Soul Serenade may also be considered the band's third album, as it was recorded in its entirety before Joyful Noise, but was held up in legalities,[2] and therefore released later.

In a review for AllMusic, Robert L. Doerschuk wrote: "By almost any measure, this is a jazz album; the only references to rock can be heard in the overdriven tone and bluesy slide phrasing that Trucks consistently employs...

The rhythm feel is subtle... with an understated swing that borrows from this or that corner of world music but unmistakably centers itself on jazz practice.

"[6] In an article for All About Jazz, C. Michael Bailey remarked: "Derek Trucks may safely be considered the logical extension of the art of Duane Allman without simply being an imitation... the guitarist proves himself a clever and capable leader, not afraid to visit new or old themes.

"[7] Billboard's Philip van Vleck noted that the tunes on the album "evince Trucks' continuing gravitation toward jazz in particular and eclecticism in general," and called his guitar work "adventuresome and powerful."