Photo by David McClister

On Friday, November 1, Tedeschi Trucks Band pulled into the Saenger Performing Arts Theater in New Orleans as part of their current Deuces Wild tour. Night one conjured a standard performance for the husband-and-wife duo and their band, who made a point to nod to the Crescent City with distinct covers and pulls that showcased their understanding of the locality and its historic place in music. As a follow-up, Saturday’s final stand included a special guest and regional stalwart, George Porter Jr. 

Setting course, TTB stepped back in time, pulling from 2011’s Revelator, ultimately moving through their discography and landing on Let Me Get By feature, “I Want More.” The originals preluded the night’s initial cover, a take on George Harrison’s “Isn’t It a Pity,” followed by a take on Eddie Kirkland’s “I Must Have Done Somebody Wrong.” Interspersing cuts off of I Am The Moon, Made Up Mind, and a return to their debut before treating the crowd to a take on the Allman Brothers Band’s Come and Go Blues. 

The group closed the concert’s first frame after “Yes We Will,” returning to the stage for another batch of cover material, which culled originals from Derek and the Dominos and Prince. “Let Me Get By” was performed in full just before Porter Jr.’s arrival. Embracing his hosts, the bassist addressed the audience, telling them: “Hello, New Orleans. How ‘bout it for these guys, man? This is the tightest band on the planet… On the planet,” he emphasized. The group touched on Porter Jr.’s history without further exclamation, reprising The Meters’ “It Ain’t No Use.”

Notably, the number represented a bust out for TTB, who performed the Rejuvenation cut for the first time since 2012 during Saturday night’s concert, according to setlist.FM. Following Porter Jr.’s stage time, the billed ensemble dipped into Tedecschi’s simmering classic “Just Won’t Burn” before following up with fan favorite “Midnight in Harlem.” Before closing their time in New Orleans, the band performed a take on “Get What You Deserve” and “Bound For Glory,” ultimately stepping back out for the night’s encore, “Let’s Go Get Stoned.” 

Scroll down to watch a fan-shot video of Porter Jr.’s sit-in below.