This past weekend, my daughter and I headed to Beachland Ballroom to check out one of my favorite artists, Van Hunt. Initially, my plan was to write this post about Van’s live show, though I was a bit reticent because I’ve written about him recently. I was very pleasantly surprised, however, when inspiration struck in the form of four dapper dudes from Hollywood, California.
We’ve all been there: waiting for the headliner, hoping the opening act is good so you have a great concert experience. Right in front of the stage, as we were, we caught sight of Vintage Trouble as they made their way to the stage. Four slickly dressed gentlemen: lead vocalist Ty Taylor in a vintage smoking jacket with ascot, guitarist Nalle Colt and bassist Rick Barrio Dill in black suits with black fedoras, and drummer Richard Danielson in steel grey dress shirt and black vest. I was very taken with their style from the onset; before a note was sung or a chord struck. Their sound can be categorized as soul or rock; to me they are the epitome of Rock ‘n Roll. True classic rock that hearkens back to the birth of Rock ‘n Roll: hip-swiveling Rhythm & Blues, coupled with jarring guitar licks. Oh yeah, Alan Freed would have definitely spun their tunes. From upbeat songs (Nancy Lee) to poignant, slow songs (Nobody Told Me), and with a stage presence you have to see to believe, Vintage Trouble tore the house down! I knew nothing of the band before their set, but by the end of each song, I was singing [and dancing] along with them. We had the opportunity to meet the band after their set and they are so nice, down-to-earth, and appreciative of fans. I bought there CD The Bomb Shelter Sessions that night, and I’ve been playing it ever since. I guess I’m a little obsessed; I’ve even joined their mailing list and can now count myself in their legion of fans: the Troublemakers. In this age of “the retro sound”, Vintage Trouble has produced something that is hardly a gimmick, but true music gold.
Key tracks: Nancy Lee, Nobody Told Me, Run Outta You, Gracefully, Blues Hand Me Down, Jezzebella
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