Wikipedia

Positively Beale St.

Positively Beale St. is the sixth solo studio album by American blues rock musician Walter Trout, the last to be credited to the Walter Trout Band. Recorded between February and March 1997 at 315 Beale St. Recording in Memphis, Tennessee, it was produced by Jim Gaines and released on May 19, 1997, by Provogue Records. The album charted at number 65 on the Dutch Albums Chart and number 9 on the UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart. Following its initial release in Europe, Positively Beale St. was issued in North America by Ruf Records under the title Walter Trout, credited to Trout as a solo artist.

Positively Beale St.
Studio album by
the Walter Trout Band
ReleasedMay 19, 1997 (1997-05-19)
RecordedFebruary 19 – March 21, 1997
Studio315 Beale St. Recording (Memphis, Tennessee)
Genre
Length71:43
LabelProvogue
ProducerJim Gaines
Walter Trout solo chronology
Breaking the Rules
(1995) 		Positively Beale St.
(1997) 		Livin' Every Day
(1999)
Singles from Positively Beale St.
  1. "Let Me Be the One"
    Released: October 6, 1997 (1997-10-06)
  2. "Got a Broken Heart"
    Released: 1998 (1998)
Alternative cover
Ruf Records Walter Trout cover
Ruf Records Walter Trout cover

Background

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The Walter Trout Band recorded Positively Beale St. between February 19 and March 21, 1997, at 315 Beale St. Recording in Memphis, Tennessee.[1] The album was produced by Jim Gaines and was reportedly intended as "a tribute to Memphis and its musical legacy".[2] "Let Me Be the One" was released as the sole single from the album on October 6, 1997.[3] After the album was released in Europe by Provogue Records, Trout signed a deal with Ruf Records for a North American release.[4] In early 1998, the album was issued by Ruf under the title Walter Trout, with opening track "Got a Broken Heart" issued as a limited edition "heart-shaped" CD single.[2]

Reception

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Commercial

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Positively Beale St. reached number 65 on the Dutch Albums Chart and number 9 on the UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart.[5][6]

Critical

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Uncut     [7]

Media response to Positively Beale St. was positive. In a review of the original European release for Music & Media, Thessa Mooij wrote that the album "clearly shows the depth [Trout's] own material has developed over the years", praising both his guitar playing but also his vocal performance.[8] In a feature titled "The Walter Trout albums you should definitely own" for Classic Rock, Henry Yates suggested that "Positively Beale Street changed everything" for Trout, describing it as "a whistle-stop tour of all Uncle Sam's most seminal genres, from the late-night blues of 'Marie's Mood' to the falsetto-led R&B of 'Song for a Wanderer'".[9]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Walter Trout, except where noted

Positively Beale St. track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Got a Broken Heart" 6:08
2."Obstacles in My Way" 3:55
3."One Way Street"
  • Trout
  • Dave Williams
  • Mick Parker
4:14
4."Tender Heart" 3:55
5."Come Home" 6:29
6."Marie's Mood" 5:42
7."Hardtime Blues" 4:07
8."In Love with You Again" 4:05
9."Don't Worry About It" 3:08
10."Song of a Wanderer" 4:40
11."Temptation" 4:42
12."Walkin' in the Rain" 4:45
13."If You Ever Change Your Mind" 3:36
14."Jules Well"Martin Gerschwitz5:34
15."Let Me Be the One"
  • Williams
  • Parker
2:38
16."Boo" 4:05
Total length:71:43

Personnel

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Notes

  1. ^ Trout is also credited under the alias "Wally Bass" with performing backing vocals.[1]

Charts

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Chart performance for Positively Beale St.
Chart (1997) Peak
position
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[5] 65
UK Jazz & Blues Albums (OCC)[6] 9

References

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  1. ^ a b Positively Beale St (Media notes). Walter Trout Band. Provogue Records. 1997. Retrieved June 11, 2024.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ a b DiConstanzo, Frank (May 30, 1998). "U.S. Bluesman Trout Hopes To Match Euro Success" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 22. New York City, New York: Billboard. p. 72. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Irwin, Colin (September 6, 1997). "Hopes are running high for new single" (PDF). Music Week. p. 38. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "Ruf Records is proud to announce two new signings..." (PDF). The Gavin Report. No. 2180. San Francisco, California: Miller Freeman. November 7, 1997. p. 24. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Discografie Walter Trout". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Breaking The Rules – Walter Trout Band". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  7. ^ Slaven, Neil (December 1997). "Walter Trout Band: Positively Beale St". Uncut. No. 7. p. 96.
  8. ^ Mooij, Thessa (May 24, 1997). "Marketplace: Walter Trout Band – Positively Beale Street" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 21. p. 9. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  9. ^ Yates, Henry (January 1, 2024). "The Walter Trout albums you should definitely own". Classic Rock. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
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