CD Review: Walter Trout – “ALIVE In Amsterdam” (Provogue)
Recorded on November 28, 2015 at the Royal Theatre Carré
in Amsterdam, ALIVE In Amsterdam
marks a true comeback for Walter Trout, a return to form, coupled with his 2015
album Battle Scars, after a liver
transplant in 2014. As should be expected with any Trout release, the guitar
wizardry starts early and often (“Help Me,” “I’m Back,” “Rock Me Baby”) and
there’s even some love for the late B.B. King with “Say Goodbye To the Blues,”
one of the album’s shining moments. At one point, Trout and company rattle off
a half dozen straight Battle Scars cuts
(“Almost Gone,” “Omaha,” “Tomorrow Seems So Far Away,” “Playin’ Hideaway,”
“Haunted By the Night,” “Fly Away”), leading listeners through disc one and onto
disc two, which features ALIVE In
Amsterdam’s most poignant moment when an audience member literally shouts
out for “Marie’s Mood” and the band responds by actually playing it. For blues
fans, fans of great guitar work or fans of strength and perseverance who love a
good comeback tale, ALIVE In Amsterdam
is a must.
Grade: B+
Go Download: “Help Me”
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