WALTER TROUT: We're All In This Together (BLUES): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

With "Battle Scars" (2015), Walter Trout had offered a true testimony in which emotion was the cement. Back from a terrible illness, he had made a therapy by this opus that had touched the fans right in the heart. After a tour with his son and a live entitled "Alive In Amsterdam" (2016) whose title spoke for itself, the legendary singer-guitarist is back with a record whose concept remains original. Indeed, if constituting an entire album of duets has nothing exceptional, composing each track according to the personality of the guest is much more rare and risky.

But at the age of 66, Walter Trout is not afraid of anything anymore and intends to enjoy his new life freely. He takes up this challenge with flying colors, revealing an address book that leaves you dreaming. For each of the 14 tracks that make up this "We're All In This Together", they are all top performers who share the microphone, the guitar and other instruments with the (over)living legend of blues-rock. Only his son (Jon Trout), although he is beginning to be popular in the music world, seems to be escaping the limelight. It should be noted that the track shared by the father and son ('Do You Still See Me At All ?') proves once again the complicity between the two singers and guitarists after their common presence on "Alive In Amsterdam". The numerous guitar soli have nothing to envy to those of other legends that we have the pleasure to find throughout this opus, but only Warren Haynes ('The Sky Is Crying', full of emotions) and Randy Bachman ('Got Nothin' Left') succeed in reaching such a complicity with the master of the place.

To quote each title and each interpreter could quickly prove to be painful, which would not pay the tribute that it deserves to this "We're All In This Together" which can easily be considered as a positive echo of "Battle Scars". For, as much as the latter expressed the darkness of an ordeal that will leaven imprint on its author until the end of his days, the new album is bright and catchy. In the register of the exceptions, we will note however 'The Other Side Of The Pillow', heavy blues on which the deep and disillusioned vocals, and the shining harmonica of Charlie Musselwhite come to reinforce the oppressing slowness of the title. In a more reptilian register, 'Too Much To Carry' benefits from an intervention in the same register from John Nemeth. Not to miss the light and melancholic touch of an acoustic and old school 'Blues For Jimmy T.' on which Walter Trout finds his mentor of all times: John Mayall.

Each track would deserve to be presented and it seems unfair not to linger on the powerful and dynamic 'Gonna Hurt Like Hell' (with Kenny Wayne Shepherd) and 'We're All In This Together' (with Joe Bonamassa), on the masterly instrumental 'Mr. Davis' (with Robben Ford) and on the 'Blues For Jimmy T.' (with John Mayall). But what finally comes back for each song is the ability of Walter Trout to put each participant in optimal conditions so that he can feel at ease and give the best of himself. The true genius of the master of ceremony is to have composed titles adapted to each of his guests. The latter thank him by offering a true collection of marvels that any amateur of the genre will absolutely owe. - Official website

WALTER TROUT

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

MASCOT LABEL GROUP

BLUES