Provogue [Release date 19.08.22]
‘Ride’ is Walter Trout’s 30th album, and it’s testament to his impressive and honest song-writing skills that he avoids the trap of repeating what he’s done before.
This well crafted album barely wastes a word or a note, while his band’s intuitive accompaniment matches his own heartfelt commitment to songs that arguably lead him to a career high.
‘Ride’ is superbly produced by Eric Corne whose attention to detail allows the melodies, solos and hooks to sparkle, while Trout revels in a wide range of guitar tones flanked by intricate bv’s and harmonies which tease out a variety of emotional nuances.
He also explores different vocal attacks with some effortless phrasing that always aims to convey maximum meaning.
In that respect the opening ‘Ghosts’ sets the template for the album as a whole. The tough double-riff opening is counterweighted by expressive singing and reflective lyrics: “In my heart and in my mind, tear drops on the cheek, unforgiving and so unkind they begin to speak. You know it brings me down when I hear the words they say, No matter how hard I try, I just can’t chase those ghosts away.”
It’s a perfectly worked opener which rocks hard and is full of passion and emotion, the very elements that fuel several memorable moments here.
He quickly tops that with the surprisingly southern sounding lead single ‘Ride’, on which his blues harp replaces the familiar steam train honk. Teddy Andreadis’s expansive organ sweep and a Chuck Leavell style uplifting piano line leads us right an infectious train-time rhythm which flows mellifluously into the celebratory hook:
“I lived next to the raid road and I could hear the train go rolling by, it shook the house and it shook the bed and it would always make my spirits fly, And I was just a kid it would always make me high, I would dream about the day when I could jump aboard and ride.”
Unsurprisingly he offer a change of pace on the meditative ‘Follow You Back Home’, which like several songs here offers thoughtful couplets that would make even the most cynical listener smile: “Maybe I don’t feel enough , sometimes there’s nothing left inside, talking loud and acting tough with my bargain basement crowd.”
He’s equally good on the Gary Moore style cool slow blues of ‘Waiting For The Dawn’ which has real crossover appeal and may be the album highlight. Walter’s touch and tone is impeccable here, while his vocal is directly from the heart on a love song that drips with feel.
You could call ‘Ride’ an old school album with contemporary values as it is organic, hand-made music by the very best contemporary blues musicians.
There’s also a subtle balance at play as Trout explores diverse but musically related styles, while the sequencing facilitates the kind of flow that leads us into an unexpected gem like ‘This Fertile Soil’.
A Marie Trout co-write, it makes the most of a rolling piano and Walter’s lighter tone and what near the end sounds like a mandolin on a subtly crafted, perfectly arranged and beautifully sung Americana style number.
The difference between this album and everything he’s cut before is simply that while Walter’s post-op albums have all conveyed deep emotion and lyrical substance, on ‘Ride’ he’s found a broader musical landscape in which to express himself.
Listen for example, to the big toned sumptuous groove of ‘Better Days Ahead’ which adds the slightest touch of echo to his vocal to bring extra emotional impetus, while his coruscating solo resolves the growing tension.
The smouldering groove of ‘So Many Sad Goodbyes’ perfectly frames some poignant post covid lyrics, while he later reverts to type on a brace of rockers, tearing things up on the funky clavinet driven rocker ‘I Worry Too Much’, and the stonking ‘Leave It All Behind’.
The latter builds from a Keith Richard style opening riff and some beefy horns into an incendiary rocker on which his mid-number “c’mon c’mon” ad-lib could be interpreted as an exhortation to his band to squeeze just a little more from the track, though it barely needs it.
Everything on the album leads naturally into ‘Destiny’ the perfect book-ended love story and an apparent ode to his wife.
The mellow after hours feel combines whispered vocals, gentle brush strokes and an almost Philly soulful feel to conclude an inspired musically adventurous album.
In effect ‘Ride’ finishes in the manner he started, with the intention of penning a meaningful song with real feel while exploring a wider musical spectrum. The album succeeds in both aspects with plenty to spare, making for a 5 star ride (pun intended). *****
Review by Pete Feenstra
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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