Review: Walter Trout – Broken

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Review: Walter Trout – Broken

Provogue Records (March 1st 2024)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

By all intense and purposes, Walter Trout is a bonafide blues guitar legend.

Thirty albums, working with the biggest of names in his field, whilst fighting his own personal demons and health issues that have been well documented, he has more than earned his place in the Blues hall of fame.

He has always picked guest wisely and this album is no exception. Beth Hart, blues harp player Will Wilde and none other than Dee Snider grace the album. Beth has also walked the same rocky roads that Walter Trout has, and it’s no surprise she sparkles here on the title tune.

The album covers a gamut of styles within the blues framework. ‘Turn And Walk Away‘ has that country vibe, ‘Bleed‘ has a John Lee Hooker boogie, complete with Wilde’s blues harp gymnastics, yet all wrapped in a framework of blood and thunder preaching, balanced with almost reflective moments.

Trout’s playing is at times, full on, at times melodic, but never less top notch. He has an ability to augment the song with whatever solo he chooses to lay down. An art form no doubt about it.

Dee Snider impressively grabs hold of the reins on ‘I’ve Had Enough‘ and keeps the band’s raging bull storm under control as it threatens to bust loose.

‘Breathe‘ is definitely single material.  It provides a counter punch to the angst on offer, Walter Trout delivering a rich vocal.
It’s clear that the 72 year old is not content even at this stage of his career. He has produced an album that is still full of fire and brimstone, annoyance and righteousness at the world that surrounds us.

He and his six string skills are nowhere near ‘Broken‘.

Tracklist:

  1. Broken (feat. Beth Hart)
  2. Turn And Walk Away
  3. Courage In The Dark
  4. Bleed (feat. Will Wilde on Harmonica)
  5. Talkin’ To Myself
  6. No Magic ( In The Street )
  7. I’ve Had Enough (feat. Dee Snider)
  8. Love Of My Life
  9. Breathe
  10. Heaven Or Hell
  11. I Wanna Stay
  12. Falls Apart