May 28, 1999

By ROBERT KINSLER    Special to the Register

With the official start of summer only a couple of weeks away, several  local artists are releasing CDs. The releases range from a powerful,   commercial entry from singer-guitarist Walter Trout to the indie sensibilities of Welcome Jupiter.

Walter Trout & the Free Radicals  

"Livin' Every Day," Ruf Records

Orange County's best-known electric guitar virtuoso Walter Trout is back with another strong album fusing traditional blues and modern rock.

"Livin' Every Day" finds the Huntington Beach singer-songwriter further  exploring the direction taken on his 1998 self-titled album.

Tracks such as "Playing with a Losin' Hand," "City Man" and "Nothin' But the Blues" will please modern-blues fans with traditional grooves built around his guitar and harmonica playing.

But Trout isn't afraid to strike new ground in "Sweet Butterfly," a beautiful ballad emphasizing his skills as a soulful singer.

Trout's guitar skills are on display all over the 14-song disc with "Let Me Know," "Through the Eyes of Love" and "Prisoner of a Dream" being jaw-dropping standouts.

His backing trio, the Free Radicals (bassist James Trapp, B3 organ player Paul Kallestad and drummer Bernard Pershey), offers solid music support.  

You might enjoy if you like: Walter Trout's earlier albums, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jonny Lang.