Walter Trout – The Outsider (Release Year – 2008)
I have an appreciation for good rock music whether it is hard rock, metal, punk or even the blues. Sometimes I stumble upon new music in the strangest of places. A couple of weeks ago on a lazy Sunday afternoon, my wife and I drove north of the city to check out a flea market that we never stopped at before. In this mecca of tools, used crap, and bad Elvis impersonators, I stumbled upon this little music shop hidden away in one of the buildings in this palace of fleas.
The gentleman running this shop had a nice stereo set up, and was blasting some cool blues rock music. As I flipped through the new and used compact discs in this little store front, I wonder who this amazing guitar player was that I was listening to. The shop owner introduced me to Blues veteran Walter Trout, and his new CD, The Outsider.
I must admit that I don’t always listen to bluesy rock, but I am a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughn and own a couple of his releases. The first two songs on The Outsider, “Welcome To The Human Race” and “The Next Big Thing” had me sold on the first listen. I thought they were quite similar to the style of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s music. I don’t usually seek out this style of rock often, but anyone that remotely compares to the late Stevie Ray Vaughn is definitely worth mentioning on this website.
I honestly knew nothing of Walter Trout before stumbling upon this disc. Much to my surprise, Walter Trout has been around for a long time. The Outsider is his 17th release since 1990.
Why haven’t I heard of Walter Trout before now? I don’t know the answer to that question. Walter Trout has certainly entered my musical radar in a big way in 2008. The music on the CD is some of the best I have heard all year. Trout’s vocals are quite good, and his guitar work is pretty amazing. The Outsider is filled with good songs, and music to match. Fans of good bluesy rock need to check this CD out.
You can preview the music on The Outsider in the clips below. Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Welcome To The Human Race
2. The Next Big Thing
3. All My Life
4. The Love Song Of J. Alfred Bluesrock
5. Don’t Wanna Fall
6. Child Of Another Day
7. Turn Your Eyes To Heaven
8. The Restless Age
9. Gone Too Long
10. A Matter Of The Heart
11. Can’t Have It All
12. Sanjay
13. The Outsider
Walter Trout Band is:
Walter Trout – Guitar and Vocals
Bass – Rick Knapp and James Hutchinson
Drums – Kenny Aronoff
Hammond B3 – Sammy Avila
Route 33 Rhythm and Brews had the Cd release party for his latest. I’ll have to check him out. Ron has good taste!!
Can’t argue with your assessment at all really. Scored this one high myself when I wrote about it last month.
http://rockofages.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/walter-trout-the-outsider/
Bill
Aaaaah you lucky lucky person! Walter Trout is definitely one of those dudes who blues fans and hard rock fans can enjoy. Been listening to him for many years myself. do check him out live if you get the chance.