record’s liner notes to fully appreciate the gift that this music
is. “Almost Gone” is haunting as
Walter shares “I won’t last too
long” a point punctuated by a
harmonica plus potent riffs and
rhythms. The tension grows with
the sound of an ambulance that
moves into more ominous licks
and lyrics in “Omaha.” Showing a
sensitive side in Trout’s struggle
is “Please Take Me Home,” which
is softer in tone and underlined
by soaring guitar leads. The aptly
titled Battle Scars is a heavy yet
hopeful record that ends with
Trout triumphantly stating on the
last track that he’s “Gonna Live
Again.”
Guitarist Joel Hoekstra
(Whitesnake, Night Ranger &
TSO) has enough clout in his
own right but he takes no chances on his latest solo project 13.
Joel’s 11-track CD is packed with
power chords and an impressive list of artists including two
strong lead singers Russell Al-
Watch the video for “Until I Left You” by Joel Hoekstra
NewJerseyStage.com
2015 - ISSUE 11
ARTICLES
67