Rocker Derek Trucks Interviewed by Jim Clash

[TheDistortionist]

DJANGO REINHARDT GOT TAKEN OFF THE FUCKIN' LIST?!?!?! ARE YOU SHITTING ME?!?!?!

[galidune]

i want someone to ask Derek if he believes in reincarnation.

[judecreek2]

@galidune Me, too. I would swear he WAS an Allman.

[guitarmessiah95]

Trucks started touring at 11 i started playing when i was 11 lol

[fuel126]

trucks sounds almost british lol

[deadheadkenny]

I first saw Derek when he was 15 at a bar in Florida. From the 3rd note he did of Santana's "Europa" I was hooked. Got to hang with him after a show in 2000 and he was sooooo down to earth. I've turned alot of people onto Derek sayin " You have to see this kid" EVERYONE of them has left the show saying " Holy crap he can play"

[TheJuliusJT]

I love the way he talks..

[charminggent77]

Great to hear Derek talk. He lets his music/ guitar do all the talking with his Stoic persona on stage but he comes across well in the interview. It is amazing how he plays and equally amazing how he cuts out an emotion when plays. Although his lips tremble ever so slightly:)

[cathodez]

That Cream jacket is classic.

[MaJoad52]

Guess the interviewer was using the tour with Clapton and the Rolling Stone "list" in their conversation as points of connection with Derek. I agree that Jim Clash should've moved on and discussed more current projects like dTb. The question about American Idol was very weird.

Being the modest and classy person that he is, Derek was gracious and polite and revealed the kind of positive outlook he has. Sadly the interview ended without exploring the amazing life and talent of Derek Trucks.

[cwhanna]

All, music, is an ARTFORM there is NO good better or best, first or last, winningest or losing, it as an aesthetic creative and spiritual achievement, there is only your opinion and your tastes, comparable to others . Enjoy what you like and stop judging out loud for everyone else, we will all make up our own minds anyway. Derek is a tremendous musician/artist and he would never put another artist down by individual name or label himself above others specifically. OAO over and out

[taildragger51]

cwhanna: Ah yes..but in music there IS a difference between PHONEY and REAL. Trucks is for real.

[Carac3]

Agreed. Music is not a competition. Take it easy fellas. Just enjoy everyone for what they do.

[Leighbo1]

I third that motion.

[blessie25]

yes, its about expressing their different styles.

[freerunninfrog13]

You're all idiots if you say Derek Trucks is better than Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck or any of em. Music is not a competion, each musician can do something another can't. Plus come on, such statements are absurd and totally founded on your opinion.

[taildragger51]

freerunningfrog13: There are some that are more versatile though. OK...just try putting Clapton into a jazz environment and see what happens. I've seen him try to play jazz..he runs out of ideas after the first bar. Embarrassing. This is because he plays the same 4 blues licks over jazz changes. Put Trucks into a jazz setting and he's at home. DT's imagination is unique! Even with Indian musicians Derek flourishes. Plus DT is one of the nicest guys around. (rare among guitarists)

[rosehipsforu]

Im so in love with Derek. Susan is a lucky girl.

[irtimed]

I'm sorry but derek is 10 times better than clapton. not saying clapton isn't good or anything.

[Deorca]

Derek's 10 times better than almost any guitarist you care to mention. There are any number of first-rate guitarists in the world. Legends, some of them. But, and this takes nothing away from those other guys, Derek Trucks is something else. With any lead guitarist, the idea is to get the instrument to sing, like a voice. He goes beyond even that, though. Incredible guy.

[freerunninfrog13]

Not true.

[3117ss]

check out kirk lorange....lot of depth

[taildragger51]

Deorca: Have to give you the thumbs up Deorca! It's true that there is no real "best" BUT playing music is about freedom of expression, like a language vocabulary. The more 'words' you know the richer the 'phrases'. Most guitarists stick to the stock, predictable, repetitive, pentatonics. Derek is like a musical East/West dictionary that never repeats itself. Derek is the John Coltrane of guitar and even has Tranes humility & free spirit.

[vansheen]

I like the yuppy host showing off the Cream jacket. Tickets for that show were ridiculously priced, I wonder how much the jacket cost.

Aw man...

[andrewt248]

I think he would have done better to not call Derek a "blues guitarist". His influences and playing style are far more diverse than that!

[RockandRolRadio3]

What an all around down to earth guy. And the best part of it all is that, he's never talking about how much of a legend he is, thats what a good guitarist is. Its not about how good you are, but how well you present it.

[taildragger51]

RockandRolRadio3: Your remark was PERFECT! Somewhere Wes Montgomery is smiling proudly and looking on at Derek play. Especially when Derek plays Wes's "Bock To Bock". (what an amazing solo!)

[robert140602]

What a grounded,down to earth guy Derek is.Refreshing.I saw him on the Clapton tour,along with Robert Cray in support.I thought Trucks and Cray the better players.Clapton is over rated in my opinion.I'm a big fan of Claptons,paid 50 quid for a ticket to see him(twice now)but feel he isn't the best,nor has he ever been.

[taildragger51]

robert140602: I saw Clapton from his early days in 1965. That same year i saw Wes Montgomery and Clapton was bigger than Wes back then.(though Wes was unique and no copyist) Eric's TONE is what set him apart back then but he hasn't said anything new since 1968. He doesn't HAVE to push himself. He's a celebrity rather than a Bluesman. But if you're looking for honest musicality and free spirit Derek Trucks wins me over.

[robert140602]

I'll go along with that, taildragger51.Thanks for the honest reply.

[fendergolden1]

I agree, Clapton is just ok for me I liked him in the cream years. I love the way trucks expresses him self thorough the guitar very unique.

Im 24 wish i was alive back in the 60s/70 thats were all the

Music was.

I also like John Mayer It kills a lot of hard core guitarist fans to admit that Mayer is one of the best guitarist out today as well.

[taildragger51]

fendergolden1: Eric's tone is what made him great back in 1968. John Mayer maybe great but, to me, he's sort of another SRV wannabe.(sorry any JM fans) SRV at least shone the light on jazz guitarists like Grant Green & Kenny Burrell and was extremely versatile. For me,basic humility in a musician is what's appealing and the ability to not take himself too seriously and become a poser. Derek Trucks is one of the few who inspires me. He's just superb.

[terrassl]

Ya gotta hand it to a guy who just made a list of the top 100 guitarists of all time who is still so down to earth and genuine. Whatever happened to class? He still has it.

[bunkman64]

I met him outside the Florida Theatre here in Jax at the end of December. Great guy and very accomidating to the fans. If only more entertainers were like him!

[ewoldt]

Derek and his band came to Iowa City to play 2004 show on a Wednesday. He sat in on blues night on Monday($1 cover) and Tuesday($1 cover) and kicked ass on Wednesday night. We ran into him in the alley after the Wednesday show. Anyone who will shake your hand and have a conversation at 1:30 a.m. is a good man.

[skint0n0minted]

@terrassl if Django and Albert King isn't on the list. they clearly don't know much about real music

[thenut8522]

@terrassl @howlinfish Well said on both counts

[philbigtime]

I'm glad that the music community has finally come around to judging guitarists based on the faces they make. We've been listening to the music for far too long.

[Kirkola]

I dig Derek

[husky720]

Snotra DO NOT INSULT SRV IN ANY WAY THAT IS BLASPHEMY YOU SON OF A BITCH AHHHHHH

[lainger1717]

well done Trucks!!!!!!!!!!!

[Snotra]

When I first started seeing SRV on the scene I thought hes an okay guitar player but I though he was going over board with the facial grins. This guy is stone face but puts out more heart and feel than SRV. Not to mention he has better guitar tone. Strat..ppffttt! Sustain of a banjo.

[akoustikkick]

.. I hope i'm not the only one that wants to knock the shit out of you for feeling the need to post your SRV opinion .. even if it is just an opinion .. thank you come again.

[EatTheSun]

ouch man, you cant compare the two, apples and oranges man

[Octopusbeak]

True, and that goes for all guitarists (will the bickerers ever figure that out?). Texas blues and Latin have a lot in between them.

[allmanbrothersfan816]

i only have one thing to say

DEREK TRUCKS IS THE REINCARNATION OF

DUANE ALLMAN

AND THIS IDIOT INTERVIEWING HIM DIDN'T ONCE ASK HIM ABOUT HIS INFLUENCES

[Jack458111]

he did say he watches spongebob.. thats where he gets all that slide from

[bunkman64]

I don't think this was the entire interview. I'm sure it has been edited to the liking of whoever posted it.

[stones0731]

number 81? blaaah lol. yea but its like the all time list so go figure. charlie christian was the man too, i wish i could have been around in his time. Go Derek!

[j3rrygarcia]

hes such a g

[ctjazzking]

This kid is a God! Mix him with Warren #23 On Rolling Stones & verry verry good guitarist You have an amazing allman Bros theres noband better then them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

[MOSKII58]

Ya gotta love this kid, or guy now, but so so humble, god bless you Derek trucks and thank you..

[slayerdeadskinmask]

Class Act.

[poodlenme]

Derek has the greatest slide chops next to Duane Allman. He is the best out there today and he is so personalible and friendly. Keep that gentle spirit Derek. YOu are keeping the Duane vibe alive!

[chrismilleral]

also... just noticed... DAVID GILMORE at 82???? WHAT? how in the world do you put the guys in radiohead above david gilmore?

[chrismilleral]

typo... gilmour. sorry.

[NJlo]

Hmm to be honest Radiohead over Gilmour is - though politically incorrect - not as far out as putting hacks like punk and grunge guitarists over the both of 'em. One exception of good playing in grunge is Kim Thayil and he's on 99..

[Kraluth]

Cobain being at 10 was when I stopped reading that article. His songwriting was his strong point, and his guitar playing/arrangement was only "adequate".

That and a few other examples on that list (Gilmour being at 82 for one) definitely make me think that no credible guitar players contributed to that article.

[budman2xxx]

You are correct. The writers at Rolling Stone remind me of Sprots writers. they can critize but can't do it themselves. What do you call a guitarist that know two chords? a critic....

[chrismilleral]

ok... any list that has derek at 81,, johnny ramone, kurt kobain, chuck berry and jack white in the top 20 is a complete political load of crap. It obviously wasnt compiled by guitar players because i dont know anyone that would agree with any of that. personally, i'd put derek against anyone in the top 20 (with the possible exception of duane and SRV) and he'd smoke them on stage. I love clapton as much as anyone but derek is a better player.

[MOSKII58]

i agree w/ most of what you are saying,although i don't think there is anyone that can smoke Eric although i do feel he is over-rated and i appreciate him more as a package artist who sings & writes as great as he plays, no one ever hardly mentions Erics soulful voice and brilliant career of "Evergreens" AS HE COMMONLY REFERs TO GREAT TUNES. that list is way messed up.. Eddie van halen at like #61..that list needs to be revised and only Duane Allmans position i agree whole-heartedly with..peace

[Stefanrocks]

hendrix is amazing but i still dont think he should be #1

[xledzepplinx]

personally i do, he might not be as fast as the ones today but he started alot for music in general. he also has so much soul and is very creative

[jbpasley]

saw him last week at jazz fest.. fucking amazing!

[nycblocparti]

do you watch american idol............... what kind of question is that

[epiphoneguy19]

rolling stone is nothing more then a joke.

still n honor,and trucks definitely deserves it.

actually, lists of 'greatest guitarists' are pretty much a joke.

[bnapoleonc123]

They contributed to the break up of Cream in the 60's by their negativity, and then hated on Led Zeppelin for the best part of thirty years which says it all really.

[tomjunowak]

the interviewer says that eric was at number 4 on rolling stones list of 100 graetest guitarist. he's actualy #5.

[FTStratLP]

Those ratings are highly "overrated"

[Aegis90]

no he is actually fourth :P...

[tomjunowak]

yes you are correct. my memory has served me wrong lol.

[jimmyjubejube]

greatest guitarist that ever lived

[bottleneckslide]

Yes Trucks has a lot of class. Modest to say the least. He will carry on a huge legacy.

[mytheropy]

Jim -

I wish you would have asked more questions about his group. It was greating seeing Derek. He's the next generation of Great Musicians.

[howlinfish]

Rolling Stone magazine is no longer a music magazine. It's nothing but a vehicle for those selling a "life style" of consumerism, and hedonism.

Avoid it all all cost.

[lyrixexplicit]

@howlinfish it is still the best music magazine out there that is widely available and even if it is a vehicle for hedonism whats wrong with being a hedonist?

[ABBPhan81]

@howlinfish Its become the MTV of magazines

[FredGuadalupe]

when he talked about omissions....oh man took the words right out of my mouth...especially when he said that there were a lot of hacks that made the list...oh man. i just can't believe that joe pass or wes montgomery didn't make it either.

i met derek briefly at a show and what a class act...he would suggest to take himself off that list to put another guitarist on. pure class.

[cmatthews926]

The list was so rigged. Jack white AND Kurt Cobain made TOP 20. don't get me wrong cobain was an innovator and had tremendous influence, but top 20? Better than Van Halen, Gilmour, John Mclaughlin? BETTER THAN HAYNES!? Fuck Rolling Stones Mag. as far as i'm concerned

[garyguitar]

You're right. That was mostly a ridiculous list. Shows you where Rolling Stone has gone--down the tube.

[MeTV333]

right on maestro right on

[devsjunkie]

Outstanding!

[bluesdoc]

Derek Trucks is the master!!!!

[juani29]

I LOVE DEREK TRUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DerekM8690]

Derek kicks ass! :)

[maestrodrst]

I love to hear him say that it was unjust to have Charlie Christian, Django and Albert king (and I also think chet atkins for example) didn't make the list. It really makes me respect him a lot more. He seems like a great guy (and yes he is a killer guitar player). thanks for this upload good interview.

[taylor410ce]

have you seen that list before? when i saw it i got pissed off! some how people like Jack white beat people like Derek Trucks and Trey Anastasio .