WALTER TROUT POWER TRIO: Hardcore

Walter Trout Power Trio

Hardcore

© 2007 Walter Trout/Fish-Net Productions, Inc. (634479581663)

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Guitar Blues

notes

“People ask me if they should call my music blues or rock, I tell them they can call it ‘Fred’ if they must have a label.”

That remark, along with the exclamation that “the blues shouldn’t be a museum… the music ought to constantly expand and be alive,” have been expressed again and again by Walter Trout during his 35+ year career.
Born in 1951 and raised in a music-loving home in Ocean City, New Jersey, Walter Trout felt the calling to music at a young age. His first instrument was trumpet, playing in the school band. A chance meeting with the mighty Duke Ellington catapulted Trout’s pursuit of a professional music career – what Walter terms “a turning point” in his life – when the Walter’s mother orchestrated a meeting with jazz legends Ellington, Cat Anderson, Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves for the youngster’s tenth birthday. The seed was planted about a career playing music.

In the mid-1960’s Trout’s instrument of choice switched to electric guitar after hearing an album which was to change his whole appreciation of music. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band featuring Mike Bloomfield cemented Walter’s musical ambitions towards the blues genre and the electric guitar. In those vinyl grooves, Walter heard the guitar speaking to his soul, expressing what words could not. Walter Trout promised himself to learn this musical language and dedicate his life to the guitar. For hours, days, weeks, months he was locked in his bedroom practicing until his fingers bled - the obsession unfortunately turning the A-student into a high school dropout. As a shy teenager growing up in a turbulent household, his singular solace became his rapidly developing ability to express his feelings playing the guitar and his vision of becoming a professional musician.

In his late teens and early twenties, Trout played in numerous New Jersey bands, competing at the time for rank with “Steel Mill” featuring a young Bruce Springsteen. In 1973, he packed up his belongings in a VW Beetle and drove cross-country to the west coast, arriving in Los Angeles with only a few changes of clothes, a trumpet, a mandolin and his guitars.

He developed into an ace sideman, befriending and backing California blues artists, often being the only “white boy” in the black neighborhood clubs. His technique accelerated rapidly as he played with Finis Tasby, Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulsom, and Percy Mayfield, among others. The extremely meager pay was compensated by the satisfaction musical expression brought the young musician. Unfortunatley he was also developing the detrimental habits of drug and alcohol abuse shared by many fellow artists. Walter often teamed with Hammond B3 wizard Deacon Jones and the apprenticeship continued in the bands of John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thorton and Joe Tex.

By 1981, Trout’s reputation led to the invitation to join venerable blues rock band Canned Heat, where he remained through 1984. In Canned Heat he quickly learned the ways of a touring musician, traveling the US and abroad, further refining his already stunning abilities playing night after night, and confirming his reputation as a top flight lead guitarist. Trout’s substance abuse was further enabled in a band with a history of hard-partying.

When the call came to join the legendary John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Trout jumped and found himself sharing the spotlight with fellow guitarist Coco Montoya. Trout and Montoya lifted the band to a new level, as Mayall’s Bluesbreakers enjoyed unprecedented album sales and high profile tours in the US and abroad. Walter felt that playing with Mayall was as close to his childhood dream as he could get. At the same time Walter’s unhealthy habits reached a fever pitch; the band’s rider required a nightly bottle of Jack Daniel’s for Trout’s consumption. An epiphany came when the band was in East Berlin, doing shows along side of Carlos Santana. After seeing Walter playing in an intoxicated state, Carlos took him aside, and in a heartfelt conversation related that Trout was squandering the gift that God had given him. It was a turning point in Walter’s life, as a master musician and idol confided an appreciation of the young man’s talent and concerns of his self-destruction…. In fairly short order Walter Trout quit drugs and alcohol.

As Trout became clean, he felt he had more to give than a few blazing solos as a side man with the Bluesbreakers. A Danish record label and touring agency was already interested in his solo potential, after witnessing an inspired performance, when Walter led the Bluesbreakers band while Mayall was out with illness. Walter did much soul searching and decided it was time to go solo. He gathered musicians he knew from Los Angeles and called it The Walter Trout Band. The 1989 break with Mayall quickly segued into immediate extensive touring of Europe, playing large venues and music festivals, and his music was heard on mainstream radio. In the early 1990s Walter had several radio hits in Europe and charted with his unique style of blues rock. Throughout the decade, he continued a non-stop touring pace, releasing 8 recordings, steadily each lifting his profile higher.

His commercial and critical success in Europe kept him so busy outside of the US that his arrival back home found him only resting to go back to the frantic pace his popularity demanded overseas. Like many American blues and roots-music artists, Walter Trout had developed an incredible following in Europe, but came home to little fanfare. This was fine with Trout, as he now had started a family and his down time was a valuable escape from the world of touring and playing.

Amazingly, the self-titled WALTER TROUT, released by Ruf Records in 1998 was his first “official” domestic CD. Shortly after, the band renamed as Walter Trout and The Free Radicals and began an extensive touring pace state side, steadily building a fan base and bringing their high energy, impassioned live performances back home. It did not matter if he was on stage in front of 50,000 people, or performing in a small club for a couple hundred – what mattered to Walter was reaching people’s hearts through his artistry and relaying the passion he had for all the musical styles which helped shape his sound.

Since then Ruf Records has released half a dozen CDs in the US and Walter effectively continued his frequent touring, splitting time more evenly between continents. His European fans have stuck with him as he has taken more time to build his fan base in America.

For more information,please go to: http://www.waltertrout.com

reviews

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  • luv surprises
    author: paul cook

    Walter its fantastic to be able to find great sounds like this album out of the blue.keep them coming man.ps my son digs it hard out too.

  • One more superb CD
    author: Ole Ringsgaard

    That man can play guitar! Walter Trout is always great, and this Power Trio is no exception! Superb!

  • HARDCORE
    author: GENE KLAUS

    THIS ALBUM HAS GOT THE LICKS THE LYRICS AND THE PLAIN RAWNESS I LIKE ABOUT WALTER. I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD SOME GREAT PLAYERS AND HE IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. I AM GOING TO SEE HIM LIVE IN CLEVELAND OH 4-1-09 I CANT WAIT!!!!!!

  • Full-on guitar
    author: Robert Smith

    I had never heard of Walter Trout until I discovered CD-Baby. To anyone else who has not heard of him I guess you could say his style has similarities to Jimi Hendrix and Robin Trower. This guy lives and breathes the elektric blues through his guitar with a passion. Most of the tracks are marathon affairs of high guitar intensity. Be warned, the music on this CD will wrench your ears off!

  • hardcore
    author: stefan

    this has impact and power and a rolling beat that was fresh but mature!

  • Great Trout
    author: 22Hans

    Saw it Live, now the CD - great, -Walter Rock On-

  • WALTER TROUT POWER TRIO:HARDCORE
    author: ROBERT SHARP

    LOVE THAT GROOVEY SOUND!THESE GUYS CAN ROCK!

  • Another great album
    author: Ron Willemsen

    although this is't Walters best album, i surely recommend this. I saw Walter 2 times in Holland (together with my father in law) and i think he's one of the best Guitar players in the world ... and im looking forward to buy his next new album, that will be released somewhere in June. ps. A few weeks ago, we lost one of the worlds greatest blues players. My thoughts are with his family... and im sure Jeff is playing right now with Stevie...playing some great heavenly blues.

  • Great blues-rock album
    author: Dirk Clarysse

    First time I've heard about Walter Trout was when he played on the canned heat album "Live in Austalia" and the John Mayall album " behind the iron curtain" and I was totally blown away of the way he played the guitar. Since then I buy everything he brings out and I've never been disappointed. Also this album is just great and shows that Walter is on of the best guitar players in the world. Keep on the good work Walter !!

  • Excellent Album
    author: Robert

    Picked up this album at his concert last year at Johnny Chans. This is not his best album, but it is still great. I had the chance to chat with Walter between the two sets, and all I can say is BUY HIS ALBUMS! He is one of the best blues/rock guitarists in the world, and his music is diverse, original and incomparable. I also picked up his "Relentless" DVD and absoultely love it! His CDs are a treasure trove of great music, so treat yourself to it. You will absolutely postively love his music. I only gave this 4 stars because I think a couple of his other albums are a hair better. Maybe 4.5 stars would be more accurate. If you can see him life...you will be blown away.

  • author: Richard Holliday

    Walter you rock. I wish you would come to Denver. love to see you live. Love your cds.

  • Hardcore
    author: Penny

    I ordered this CD from the USA having only listened to a couple of short sample tracks on Waller Trout website. I was not disappointed by this impulse purchase. Its got it all, great rhythm, guitaring and the range of emotion in the music, just fantastic. Had a bad day, then listen to this. Stan, Penny's husband!!!!1

  • Two weeks ago I never heard of em? What was I waiting for?!!!
    author: James Langston

    Having only recently found the CD Baby website, I had never the opportunity before then to listen to the Walter Trout Trio, and WOW! I was totally blown away! I envy anyone who was in the audiences for the shows the songs on this CD were performed at. Cause this CD made for one hell of a show! And one hell of a show is what everyone is in store for who buys "Hardcore". Hard, heavy, great vocals, awesome back-up band, great songs..what more could anyone want? My new goal in life is to find as many Walter Trout Trio recordings as I can find! 5 stars!!!

  • 88 ROCK
    author: Ed Day

    Let me tell you something, this cd kicks ass and when are we going to get more of it? What a feel Trout has to the Rock Blues Scene years of playing has paid off big time need more of this stuff on the radio/ keep on rockn Walter

  • HARDCORE
    author: Cathy Tabor

    ITS A GOOD THING I BOUGHT 2 CD'S BECAUSE SOMEONE WOULDN'T BE GETTING A CHRISTMAS PRESENT IF I HADN'T!!

  • Walter scores again!!
    author: Alan Sherman

    You are either a Walter Trout fan or you have never heard of him. This would be a great place for a "newbie" to start. As usual, Walter leads the band with his faboulous intensity. The three piece band works great but in the long run, the keyboards really round out the sound. Well Done!

  • Hardcore
    author: Alan Hardie

    Personally, I enjoy hearing what Walter can do with other artists' material, so this album doesn't disappoint. If you get a chance to see his live performance......Go!

  • Hardcore
    author: Steve S.

    Walter Trout being Walter Trout as always. Another great live performance with plenty of incredible guitar leads with worthy friends that gives that pounding rockin-blues sound. CD BABY will get to ya quick. A must have!

  • WALTER TROUT HARDCORE
    author: MARK T BROWN

    AS ALWAYS,WALTER PUTS OUT ANOTHER GREAT PIECE OF WORK

  • Hardcore by Walter Trout
    author: Jessica

    What can I say but AWESOME, this CD rocks. CD Baby delivered in a timely manner- I would order from them again!

  • Excellant
    author: David Marshall

    Didn't manage to get to any of the gigs but this is vintage Trout and aptly named - real hardcore

  • The usual...
    author: Howell R J J

    ...breath-taking performance from Walter and his band. There are times when i stop breathing cos he just drags you into listening to what he is doing. Sometime, I would like him to try a few other styles but what he does in his area of sound is awesome.

  • what a surprise
    author: Ludwig H. Baumm

    I knew Walter Trout's music since 1985. But never before as a trio. This is a completele new experience and I am looking even more forward to his gig on 7-11 here in Hamburg!!!

  • The music does the talkin
    author: crossman

    Another Trout extravaganza. I have all his stuff including some imports. Love it all. The price had me cringing a bit, but after taking the plunge I have no regrets. I agree with one of the other reviewers, would have been nice to hear more of his own material in this format. Maybe we'll all be treated to an acoustic set someday where he can revamp some of his older stuff for a totally different format. I'm sure it would be great.

  • Hardcore
    author: Rudolf

    disappointment This is mij, very small, view. Every CD of Walter Trout and I have all of them,I compare with Relentless en every CD is less! Hardcore too, not bad but less.

  • cool
    author: Buddha's Revenge
  • Hard rockin' Blues
    author: Holger

    Walter's new effort is a hard rockin' Blues rendition of mainly other peoples songs. It is well crafted and fun to hear, yet I would've liked to hear more of his originals like 'life in the jungle' in this special trio format. But nevertheless a really good cd.

  • Another great Trout album
    author: Richard Milward

    Walter has done it again. This is another great issue. I was lucky enough to have been at one of the gigs on this release and the music and atmosphere have been accurately captured. Long live the king of blues/rock guitarists.

  • author: CB

    New to jump on board and mouth off on this CD - turned on at Blues Festival in Rockland Maine and hooked! No more needs to be said - give it a listen and you'll get it!!

  • "Another fresh serving of Fabulous Trout"
    author: Record Gator (west florida swamp of Louisiana)

    The accidental formation of a power trio. Ironic fate! The raw in your face sheer power and emotion proves Walter's ability to take it to another level. The Trout Trio captured live surpasses many studio blues efforts. Bring on an extended Trio Tour. Maybe Texas, MS, La & Florida?

  • another awesome walter trout release!
    author: dave c.

    another awesome walter trout release, from begining to the end total energy, smokin guitar, vocals, what more do you need? you need this cd for your collection............

  • awesome theres gotta be a word better than that for it
    author: paul beard ( the south wales hat guy )

    hardcore has gotta be one of the best blues/rock cd's ever and it came in perfect condition, and very prompt. iv'e nearly worn it out already! without a doubt a pleasure to do business with cd baby !!

  • Trust me, it is money well spent as this disc will not come out of your CD playe
    author: Keith Howe - Blue on Black

    From the opening “slide down” of Walter’s fingers on his Strat’s fret board you know you are about to be blest with a unforgettable experience of a Man and his Music captured at the Zenith of his career. “Hardcore” is (especially for those of us who were doomed to miss the original performances) a unique opportunity to realise the passion, power and sheer genius of Walter’s unique “Power Trio” line up which toured earlier this year. Now I know that Walter is used to hearing all the usual superlatives and clichés when people talk about his playing and there will be others more able than me to wax lyrical about the performances on this CD, however from a genuine Fan, all I can say is that this C.D. is THE Essential “Must Have” if you are serious about quality music and performances straight from the heart. Trust me, it is money well spent as this disc will not come out of your CD player. With over 55 minutes of Jaw dropping performances, masterfully recorded (well done Phil) you feel as if your sitting alongside the Rectifier in Walter’s MkIV from the first note to the last. It is difficult to mention any tracks with special distinction but for my ears: Tellin Stories has all the Tone and Fire of the original but with passing references to Walters’s style that has snowballed over the years. Sittin on Top of the World is a particular favourite of mine and a track that I have not had the privilege of hearing him perform before shows how tight and “In your face” the Band is with great support for Walters Guitar from Joey and Rick who play a concert worthy performances on there own/together (very reminiscent of hearing Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker locking horns and you know how good that was !) One small thing is that I always thought it a Chester Burnett number and would not have though it credited to Buddy Holly but then what do I know? So there you are, whatever your financial situation might be I implore you to buy this CD as it will inevitably form the cornerstone of this (and the next) generations Music Collection.

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