Posted by: Kevin Kiley, Verve Nightlife

Susan Tedeschi
Saturday, November 22
Barrymore Theatre
8:00 p.m.

I had the pleasure of seeing the up-and-coming Susan Tedeschi in 2000 at the Madison Blues Fest in 2000. The stunning and slight Tedeschi took the stage and proceeded to tear through an impressively raw blues set almost stealing the show from blues stalwarts Buddy Guy and B.B. King who headlined the bill. The Madison Blues Fest, sadly, is no longer, but Tedeschi is still going strong. She hits the Barrymore stage Saturday night.



Tedeschi, who grew up just outside of Boston, exploded onto the contemporary blues scene with her debut album, “Just Won’t Burn” in 1998. The album ranged from the hard charging “It Hurt So Bad” to the beautiful, passionate cover of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery.” This set the tone for Tedeschi’s career to this point and demonstrated that the dominant voice comparisons – equal parts Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt – are apt. She has since released three albums that continue her formula of urban, electric blues infused with traditional blues, soul, classic R&B and hints of gospel. She’s currently touring in support of “Back to the River,” which was released in October.



It is clear from her musical influences and her family life – she’s married to the Allman Brothers’ Derek Trucks and named her children after jazz greats Charlie Parker and John Coltrane – that Tedeschi lives and breathes the music that she plays.