The humble Walter Trout brought a lesson in guitar mastery to Archa+

© Tomáš Parkan / musicserver.cz

Walter Trout experienced the story “Returned from the Gates of Death”. And that is something that is already so bluesy in nature that it adds another, quite significant, level to his concerts. The American guitarist and singer was able to overcome liver failure thanks to a transplant. In the meantime, ten years have passed. Since then, he has been gratefully churning out one album after another, while not lowering the quality bar in any way. He still has something to say. Sometimes he entertains with a rock edge (“Ride”), other times he surrounds himself with a number of prestigious guests (“We’re All In This Together”). This year’s effort “Broken”, to which Dee Snider from hairmetal Twisted Sister and Beth Hart also contributed their voices, seems humble and thoughtful. The current tour with the mentioned album was covered, but it was certainly not a philosophical or maybe a tired evening.

Steven’s from Karlovy Vary already managed to take it to a high-energy level. The continuously growing formation – after all, the shift from the triumph in the talent competition Blues Aperitif of the Blues Alive festival cannot be overlooked – offers a brisk mix of blues, funk and rock. And above all, youthful zeal for the cause. The musicians played several songs from their debut “Runnin Man”, but also new songs from the recently prepared line-up made their way into their roughly half-hour set. Steven’s played in Arš in an expanded line-up with a brass section – and it works great for them. The fact that they present their repertoire with complete sovereignty can be considered essential. Some young band could envy their lightness, both interpretative and creative, embodied in the person of frontman Štěpán Kordík.

© Tomáš Parkan / musicserver.cz

Walter Trout welcomed the audience straight from the ground with a guitar solo. This musician does not enjoy subtle beautiful sadness – however, from time to time he goes for typical, almost cello-like colors. He plays the guitar hard, letting it wail and wail. Emotions run through your whole body while listening. And even though he sometimes gets caught up in a certain self-imposed goal, he gives a captivating performance for most of the playing time. Energetic pieces alternated with calmer and more thoughtful ones like “Courage in the Dark” or “Follow You Back Home”. Trout also recalled his duet with Joe Bonamassa “We’re All In This Together”. In all circumstances, he was assured by a great band, in which (at least) two big names are hidden. Bass player John Avila is not very tall, but he has a lot of energy – and most importantly he played with Danny Elfman in Oingo Boingo. He later established a collaboration with Steve Vai. Drummer Michael Leasure worked for many years with Edgar Winter, brother of bluesman Johnny Winter, and has been supporting Trout for thirteen years. Both belong to the mainstays of the guitarist’s music and their mutual connection cannot be overlooked.

© Tomáš Parkan / musicserver.cz

Walter Trout is a grateful guy and he doesn’t fake his performance. And the fact that he uses his concerts as a mouthpiece to support organ donation is understandable and a worthy activity. Its doubtful “I don’t know how much you will understand me” accompanied by explanatory gesticulations, but in 2024, even by Czech standards, it seems somewhat misguided. Ninety percent of the Archa+ seemed to understand and respond. On every word and every tone. A Walter Trout concert is hard to beat. It offers quality blues every time. This time, in addition, in a greater emotional breadth than last year, when he crushed Akropoli with a predatory, even rude set. He knows what he’s playing and he knows why he’s playing it. And he also knows that he doesn’t need to play like a big star – he wants to entertain himself and the audience. He exudes modesty and genuineness. Not to. When you get off the gravedigger’s shovel, you simply find humility in yourself.