(Sony Masterworks)

Comparisons between the Derek Trucks and Allman Brothers bands are inevitable. Guitarist Derek is the nephew of veteran Allmans’ drummer Butch Trucks and played with the touring line-up in recent years, while his free-flowing technique recalls the great Duane.

But the music from Derek and his own band over a decade surpassed mere southern blues-rock.

To listen to previews of tracks from this album, press the play button

Their refreshing stylistic breadth earned a 2009 Grammy for the superb studio album, ‘Already Free’, while ‘Roadsongs’, a double live swansong, reveals even greater onstage depth.

Derek’s fluent picking and slide-work are complemented by Mike Mattison’s gravelly vocal lead, Kofi Burbidge’s multi-faceted keyboards and reeds, plus a dynamic rhythm trio.

Several of the tracks are extended versions of songs that appeared on the 2009 CD, including a sublime rendition of Dylan’s Down In The Flood, the incendiary original Get What You Deserve and soaring Already Free, with eastern overtones and an almost transcendental feel.

It’s no surprise their repertoire includes an epic jazz exploration on Mongo Santamaria’s Afro Blue (featuring Burbridge’s fluent flute and sax) as well as Broonzy, Marley and Clapton. Good news is Trucks and most of the band have teamed up with Derek’s wife, guitarist-singer Susan Tedeschi.

– Mike Daly