DVD
Review of
Relentless
Walter
Trout and
the Radicals
WALTER TROUT AND THE RADICALS
“Relentless – The Concert”
Ruf Records (DVD)
This review appears in the April 2004 issue of
SOUND WAVES MAGAZINE
and also available on the magazine's web site at www.swaves.com
If you haven’t had the opportunity
to hear Walter Trout and the Radicals, you now have to opportunity to both
see and hear what Trout and the Radicals are all about. “Relentless –
The Concert” features the band’s May 2003 show at the Paradiso in
Amsterdam, recorded in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and featuring over 165
minutes of blues music from the band’s latest effort.
Trout and the boys pour every ounce of energy
into this performance, offering up all of the 14 tracks from the last year’s
“Relentless” disc, as well as a few other gems, notably a cover of
Elmore James “Dust My Broom” to open the set, the Radicals signature
closer “Serve Me Right To Suffer”, a pair of bonus tracks, and a
behind the scenes look at the band and the tour. Trout and his band (Sammy
Avila - Hammond B-3 organ, Jimmy Trapp – bass, Joey Pafumi - drums, and
Andrew Elt - backing vocals), deliver an inspiring performance from start
to finish, armed with fiery guitar solos, crisp rhythms, and an
enthusiastic audience. Trout and company especially shine on the acoustic
selections of “Cry If You Want To”, “Lonely Tonight”, and “Jericho
Road”, but the straight ahead rockers (notably “Work No More” and
“Collingswood”) show that this band means business. Pafumi’s drum
solo is another treat; this guy is flat out one of the most entertaining
percussionists you will see. And to hear slow blues, look no further than
“Reason I’m Gone”, introduced by Trout with a simple “A minor,
boys” and then some of the most inspired blues playing you will hear.
“Relentless – The Concert” is a welcome
treat for fans of Walter Trout and the Radicals. If you’re less familiar
with the band’s work, do yourself a favor and give this DVD your
attention. Walter Trout and the Radicals know how to play the
blues. 4&1/2 out
of 5 stars
- Don Sikorski
April 2004 issue of SOUND WAVES MAGAZINE
and also available on the magazine's web site at www.swaves.com
