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World Class Blues Guitar

Not one, but two superb guitarists lined-up for this Newcastle gig.

Walter Trout can be found on many a top ten list of the world’s greatest blues guitarists.

Walter has been gigging in the Northeast for over a decade and has justly earned his big fan base for his masterly control of the guitar. Over the years he has played with some of the giants of blues such as John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, John Mayall and Canned Heat. His between the eyes direct approach and passion for the blues puts Trout firmly in the premier league of blues guitar greats. 

With an outstanding technique, this imposing big American is not the shy, retiring type, but likes to get up there, go eyeball to eyeball with the fans and deliver the blues to the spot that matters. His ability to burn up and down the guitar neck made him a sought after sideman for John Lee Hooker, which eventually launched a solo career after cutting his teeth in the same way that Eric Clapton and Peter Green did, by playing in John Mayall’s band. Trouty loves the Northeast, “I love playing here, you guys know your blues, the audiences just go wild and I can even understand what you guys are talking about!”

As if Walter Trout isn’t enough to more than fill any blues gig, the support act is also a bit special.

Texan, Carvin Jones is an ace player who delivers a set of classic covers and medleys with an uncompromising muscular brass knuckled style. Once he straps on his Black Fender Strat, he takes you to the hearts and hands of the legendary bluesmen enhanced with some gut wrenching sound effects. The band’s guitar, bass and drum line-up delivers rollicking roadhouse rockers with Jones dark brooding vocals teasing the audience. Classic barroom favourites are delivered in rapid succession with Jones’ fluency, imagination and versatility being grounded by his long time stage partner Bill Troxell.

Jones has a lot of tricks up his sleeve – like playing two guitars at once – but importantly he is one hell of a guitarist and an out and out entertainer. Remember however, Jones is the support act so be sure to get to the gig early to catch him. And when he’s finished, you will be on cloud nine then out pops Walter Trout to take you into space. An amazing gig for the price.

If you like guitarists with loads of pizzazz, if you like an electrifying show that is as exciting and dynamic as you will ever experience, if you appreciate exhilarating showmanship and in-yer-face guitar style, this is one gig that you cannot miss. Walter Trout & The Radicals + Carvin Jones Band are at the Carling Academy Newcastle on Wednesday 17th October.

Here's a bit of Trouty background .......

Having played alongside some of the greatest names in Blues including John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers and Canned Heat, the adage "six degrees of separation" certainly does not apply to world-renowned musician, Walter Trout.  With the release of Go The Distance, released last year, fans and critics will no doubt agree that Walter Trout is now zero degrees away from the Blues greats. 

The Los Angeles Times describes the Southern California resident as “a torrential, gladiator guitar player - the kind the term ‘guitar hero’ was coined to describe.” With his arresting technique, relentless tour schedule and exhilarating showmanship, Trout merited the cover of Blues Revue in October 2000 and his first American live album, Live Trout (released in 2000), hit #15 on the Billboard Blues charts. Go The Distance increased the forward momentum. The 13 original tunes were recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis and produced by Jim Gaines, (Blues Traveler, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan) who also worked on Trout’s 1999 Livin’ Every Day and Live Trout.  As cuts like "Ride 'Til I'm Satisfied" and the title track attest, Walter Trout & The Radicals' final destination may be unknown, but they have embarked on the journey and are enjoying the ride, picking up rabid fans along the way. 

Playing live is something Trout knew, even as a youngster, that he wanted to do.  A chance meeting during his childhood with the mighty Duke Ellington catapulted Trout’s interest in pursuing a professional music career. “That was the turning point in my life,” he recalls. “I was there for two hours while Duke, Cat Anderson, Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves sat in a circle and talked to me about music and life.  They were so warm and generous and kind to me.  I was in awe.”  

As a teenager Trout got bit by the rock bug, plugged into an amp and never looked back.  It didn’t take long for him to gain entry into the major leagues.  His ability to tear up the neck made him a sought after sideman for John Lee Hooker and eventually launched a solo career after cutting his chops the way Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor did, playing with John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers.

In a BBC radio poll, Trout was ranked #6 out of the top 20 all-time greatest guitarists (where a few more votes would've landed him snugly in the Top 5 amongst Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page!). Trout has his sights set on similar stateside notoriety.  His 1998 self-titled release sold 25,000 units, locking the disc into Blues Revue’s Top 40 sales chart for a year where it peaked at #18.  Consistently packing crowds into 1,000+ seat venues nationwide, look for Walter Trout & The Radicals to ride coast to coast this summer playing at clubs and festivals including returning to the Tampa Bay Blues Festival after the organizers handed Trout a contract the moment he walked off the stage in 2000.  

Both on record and on stage, Walter Trout keeps the art of blues thriving and vivacious.  Blues Revue comments “Trout gets into the groove where the magic happens.  But each night offers a particular set of circumstances that keep the music fresh.”  From introspection to full blown rockin’ blues, Trout’s music is always marked by his adept songwriting, sturdy vocals, searing guitar work and ability to enhance the boundaries of one of music’s oldest forms.  But as Trout is quick to point out, "the blues shouldn’t be a museum.  The music ought to constantly expand and be alive."

After The Gig ....

Carvin Jones was as much a showman as we had been told. He twisted, he pulled the most amazing faces and he certainly laid in to his guitar. With only an hour to do his thing, Carvin chucked his heart and soul into a virtually non-stop journey through blues and rock. You have to see this guy and the speed at which he plays. In fact, see him at the Cluny on the 20th February 2008.

Walter Trout .... there is only one Walter Trout. He has to be one of the very best electric blues guitarists on the road today - anywhere in the world!  There's light and shade, astounding guitar playing and of course he has a superb band behind him. Always topical, he dedicated a number to Sir Paul McCartney and with more than a little understanding of what is happening with the divorce.

Back to the music, another five star performance from Walter.