Groovesmith @ QSC Booth, NAMM, Anaheim Convention Center,
Anaheim, California, USA 25/01/19
(Rachel Z - Keyboards / Omar Hakim - Drums / Darryl Jones - Bass)
Troy has a great image all hair, hat and beads, he swirls, twirls and sprays out notes quicker than a graffiti artist can spray paint a wall! Each song was played with fluid dexterity accompanied by his vibrant vocals. As one song ended Troy would check his setlist before loading a different weapon to launch another virtuoso attack.
He was ably backed by Keira, who is a busy girl, playing in three bands of her own. She to swirls and twirls as her bass along with the drums of Nicky Waters provide the rhythmic platform for Troy to embellish. ‘Get Away’ and ‘Van Helsing, come next as the whole of ‘Invocation’ gets played.
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 1 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 2 |
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 Troy Redfern - Photograph 4 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 3 |
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 5 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 6 |
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 8 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 7 |
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 9 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 10 |
Troy is not a particularly communicative frontman, he introduces the songs then plays with wizardry prowess as his fingers blend and bend into the strings of his chosen guitar. He definitely becomes one with his instrument.
As more songs are played, we get a black one, (he returns to this frequently) a red one a blue one, a cream one and a white one, each song is fused together by the sheer versatility and quality of his playing. Troy is an enigmatic figure as beguiling as a wild west hero, from the hand of director Serge Leone and his spaghetti westerns.
‘The Fever’ gets the crowd hot and sweaty, by now Troy has demonstrated his slide guitar credentials which leave us standing in open mouthed wonderment. His previous album ‘Wings Of Salvation is also exploited (again reviewed by yours truly) ‘Sweet Carolina’ and ‘Come On’ get well received airings. Troy digs a bit deeper into his past with ‘Waiting For Your Love’ from his ‘The Fire Cosmic’ release from 2021.
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 19 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 15 |
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 Troy Redfern - Photograph 18 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 17 |
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 16 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 14 |
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 12 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 13 |
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 11 |
Redfern is a must see, a man who is red hot at the moment, he is burning, his guitars smoulder with heat, you will not see many more hi octane performers.
Like all good things they rapidly reach their conclusion, tonight at the Junction the final song is ‘Sanctify’ which sees our hero pouring his heart and soul into an extended version of the song, which is both captivating and mesmerising. Then as the lost vestiges of a note fades away the lights come on! Troy Redfern has like magic disappeared and then suddenly reappears at his merchandise desk.
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 29 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 28 |
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 Troy Redfern - Photograph 27 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 24 |
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 26 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 25 |
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 23 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 22 |
 Troy Redfern - Photograph 21 |  Troy Redfern - Photograph 20 |
It was a climatic showstopping end, though veiled in slight disappointment as there was no encore. That didn’t stop my wife joining the queue to purchase a handmade bracelet. If only Troy had mentioned he needed someone on the desk, she would have worked her magic and sold stuff throughout the show.
By Paul Mace