WALTER TROUT AND THE RADICALS
Relentless (Ruf Records)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Walter Trout's newest CD is just like most of his Ruf Records catalogue, and he's been able to keep the blues flames fired by his relentless guitar wizardry in five other Ruf solo CDs or work with John Mayall or Canned Heat. His musical apprenticeships with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Canned Heat have provided him with a first-class blues education, and he's the rare bluesman who is equally at home with a pen writing songs or a guitar pick in front of a live audience. Relentless was recorded live last May at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, and Ruf took quite a risk recording a live CD of new material. Ruf's investment in Walter, and in the future of the blues, will be repaid many times over as this disc should catch fire among blues fans worldwide. Not every song on Relentless shows off Walter's fretboard pyrotechnics, however. He sails acoustically on the softer ballad "Jericho Road" the soulful "Cry If You Want To," or the B3-fueled "My Heart is True." The bulk of Relentless, though, is fiery guitar work from one of the hottest bluesmen around.

Track List:

I'm Tired * The Life I Choose * Jericho Road * Work No More * Talk to Ya * Cry If You Want To * Chatroom Girl * My Heart is True * Lonely Tonight * Helpin' Hand * Collingswood * Empty Eyes * The Best You Got * Mercy

© 2003 - Eric Steiner