There’s nothing like staring death in the eye for inspiration and motivation. Walter Trout intended on celebrating his 25th year as a solo artist with a new album and tour, but instead began a fight for his life and the need of a liver transplant. He perilously went ahead with plans to make a new album, and the result is a collection of fire-breathing confessions and tortured reflection on a life of victories and defeats outlined in 12 kickin’ tracks, titled The Blues Came Callin’.
The album opens as expected with Trout’s signature roaring guitar on the heavy rocking “Wastin’ Away,” but once the vocals come in you’re struck with the feeling that something is just not right, in the frailty and near breathless desperation in his voice. His defiance is palpable and the tirade continues through the stomping track “The World Is Going Crazy.” He then completely bares his soul on the tale of revelation “The Bottom Of the River,” conjuring up images of the bluesmen of old with his resonator guitar.
The mood lightens for the barrelhouse piano-driven “Take a Little Time,” but returns to the lowdown blues for a cover of JB Lenoir’s “The Whale.” Old friend John Mayall joins the revelry for an off-the-cuff instrumental “Mayall’s Piano Boogie”; he also adds some signature B3 to the down and dirty title track. Trout delivers more autobiographical sketches during blues rockers “Willie” and “Born in The City,” before closing the album with a seven-minute love letter to his dear wife and partner Marie, penned on a simple riff called “Nobody Moves Me Like You Do.” A lovely parting gift to her and fans worldwide.
Walter Trout
The Blues Came Callin’
(Provogue)
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rick j bowen
