Hope and Desire

1	You Got the Silver 2:52
2	Soul of a Man 3:15
3	Lord Protect My Child 4:45
4	Tired of My Tears 2:42
5	Share Your Love with Me 3:49
6	Evidence 3:43
7	Sweet Forgiveness 4:47
8	Security 2:56
9	Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever 3:57
10	Magnificent Sanctuary Band 3:01
11	Follow 6:48
12	The Danger Zone 2:42

Barnes & Noble

While she's established herself as a triple threat over the past decade or so -- infusing her albums and live performances with virtuosic guitar playing, incisive songwriting, and raw, passionate singing -- Susan Tedeschi chose to concentrate fully on the third element in that mix for her fourth studio album. Tedeschi pretty much leaves her guitar in its case, deferring to the tandem of Doyle Bramhall II and Derek Trucks (the latter of whom, for the uninitiated, is also her husband) and choosing songs from the catalogs of some of the most respected artists of the past half century. Unlike most "covers" discs, however, Hope and Desire retraces precious little well-traveled ground: While Tedeschi takes a shot at interpreting Dylan, she chooses to offer up an intimate, decidedly personal version of "Lord Protect My Child" instead of remaking one of Zimmy's better-known tunes. Similarly, she cherry-picks "You Got the Silver" from the sea of Rolling Stones songs, keeping its country-blues tenor but giving it a more rustic tinge than Keith Richards did. The disc's best cuts allow Tedeschi's voice to cut through with a minimum of accompaniment, notably her spin on Otis Redding's "Security" and a breathless version of "Soul of a Man," an undeservedly overlooked gem from the catalog of Fontella Bass. It's rare for an album of covers to seem like an act of progress rather than water-treading, but Hope and Desire comes across just that way -- a full-speed-ahead chug that inexorably coaxes the listener along for the ride. David Sprague

All Music Guide

On her first outing in three years and her freshman offering for Verve's Forecast label, Susan Tedeschi digs deep into the soul and R&B fakebook for inspiration and comes out a winner. With an all-star band that includes guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, pianist David Palmer, organist Jebin Bruni, bassist Paul Bryan, drummer Jay Bellerose, and guests including husband Derek Trucks and the Blind Boys of Alabama, Tedeschi goes down into her own heart's well for inspiration. Wonderfully produced by Joe Henry, Hope and Desire is truly a singer's showcase of passion and class; she has signature phrasing and is an excellent interpreter. Henry proves that Tedeschi is one hell of a singer. From the roots-country blues of the Jagger and Richards opener, "You Got the Silver," to the hardcore soul of Otis Redding's "Security" (her version is closer to the Etta James reading than Redding's but Tedeschi puts her own hard spin on it), the garbage-can blues guitar of Percy Mayfield's ripping "The Danger Zone," and the finger-poppin' R&B of "Tired of My Tears," Tedeschi proves she's second to none by wringing every ounce of truth from these classic tunes. In addition, her subtle, to-the-bone reading of Bob Dylan's "Lord Protect My Child" (with great Dobro work by Trucks), a definitive version of Iris DeMent's "Sweet Forgiveness," and Dorsey Brunette's "Magnificent Sanctuary Band" offer solid proof that Tedeschi can sing gospel as well. In fact, based on the evidence here, she can sing any damn thing she likes and move your heart, making you believe every word and wail in the grain of a song. That's as high a compliment as one can pay. Thom Jurek