Amongst other things, the pandemic caused havoc on the international touring world. Even now we are still seeing shows taking place that had originally been touted to take place during that strange period. One such artist who saw his tour rescheduled multiple times was blues legend, Walter Trout.
Finally, the day had arrived for the US-based artist’s much-anticipated show at the Sage Gateshead. For those in attendance, the crowd got an added bonus when Walter brought his fellow countryman Alastair Greene along for the run.
Performing solo on this occasion Alastair thoroughly entertained the Tyneside audience with his gifted abilities and witty stage banter. The former Alan Parsons guitarist opened the show with his take on the Robert Johnson number Walking Blues before a loop station fuelled rendition of Drunk Again.
Alastair is somewhat of an Anglophile, with many of his favourite guitar players hailing from the UK. With each town or city, he has visited, Greene has tried to absorb some of the musical heritage from each locale. Throughout this run, the Texas native visited the Black Sabbath Bridge in Birmingham. But on Tyneside, he paid homage to local lad Brian Johnson by belting out a few notes of AC/DC’s Hells Bells.
Greene concluded his set with a new track titled Alive in the New World. He hopes to return to the UK with his full band, and based on the reception he received in Gateshead, the artist would be most welcome.
Of course, Walter Trout is no stranger to the North East or the Sage Gateshead. The legendary artist has strong ties to the region and this venue.
Walter’s latest record Ride marks his astonishing 30th studio album. And by his admission, he doesn’t even remember half of them. And who could blame him with such a vast discography? Grasping his white Fender Stratocaster and accompanied by Andrew Elt. The legend delivered an astonishing performance of the title track.
Several tracks from the artist’s latest offering are featured in the set including recent single Ghosts, the heartfelt ballad Follow You Back Home and the cathartic I Worry Too Much. The latter is tinged with social commentary, but underpinned by hard-rocking riffs, and a touch of funk. The song was written as a means of the artist getting a few things off his chest, and he does just that.
Walter enlightened the audience by recounting his memories of attending the legendary Woodstock in 1969. Funnily enough, Trout went on to play in one of the bands that appeared that day – that being Canned Heat.
For the aficionados, Say Goodbye To The Blues was one of the many highlights of the set.
On Walter’s 2017 album, We’re All In This Together, the artist invited many of his friends, peers and esteemed colleagues to perform on the record. On the title track, Joe Bonamassa featured on the album, but on this occasion, Walter invited Alastair Greene to the stage to play Joe’s part, and of course, he did it justice.
The show came to its conclusion with a further guest spot from one of Walter’s protégé, North East based guitarist Mitch Laddie who sat in on a few tracks including set closer Bullfrog Blues. Laddie’s gifted fretwork lit up the stage. Whilst the chemistry between the pair highlighted the mutual respect, they have for one another.
It may have taken several attempts for this rescheduled Walter Trout Tyneside date to take place, but it was certainly worth the wait.
Words and Photos by Adam Kennedy
