Walter Trout
" Blues For The Modern Daze "
Provogue

BluesWax Rating: 7

No Big Surprises, But Solid

The Jersey-born, sixty-one-year-old Walter Trout shows no signs of slowing down. With over twenty albums credited to his name, and the bulk coming from the last ten years, who could argue? It's been a pretty interesting career for Trout having worked with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Percy Mayfield, Joe Tex, Canned Heat, and, of course, the Godfather of Blues John Mayall. Blues for the Modern Daze is his sixth for his own label Provogue and while there are no apparent surprises, it's still a solidly executed album.

Right off the bat it's bombs away on the opening "Saw Mama Cryin'" that starts the album on a very high note. "Lonely" is sort of ballad but takes on new forms stylistically when Trout starts to blister and shred on his wicked axe. "Blues for My Baby" is, as expected, a blues tune, but even though it's almost eight minutes long it never reaches the climax point that I was expecting to hear. One of the other straighter blues tunes, "Recovery," is probably about Trout's previous substance issues, but it too never reaches a point that holds my attention. The rocking and rolling "Turn Off Your TV" is easily one of the smartest and best tracks on this album with interesting lyrics that will make you think about what Walter is trying to convey. Another well-crafted song is "All I Want Is You" that finds Trout on acoustic guitar with a harp player; it's a nice departure from many of the more heavy-handed tracks on Blues For the Modern Daze, but who would have expected otherwise from Mr. Trout? Not me.

For those who find it interesting, there are some politically-oriented statements coming from Trout's lyrics with songs titled "Money Rules the World," "Puppet Master," "Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous," "Brother's Keeper," and the aforementioned "Turn Off Your TV." Trout qualifies as being a legend within the blues world, yet he hasn't managed to find a way to create a larger audience in the mainstream, which is a pity as he deserves more. Perhaps Blues for the Modern Daze will further Trout's career, it sure feels like it's a step in the right direction.

Bob Putignano a senior contributing editor at BluesWax. He is also the heart of Sounds of Blues at www.SoundsofBlue.com. Bob maybe contacted at: bob8003@yahoo.com

Bob Putignano: www.SoundsofBlue.com