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Artist |
Walter Trout & The Radicals |
| Title |
Go the Distance |
| Label |
Ruf Records |
| Reviewer |
Richard Proplesch |
| Rating |
 |
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Trout's affiliation with the German-based Ruf label has
created an unusual dilemma for the speed-demon blues
guitarist. He has spent so much time trying to crack the
domestic blues market (his last album was recorded live
at the Tampa Blues Fest), that few stateside listeners
realize he's actually American born and bred. As
rightful heir to Stevie Ray's fedora, however, Trout has
been bombast-heavy and cliche-burdened attempting to
duplicate his European success where he routinely tops
readers' charts and critics' polls. It's finally good to
hear him traveling in a different direction on his
latest, "Go The Distance," probably the most personal
album of his career.
Borrowing a slow boogie from his
old bosses, Canned Heat, Trout kicks off the album with
the passionate "Love So Deep," conveying his commitment
while letting the slippery licks flow from his battered
Fender. But instead of going through the motions on
another 12-bar spree, Trout's songwriting bends a little
more inward here, taking on some funky Stax/volt slides
for "Outta Control," sitting in the gospel choir for the
spiritual "Lookin' For The Promised Land," honoring an
old buddy during the poignant "Bugle Billy," eventually
strapping on an acoustic six-string for the
moving "Always Been A Dreamer."
Old fans are assured
that there's plenty of SRV-heavy raunch between the
introspective pieces, especially during the finger
freakout of "Ride 'Till I'm Satisfied" and the done-
wrong dirge "Down To You." But they should also be
excited and pleased that Trout's inspiration will also
develop him as one the blue's most diverse
practitioners, as well as its most fluent.
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© 2001 AMZ/music-reviewer.com
Robert R. Lewis
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