The Return of the Power Trio

It’s been a long time coming…but the power trio is back with a vengeance. That ‘perfect’ line-up of guitar, bass and drums is a staple of our rock history, just think Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Budgie, Rush, Trapeze, ZZ Top etc.  The flag was flown briefly in later years by the likes of the very wonderful Kings X of course, but in recent years there have been too few of what, to this writer, is the perfect line-up.

There was a hint of what could be on the recent ‘Machine Head’ tribute, when the stellar line-up of Chad Smith, Steve Vai and Glenn Hughes did the unthinkable and blew the already wonderful ‘Highway star’ out of the water. (okay there’s some keys on there but whose counting!) I still nurse a dream that this might become a longer term association, but then…

…I recently bought the superb album by The Winery Dogs, another amazing line up with Mike Portnoy (more gigs than Dave Grohl, anyone?) Billy (I’m going to give up playing bass now) Sheehan and Ritchie (he can sing AND play like a mother!) Kotzen. So often though, the sum of the parts is not greater, but this album is superb, chiefly because (as with Black Country Communion) the songs are SO good. A three piece rock band is an exciting thing to listen to, and to play in, I can attest to that from personal experience, because there is nowhere to hide and you have to be on your game, and it’s probably why these virtuosos are gravitating towards this particular band configuration, because it stretches them and gives them room to shine. So, all this was enough to get me salivating, but then, courtesy of my good Metal buddy Stone over at METAL ODYSSEY  I’ve also been turned onto Pinnick Gales Pridgen, yet another amazing line up of ex-Kings X, Lauryn Hill and Mars Volta musicians that channel Cream and Hendrix and serve it up fresh, new and damn hot. Check out these three videos and tell me the Power Trio isn’t on the rise!!!!

Kev Moore