Claude Von Trotha

The Coach House

Yet another one of the opening acts at the Coach House. It never ceases to amaze me where these guys come from. For whatever reason the HOB always (or 99 percent of the time) gets it right and at least puts on some decent opening acts. Anyway, sporting the guitarist Von Trotha and drums, bass, organ and four or five horn players, they definitely filled the stage. They all looked totally bored, especially the drummer, who looked too young to be in that band, and the keyboard player, who just looked mad at having to go out on a Thursday night. Claude had a beautiful looking and sounding Gibson flying-V which proved to be the only inspired part of their performance. Beautiful tone on that thing, and to his credit Claude brought it out and played surprisingly well. Too bad the rest of his band couldn't get into it.