With the release of FULL CIRCLE, Walter Trout has realized a long held dream ? to invite musician friends from his 35+ year career together to compose and play together. His first new studio release in five years, FULL CIR... more »CLE reflects Walter Trout?s remarkable story, from his humble beginnings as a sideman in many a blues legends? band through his rising solo star, arriving as one of blues music?s beloved interpreters. The project is a full circle in time and place, a journey through the range of styles that represent the blues music genre ? a celebration of where the blues world is, where it has been and where it?s going. Among the 25 musicians appearing are John Mayall, Coco Montoya, Bernard Allison, Jeff Healey, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Sardinas, Guitar Shorty, Finis Tasby, Junior Watson, James Harman and Deacon Jones. FULL CIRCLE is the most accomplished and satisfying release of Walter Trout?s discography, and demonstrates his passion for music is just as great today as it was when he started playing as a teenager more than 35 years ago. He considers the new album a tribute to the people and the times that have helped shape his musical appreciation, demonstrating how the many styles within the blues genre can co-exist and mutually enhance each other without fight for rank or authenticity.« less
With the release of FULL CIRCLE, Walter Trout has realized a long held dream ? to invite musician friends from his 35+ year career together to compose and play together. His first new studio release in five years, FULL CIRCLE reflects Walter Trout?s remarkable story, from his humble beginnings as a sideman in many a blues legends? band through his rising solo star, arriving as one of blues music?s beloved interpreters. The project is a full circle in time and place, a journey through the range of styles that represent the blues music genre ? a celebration of where the blues world is, where it has been and where it?s going. Among the 25 musicians appearing are John Mayall, Coco Montoya, Bernard Allison, Jeff Healey, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Sardinas, Guitar Shorty, Finis Tasby, Junior Watson, James Harman and Deacon Jones. FULL CIRCLE is the most accomplished and satisfying release of Walter Trout?s discography, and demonstrates his passion for music is just as great today as it was when he started playing as a teenager more than 35 years ago. He considers the new album a tribute to the people and the times that have helped shape his musical appreciation, demonstrating how the many styles within the blues genre can co-exist and mutually enhance each other without fight for rank or authenticity.
Mr. Michael S. Riley | St. Louis area | 06/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is a must have. I bought this at Walter's show last week and haven't stopped listening to it yet. Be sure to read the liner notes. It explains his connection to each artist and much more. It's really good to hear Walter together with Joe Bonamassa. They are both the finest around. They wrote the song in the studio and played it one time. This is what is on the CD. What a treat!. Also, the duo with Jeff Healey is A+. It's great to hear Walter with John Mayall on two tunes. The first tune on the CD is one of the finest tunes you'll ever hear. Walter really lets it loose on this long song. Buy this CD!!"
A superb blues album!
M. Bernocchi | Old Windsor, Berkshire United Kingdom | 08/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just to be clear from the very beginning, from my point of view this is one of the best electric blues albums ever published in recent years. I was wondering whom and when could have challenged the best ever made "Blues Deluxe": here is the answer. As explained in the booklet this album was meant to cover all the different shadows of blues played by Mr. Trout during his 35 years of career in the music business. The list of guests is impressive and includes (in order of appearance): John Mayall, Jeff Healey, Eric Sardinas, Coco Montoya, Junior Watson, Guitar Shorty, James Harman, Bernard Allison, Finis Tasby, Deacon Jones and dulcis in fundo Joe Bonamassa. Talking about the music there is something that is important to say: this is a live "in studio" album. All the songs included here were recorded live with all the musicians playing all together in the studio and some of them at the first take without even a rehearsal! And you can feel it! The CD immediately starts with a killer, a slow blues where Walter delivers one of the best solos of the entire album and goes on in a sequence of breath taking blues songs. Particularly good the one with the great Jeff Healey, the acoustic (the only one included here) number with Eric Sardinas and the closing duet with Joe Bonamassa. However it is hard to find a favourite one in here, as all the songs are equally good. Without any doubts a five stars album that shouldn't be missed by any electric blues fan!"
Trout Rules
D. Davidson | New Berlin, WI United States | 08/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a Trout fan for a few yesrs now. I was looking forward for some time for a new studio release. The wait was well worth it. Full Circle is great. The guest artist are some of the best; Banamassa, Guitar Shorty, John Mayall, Montoya, Sardinas. Can the blues get any better? I think not. With guitar mixes of guest and Trout on different channels, listening with headphones is the best. I love this album."
Classic Trout
David M. Lerch | Edinburg, Illinois United States | 08/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a huge Walter Trout fan and never miss a performance when the band is in the Midwest. Having every CD that Walter has ever done (even got the imports before they were sold in the states) makes it pretty easy for me to put Full Circle in my favorite top 3 of everything he's done. His connection with some of the best blues talent out there is readily apparent in the energy of every song on this CD and makes it a "must have". The fact that this CD is still in the top 500 selling CD's on Amazon is a remarkable feat in itself and may mean that this exceptional guitarist, writer and bandleader is finally getting the recognition he deserves in the U.S."
RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "THIS TROUT'S A REAL CATCH AND I
Rick Shaq Goldstein | Danville, Ca, USA | 01/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Even though, I'm a blues aficionado, and a renowned, WORLDWIDE BLUES CRITIC, I must admit, I didn't know who Walter Trout was until I got this CD. I also, must admit, that I took a chance on this CD, not because of Walter Trout, but because I recognized five blues artists that were on the CD with Walter. (John Mayall, Jeff Healey, Guitar Shorty, Coco Montoya, Bernard Allison.) Due to the derth of new electric blues available, that was what made me invest my money in this purchase. Boy! Was I glad I did! This is a true 5 star performance. The cover of the CD lists 13 songs, but there are really only 12. The 13th is some DJ from the 50's/60's who babbles for 2 minutes about the old days. So with Shaq's insight, you now know there are really 12 songs. #3 is no good, but all the rest are absolute classic blues, and in my book that rates 5 stars. Walter is so good, I hope he stays on the blues track, because he's great. In the liner notes, he complains about people asking if he plays the blues as compared to rock, and basically says: I don't care what the F you call it, I just play it. And play it he does. At the risk of making the "curmudgeonly" Walter upset, I say, based on this CD you are not only a blues man, but also a great blues man! Please stay in this groove and record another. An added benefit to Shaq and the blues world, is that besides loving Walter's blues, I discovered "Jumping Joe" Bonamassa on the #12 song. His guitar was so strong, and his guttural, thundering, voice, shook, the blues heaven's above. I then reverse engineered, a search for all of "Jumping Joe's", CD's (See Shaq's other reviews!) and am now "THE MVP OF JOE'S STREET GANG!""