Already Free (US)

Rolling Stone (p.68) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Trucks hones the R&B, jazz and Middle Eastern influences of his previous outings into a tight groove on ALREADY FREE." Entertainment Weekly (p.67) - "Trucks' bluesy playing is excellent throughout, though he knows when to cede space to vocalist Mike Mattison or guest Doyle Bramhall II..." -- Grade: B+ Down Beat (p.84) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Trucks' consistently questing music is as rooted in Mumbai as it is Macon, as he deftly incorporates international influences and core Americana attitudes to create a fusion unlike any other." Dirty Linen (p.37) - "Trucks and his bandmates go beyond the Southern rock on which he's built his reputation. Though he has plenty of opportunity to showcase his chops, the album is strengthened by Trucks' willingness to share the spotlight..." Living Blues (p.38) - "Especially chilling is the churchy title tune, on which composers Trucks and Mattison conjure up the ghost of Blind Willie Johnson with their overdubbed guitars and vocals..."

ジョン・メイヤー、ジョン・フルシアンテと並び〈現代の3大ギタリスト〉として君臨する彼の、バンド名義では3年ぶりとなる6作目。初のセルフ・プロデュース盤ということもあり、ブルースもジャズもインド音楽も……と己の音楽嗜好をすべて封じ込めたような内容だが、クラプトン・バンド仲間であるドイル・ブラムホールの助力も功を奏していつも以上に統一感は取れている印象だ。ミディアム中心の構成も聴きやすくてグッド!
bounce (C)高木 陽子