Walter Trout played one of his very best shows in front of his
biggest London crowd for over 5 years.
The former John Mayall/Canned Heat and John Lee Hooker guitarist already boasts
a dozen albums in his own right, with the current “Relentless” album
on Ruf being his best ever seller. It came as something of a surprise then that
the following two hour set was to be punctuated by some seemingly long forgotten
career classics ranging from the Santana influenced “Sweet As A Flower” to
the heart felt autobiographical “To Begin Again” and even a plaintive
rendition of Robert Johnson’s “Love In Vain”.
But while Trout firmly retains one foots in the blues camp, it is his potent
mixture of magnificent guitar playing and on stage passion that keeps the fans
coming back for more.
This summer Walter triumphed at the half million strong Bospop Festival in
Holland, and tonight showed he was just as much at ease playing to a packed
mid range London venue.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Walter’s playing is that he eschews
any manner of effects, relying simply on judicious use of his volume control
and a tone that has been garnered in his 3 decade plus, professional career.
On top of that he is a very strong song writer, ranging from the powerful rock
assault of “Put It Right Back On You” to a moving ballad such “Tender
Heart”.
Together with a hardened road band that includes the explosive Joey Pafumi
on drums, Trout worked his socks off and fully deserved his two encores;
Earlier on, guests The Ian Parker Band showed an all too rare willingness to let his lyrics do the talking with an introspective but soulful set that, allied with his mighty White Boy Soul vocals, marks him out as a major talent for the future.
Pete Feenstra