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CONCERT REVIEW: VINTAGE TROUBLE @ THE FORD THEATRE, HOLLYWOOD HILLS (09.16.21)

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If you’re called a troublemaker, it’s usually not a complementary term. Unless you’re a fan of the band Vintage Trouble. Then if you’re a Troublemaker, (Capital T), you know you’re part of something special.

Vintage Trouble has been called the best-kept secret in music. So the Thursday, September 16th show at the 1,200-seat Ford Theatre tucked in the Hollywood Hills seemed fitting. It almost felt like a secret concert just for a bunch of raucous Troublemakers. But at the same time it felt like the venue couldn’t contain the energy of this retro rhythm and blues powerhouse. It’s far too easy to call them a raw, retro band.  They may be blues based, but they know how to the take their music to different places. After a decade together, they have this thing of theirs down and they are still willing to push it in new directions.

Vintage Trouble is fronted by the charismatic, energetic, and magnetic Ty Taylor. His is a strong, soulful voice that can either move you to tears or bring you to leaping to your feet. When the man says jump, you jump. Your eyes can’t help but follow him. There he is on one side of the stage. There he is on the other. Wait a minute, now he’s using his extra long mic-cord to jump rope? Of course he is.

Taylor’s never been afraid to interact with the audience and on this night he even brought one of his young relatives up on stage with him. Vintage Trouble is a Los Angeles-based band and this being their first home show since the pandemic began, they were obviously energized by the home crowd. At certain points in the evening, it felt a like a spiritual revival in more ways than one.

On lead guitar is Nalle Colt, a former Swedish skateboarder who now masters the fretboard. He’s a soulful player who can reach down and make a Gibson Les Paul howl when he needs to.

The rhythm section is muscular and active. Bass guitar is Rick Barrio Dill, tall, multi-talented and a presence on stage who also contributes backing vocals as do the others in the band. On drums is Richard Danielson. The man doesn’t play the drums. His physical style makes it seem like he’s working his kit, sometimes even standing for extra force and emphasis. It’s all part of the visual style that makes Vintage Trouble so interesting.

The look and the sound have been augmented over the years with keyboardist and backup singer, Brian London. Also singing backup was Tawny Dolley. She’s another physical presence on stage and her interplay with Taylor brings out the best in both. When you have all six members of Vintage Trouble moving and grooving with the entire audience in thrall, it’s a sight to behold.

VT slowed down for a mini set of two songs, “Lo and Behold” and “Never Mine” off their acoustic album, The Swing House Sessions. But immediately after that was Nalle Colt’s slide guitar signaling the start of “Run Like the River” and it was time for Taylor to get the audience on their feet again.

While it was an evening featuring a range of music from their four albums plus the debut of pandemic-penned new song, “Outside-In”, the bulk of the set came from their first album, The Bomb Shelter Sessions. Once Vintage Trouble got to their encore, “Blues Hand Me Down”, the combination of the band and The Troublemakers could have easily made Hollywood Hills residents wondering what was causing the ground to shake that evening. 

 

 

Daniel Gray

Photojournalist - Los Angeles

Website: dg21.smugmug.com/DG-Photos/DG-Music/ Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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