The Tedeschi Trucks Band and Leon Russell Present: Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited (LIVE AT LOCKN’)
The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited (LIVE AT LOCKN’) is a soul-stirring, ambitious tribute to Joe Cocker and Leon Russell’s original and iconic 1970 live album of the same name, captured during a historic performance at the 2015 LOCKN’ Festival in Virginia. This 14-track live recording, paired with the documentary Learning to Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs & Englishmen (2021), is a testament to the enduring power of communal music-making, re-imagining a seminal moment in rock history with reverence, energy, and fresh perspective. Led by the husband-and-wife duo of Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi and their bandmates, who assembled a sprawling ensemble at LOCKN’ that year, that would swell to over 20 musicians, including original Mad Dogs members Rita Coolidge, Claudia Lennear, and Chris Stainton, alongside special guests like Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Robinson, Warren Haynes, Anders Osborne, and Dave Mason. The result is a joyous, raucous celebration that channels the original’s raw, soulful spirit while infusing it with TTB’s signature blend of Southern soul, blues, and rock. The setlist is a love letter to the original Mad Dogs & Englishmen, featuring classics like “The Letter,” “Feelin’ Alright,” “The Weight,” and “With A Little Help From My Friends.” Susan Tedeschi’s commanding vocals anchor tracks like “The Letter” and “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” the latter a personal highlight and also showcasing the stellar backing vocal trio of Alecia Chakour, Mark Rivers, and Mike Mattison. Their harmonies, backed by a robust horn section and gospel-inspired fervor, elevate the song to a euphoric peak. Tedeschi’s vocal power blends seamlessly with the ensemble’s dynamic interplay, proving why Tedeschi Trucks Band is considered one of the best bands playing on any given night.
Derek Trucks’ slide guitar work is a revelation throughout, adding fluidity and emotional depth to tracks like “Delta Lady” and “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window.” His ability to honor the original arrangements while imprinting his own signature sound is a masterclass in musicianship. Guest performances shine brightly as well. Dave Mason’s lead vocals on “Feelin’ Alright” (a song he originally wrote) carry a nostalgic weight, while Chris Robinson’s raw energy on “Sticks and Stones” and “With A Little Help From My Friends” adds grit and heart. Claudia Lennear’s soulful turn on “Girl From the North Country” and Rita Coolidge’s tender delivery on “Bird On The Wire” evoke the spirit of the 1970 tour, bridging past and present. The recording’s production captures the live energy of the LOCKN’ performance with clarity and warmth, balancing the chaos of a 20-plus-member ensemble with the intimacy of individual contributions.
The horn section, led by Kebbi Williams (saxophone), Ephraim Owens (trumpet), and Elizabeth Lea (trombone), provides a punchy backbone, while (then) bassist Tim Lefebrve’s foundation, along with the late Kofi Burbridge’s robust keyboards and the dual-drum attack of Tyler ‘Falcon’ Greenwell and J.J. Johnson drive the rhythm with a relentless groove.
The communal spirit of the original Mad Dogs tour, born out of both necessity and spontaneity in 1970, is mirrored here, with Tedeschi Trucks Band and their guests embracing the same sense of camaraderie and creative freedom. Tracks like “Let’s Go Get Stoned” and “The Weight” stand out for their emotional resonance and vocal interplay, with the latter featuring a stunning lineup of Tedeschi, Coolidge, Lennear, Pamela Polland, and Doyle Bramhall II. “The Letter,” the album’s first single, is a fiery opener, with Tedeschi’s vocals soaring over Trucks’ searing guitar lines.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited is more than a tribute and archival recording; it’s a living document of music’s ability to connect generations. The inclusion of original members alongside contemporary heavyweights like Warren Haynes and Anders Osborne underscores the timelessness of Cocker and Russell’s vision. The accompanying documentary adds depth, weaving archival footage with new interviews that add context to the 1970 tour’s chaotic brilliance as well as Tedeschi Trucks Band’s heartfelt revival. More than forty-five years after the original, Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited (LIVE AT LOCKN’) is a triumphant celebration of a rock ‘n’ roll milestone, delivered with passion, precision, and soul. It’s a must-listen for fans of TTB, Leon Russell and Joe Cocker, or really anyone who cherishes the raw, communal energy of live music. The album captures a once-in-a-lifetime performance that honors its roots while forging new ground, proving that the spirit of Mad Dogs & Englishmen remains as vibrant and necessary as ever.
Find more information here: https://www.tedeschitrucksband.com
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band in Tulsa
Track Listing:
Tedeschi Trucks Band and Leon Russell Present: Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited (LIVE AT LOCKN’)
1. The Letter – ft. Susan Tedeschi
2. Darling Be Home Soon – ft. Susan Tedeschi & Doyle Bramhall II
3. Dixie Lullaby – ft. Doyle Bramhall II
4. Sticks and Stones – ft. Chris Robinson
5. Girl From the North Country – ft. Claudia Lennear
6. Let’s Go Get Stoned – ft. Susan Tedeschi
7. Feelin’ Alright – ft. Dave Mason & Anders Osborne
8. She Came in Through the Bathroom Window – ft. Warren Haynes & Anders Osborne
9. Bird On The Wire – ft. Rita Coolidge & Doyle Bramhall II
10. The Weight – ft. Rita Coolidge, Pamela Polland, Susan Tedeschi, Claudia Lennear & Doyle Bramhall II
11. Delta Lady – ft. John Bell
12. Space Captain – ft. Susan Tedeschi & Chris Robinson
13. With A Little Help From My Friends – ft. Chris Robinson, Susan Tedeschi, Dave Mason & Doyle Bramhall II
The Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen
