This CD is a re-release of the CD that was originally released in 1989. It's only unusual as a re-release in that there are no new songs or deletions from the original package. This says a lot for the artist and the label. Usually when a disc is re-released the company will add additional tracks so you'll buy it, if you want to have a comprehensive collection of songs by that artist. Making no changes from the original disc, tells me that the original product was just fine and if you missed out the first time, here's your chance. I'm personally glad that Ruf made this one available. I didn't hear it before but it sounds very
good for a thirteen-year-old recording.
Walter Trout is a supremely gifted guitar player(and not bad on harp either) who has played with some of the greatest blues players. He "paid his dues" with John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Joe Tex, Canned Heat, and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. His own sound attributes rock as well as his blues foundation.
On Life In The Jungle, his first album with his own group, he wisely mixes studio and live cuts. This combination allows him to show what he can do in both situations. Of the ten cuts on the CD four of the tracks are live. Also he mixes originals and cover tunes. The live cuts are the most compelling because Trout is able to stretch out and really show what he can do with the guitar. The tunes "Serve Me Right To Suffer, Cold Cold Feeling, and Red House" are all over 7minutes long. Not surprisingly his most impassioned singing is heard on these tunes also. The studio-original tunes sound familiar. You can hear glimpses of Marshall Tucker Band , early Allman Brothers and Roy Buchanan on them.
Regardless of the sound you've got his burning guitar on every song. It's easy to see why the aforementioned blues legends recognized his talent. His leads are fast, concise, and well timed . There's feeling to his playing not just a guy whipping out a lot of notes just to show you how fast he could play. There is an exception to this theory. One cut on
Life In The Jungle called "Spacefish" is 36 seconds of sheer showoff guitar histrionics. It makes you want to hear more.His harp playing is fairly pedestrian but he doesn't over-blow and uses the instrument effectively on a few tunes.
When you hear Life In The Jungle it makes you want to hear more of Walter Trout. It makes you want to buy more of his CD's and see him
live.
Simply click on the CD cover at left to order this CD NOW!
This review is copyright © 2002 by Putnay Thomas, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.
For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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