Fast forward another 20 or so years and the social media revolution of facebook and twitter was now feeding my hunger to hear new music. Twitter in particular has put sounds into my ears that quite often would not have appeared on my radar. So about 12 months ago a Folk singer called Katie Gentry or @tea_one_sugar mentioned that I should check out a video of a band playing acoustic music on the shores of Loch Ness.. That band was Vintage Trouble and I was hooked straight away. I went and bought The Bomb Shelter Sessions album as soon as I could. I'd just missed the tour dates they were doing in the UK that I could get to but promised myself I would go see them if they came around again.... and come around they did.
Waiting in the dark at Fibbers music venue York the expectation and excitement was palpable everyone knowing we were in for something special.
The band came on and faced away from the audience as 'Worlds Gonna Have To Take a Turn Around' played and when they finally turned to face us the place erupted. The band Nalle Colt, Richard Danielson and Rick Barrio Dill looked like they had walked straight off the set of 'The Assassination of Jesse James' , Richard Danielson rocking the coolest looking moustache and if you look up the word 'Cool' in the dictionary it just says - 'Ty Taylor'.
The band took control of the crowd immediately if they told you to clap you clapped if they told you to wave you waved it was like some kind of Pied Piper magic. With Pelvis Pusher you found your hips doing some Garth like thrusting (Foxy Lady from Waynes World) while your head looked down as if to say 'That's not me doing that is it' ;] People just couldn't help themselves the music had everyone in it's grip. So they started high energy and just kept the room there everyone having a great time I noticed part way way through I had been smiling right from the off which can only be a good thing because I am one grumpy f****r. As if to let us have an unofficial break they would slow it down and I remember distinctly feeling the hairs on my arms go up as Ty Taylor started 'Run Outta You' it felt exactly the same as the first time I heard Otis Redding sing 'These arms of mine' on one of my dads crackly old LP's a feeling that stays with you forever.
The sound went a bit AWOL just before they started the acoustic session which meant the spell was broken temporarily but when harmony was restored the band came back with a vengeance taking us even higher. Ty Taylor disappeared into the crowd a couple of times, something that gives the band an extra special connection at these smaller gigs, even standing on one of the bars at one point to direct the crowd into even more of a frenzy. As the encore finished the band walked through an appreciative crowd to stay and chat and sign stuff at the back of the venue to finish off what was one of the most memorable gigs I have ever been to.
If this were a film review it would be 5 star, if it were an exam it would be an A+ and if it were an Olympic event it would be a gold medal performance......
If you get a chance to see the amazing Vintage Trouble grasp it with both hands, feet and ears as it's something that will stay with you for life. This is how good music can make you feel in the right hands. A very big thanks to all the fellow Troublemakers for a great atmosphere and all of Vintage Trouble for taking me to a musical place that I thought I'd never see after the end of the Stax era.
Checkout everything Vintage Trouble here
http://www.vintagetrouble.com
