Page 60 - BiTS_04_APRIL_2024_Neat

Walter Trout—Broken—Provogue

I am really in two minds about this album. Walter Trout has a back
catalogue and history practically second to no other contemporary
musician. His run-in with imminent death and the drama of his
liver transplant have elevated him to an almost mythical level. He
is a master of his craft and has the most wonderful touch and tone

in his axework. This album is a searing cry for something which
remains unidentified: Redemption? Forgiveness? Release? Who
knows?

The production and artistry on show here are exemplary and the
inclusion of Beth Hart, Will Wilde and Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider is inspired and their
contributions (particularly Wilde’s ) are superlative too. But, and here it comes—thoughout the
first and second listenings to the album, I just kept wondering “What does this have to do with
the blues?”

Walter knows his blues and would not have spent so many years with Mr Mayall were it not so.
But with the possible single exception of ‘Bleed’ which is said to be Hooker style boogie and does,
without a doubt drive along, the rest of the music is blues in only the loosest sense.

No, the emphasis is on the rock end of the definition. Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing
per se wrong with that but, isn't it about time we stopped tying this stuff to the blues?

Outstanding as the musicianship and vocal deliveries are, this ain’t the blues. To be sure a song
like ‘Turn and Walk Away’ has echoes of the kind of rural music espoused by “Oh, Brother Where
Art Thou?” T-Bone Burnett would love it. But that ain’t the blues either!

Ian K. McKenzie

Canned Heat—Finyl Vinyl—Ruf RF 20951 (LP and CD)

Close to sixty years after they were founded, Canned Heat, still
with their founder drummer Fito de la Parra went into the studio
to make this album which may (OR MAY NOT) be their swan song.

The band bring their current line-up, i.e. guitarist, keyboard player
and singer Jimmy Vivino, harpman and singer Dale Spalding and
Richard "Rick" Reed on bass and add a few guests to the mix and
bring us (YES) B-L-U-E-S, with a vengeance. Guests include the

ubiquitous Mr Bonnamassa and the exemplary Dave Alvin as
guitarist and singer.
There is much to savour here, including six new songs (three each) from Jimmy Vivino and Dale

Spalding.

The opener on the album is Vivino’s ‘One Last Boogie’, but is it? The Canned Heat boogie beat is
to the fore and this is the blues!

Ian K McKenzie