Customer Reviews

Relentless: The Concert

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD release is the extended and unabashed version of the CD of the same name. Marie Trout (Walter's wife) woke up one night and decided that it might be an idea to, instead of just working on a new CD, to take the idea out into a venue (in this case, the famous Paradiso Club in Amsterdam) and record it live in front of an appreciative studio audience.

Walter has always sounded better in the flesh, so this is a great idea and really showcases his abilities in a way not afforded by a mere studio album. The DVD features extra tracks such as Dust My Broom and some of his previous songs but both versions feature his now trademark '73 Fender Strat screaming and tearing through a great setlist.

He also gets to play acoustic guitar on a couple of tracks, namely 'Lonely Tonight' and the spiritual 'Jericho Road' where Walter plays some beautiful unplugged solo parts, as well as a custom-made Vigier electric guitar that adds a different feel to the more rocky tracks. What's evident here is the sensitivity of the man, which sometimes gets lost on his regular outings, a sense of light and shade and of balancing out the various sides of his personality. It also shows that there is very little in the way of sweetening up and that what you hear on an album (as is evidenced here) is Walter and the Boys.

The whole show is infused with Walter's untamed and incendiary musicianship. There are a plenty of introductions to songs, so you get the background to them. There is even a joke told by Jimmy Trapp, imitating the great Saul Liebermann. The band are in great spirits throughout and there is no holding back from any of them at all, they play their hearts out and it's no wonder really, as the Paradiso is Walter's favourite venue on Planet Earth.

The extras feature a Backstage Pass where Walter shows us (among many things) a self-flushing toilet and talking hand drier. There are a couple of bonus tracks and a chance to meet the band and what a great bunch of fellas they are too. Plus, there is an interview with Walter, carried out by his 'lovely wife Marie' at the very end. All in all, this DVD will satisfy any self-respecting WT fan, packed as it is to the rafters with great songs, great humour and a real sneak peek at the great man himself.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. This the concert from Walter I've been waiting for! Absolutely superb performance with audio and video to match. I've followed this band for 10-12 years now and he is getting better and better sense his sobriety. Wish I was there for this one, but this DVD will have to do. If you like blistering guitar, a tight backup band, Blues, Rock and good times, get this DVD. He gives Joe Bonamassa a tight run for guitar licks. Exta Highly recommended.

I wish Amazon had a 3 criteria rating that would make for a quicker, more accurate and fair rating of Cd's, DVD's and Blu-ray's.

1. Performance
2. Quality of Audio
3. Quality of Video (for DVD's and Blu-ray's)

1.*****
2.*****
3.*****

Artists that wish to have there performances recorded and recognized should be held to a standard. Poor Audio or Video, no matter how good the performance, is still a bad product. Those who would still purchase sub-standard Audio or Video quality recordings and rank that product highly just because of performance are not doing the industry or the band justice. Demand better and we will get it, settle for less and that's what you'll get.

I only give 5 star reviews, because I'm only interested in turning people on to the things I love most. Walter Trout has just entered that category. Playing just his stratocaster through a Mesa Boogie Mark IV amp with the rare Mesa Boogie Leslie-copy rotating speaker and no effects, Walter Trout pulls out all the stops in this incredible concert.

He has been unfairly accused of being derivative (gimme a break! ALL blues rock is derivative!) He has been unfairly accused of copping Stevie Ray's style and riffs. They have common blues roots, but Trout is much less reliant on effects, and clearly has his own chops influenced by a number of the blues greats (Albert King, to name one) and he even pulls off some of the same speed and volume-knob manipulation of the late great Roy Buchanan. Plus, having played with John Lee Hooker and Big Mama Thornton, he has firmly established his credibility as a genuine bluesman, even if he is doing blues/rock now. To put it simply, he's absorbed the best blues/rock influences and blended them into his own passionate, fiery style.

I'm a fair guitarit myself, and after one viewing of the DVD and several listens to the CD of Relentless, Trout is the one guitarist whose style I would most aspire to master. As a solo act he is generous to his band members in letting them stretch out on their own instruments instead of just having them playing rote accompaniment.

It is also clear that lyrically he comes from a very genuine place. Collingswood is a great example, wherein he effectively conveys the fear, pain and anger (and relief and comfort from other family) of growing up in a household with a violent alcoholic stepfather. He pulls his blues from deep within his own soul, and when he rocks hard he takes his solos right up to the edge of cacophony, momentarily crosses that line, and then takes complete melodic control again. If he has anything like a weak point it would be his acoustic songs, which don't quite convey the same passion as his electric work, but even then he still packs more genuine emotion and heartfelt melody into the acoustic material than most other acts in his genre.

If you love blues, rock, blues/rock, and even some metal guitar, this DVD is a rare treasure. I sat dumbfounded with a satisfied smirk on my face through the entire first viewing of this DVD. The production values are also a guitarist's dream, with the visual focus clearly placed on Trout's style and technique. The interviews, while not slickly produced or eloquent, reveal exactly what you'd want to know about this virtuoso after hearing him - his gear and how he uses it, influences and background - all relevant background on his music and how he makes it.

I like this every bit as much as anything by Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan, Gary Moore, Stevie Ray, Clapton, or any of the other rock/blues fusion guitarists. Only one copy in stock as I write this - I really hope Amazon and Ruf records will keep making this available to the world. I'd heard of Walter Trout some time ago when I lived in Orange County CA, and now I'm kicking myself in the okole for not seeing him at the coachhouse or other clubs there - odds are he won't be playing in Hawaii anytime soon. BUY THIS DVD RIGHT NOW! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

anyone who likes blues and see one of the greatest guitar players in action must have one of those dvds (if not two, just in case ) ;0)
it'll blow your socks off....walter at his best....
thanks walter for your masterpiece...(and his wife for the idea...)
ciao

This DVD is awesome!. Walter Trout is one of the best and he showed why by producing the album Relentless with new material in a concert setting. Walter RAWKS!.

This DVD is by far one of the most scorching, blues/rock guitar assaults I have ever witnessed. Buy it. Send your wife and kids out shopping. Then turn it up and be amazed, shell-shocked. It will leave punch drunk, feeling as though a guitar army has invaded and conquered your musical fortress. Walter Trout doesn't play the guitar. He owns it.

I had the privilege of seeing Walter Trout at Chan's in Woonsocket, Rhode Island last summer with my brother. Having already become familiar with his music, I knew I was in for an incredible treat, and we were absolutely not disappointed. My brother and I have seen pretty much all the great bands (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, The Who, etc., etc.) during their prime in the 70s. So, maybe Walter Trout isn't Led Zeppelin, but we were blown away by Walter's playing! My collection of his CDs exceeds every other band I own. If I could give this DVD 6 stars I would. Words fail to describe his talent adequately, so just plop down the best $18.00 you'll spend this year and you will never regret it. It will become one of your favorites. I highly recommend his "Life In The Jungle", "Prisoner Of A Dream", and "Positively Beale Street" CDs. After listening to these musical treasures, I'm sure you will fill out your collection like every else is. There's lots of AMAZING reviews for mediocre CDs out there....trust me, this is not one of them. You will love this guy and his band!

This DVD is a must have. Wonderfully done, picture and sound quality A+! Walter Trout is one of the finest guitar players in the world and he shows it on this DVD.Along with his extraordinary playing are his vocals that are fantastic. The band with him is awesome, Joey Parfumi on drums and Jimmy Trapp playing bass really lay down the groove while Sammy tears it up on organ. I ordered two to give out for xmas, I'm ordering another because this is just so good my son's guitar teacher has to get one too. This is an awesome DVD! Buy It!!!

I can hardly believe the slam review written by "Blues Hammer". I'll admit I'm a huge Trout fan and have seen him perform on every tour through the Midwest since my first taste back in 97 or 98.

There are a lot of variations in what is considered Blues, but I find Walter's original songs and performance skills unique and all his own. Walter will do some classics, but he never settles for re-hashing a bunch of old tunes just to get a CD out. Walter has a sound and a style there that I just don't hear from anyone else.

I think anyone who has a history with Walter Trout will find this DVD contains a great cross section of his music performed the way it sounds best, live and fresh. For newcomers it's a front row seat to a great concert.

Whether it's the up front, in your face style of "I'm Tired", the soulful ballad "Jericho Road", or the blue-collar "Best You Got" it's Walter and the boys on stage performing some great new tunes. Throw in the excellent sound and camera work in one of the band's favorite venues and you have a great live performance worth watching over and over again.

It's a definite must have for Walter fans, or for anyone who enjoys some original contemporary blues music with a little "attitude".

I became a instant Walter Trout fan 1 month ago,with the purchase of this concert on CD.I like the blues and man this guy can flat out play 'em.I have since went crazy and have bought this DVD and just about all the other CD's.I personally find his lyrics refreshing,uplifting and mature.I am now a BIG FAN...BUY IT!!!