Former White Lion front man Mike Tramp is currently on tour. This tour is being billed as the ‘Songs of White Lion.” He is currently being accompanied by guitarist Marcus Nand. Tramp fronted one of the biggest bands of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s when White Lion released two great albums in ‘Pride’ and ‘Big Game.’ There is a long storied history with White Lion and Tramp doing White Lion material. There would be too much to write so I would say ‘google” the back and forth between Tramp and former bandmate Vito Bratta. According to Tramps’ latest interview with Eddie Trunk, Bratta himself approved Nand to accompany Tramp to do these songs live. He also stated they are on amicable terms at the moment. So, hopefully its all water under the bridge and Tramp can feel comfortable to perform the catalog of White Lion without any issues hanging over his head. Opening the show was Buffalo Hall of Fame musician Jim Crean and his band.
Tramp and Nand played electric guitar for the 13th song set. They used backing tracks for the drums and bass to fill in the sound. This show was really a singer songwriters kind of vibe as Tramp in between songs told stories, jokes and how some of the songs came about. The guys started off with two gems off the ‘Pride’ album in “Lonely Nights” and went into “Hungry.” Tramp quickly made a joke on the venue (which is known for hosting upscale events like weddings, etc.) saying he was waiting for the bride to enter. Tramp also talked about being a serious songwriter. He always wanted to be taken serious and said he never thought about writing about tits and ass. He also made a joke that he wanted to leave the X in Sex for someone else to write (which great a lot of laughs). I loved each track Tramp and Nand did minus the Golden Earring cover “Radar Love.” It was slowed down and done in a different tempo. It had a County/Americana type of feel to it but I didn’t care for it. What I should say is that Tramp’s voice is still superb. I heard him say numerous times over the years say he can’t sound like he did in 1989. Well, no one is expecting that but he does sound remarkably close though. I especially though “Little Fighter” and “Wait” were highlights. In fact during “Wait,” I was close enough to the stage so I had the video of the song playing simultaneously as he was performing the song live. He noticed it smiled and gave me a nod. After the show Tramp met his fans (no fee to do this) and posed for photos and signed autographs. This was the 2nd last show of the US run of dates. Tramp and will join a full band and do a run of European dates this summer. I’m sure with a full band this show they will take it up a notch so make sure you check them out if you have the opportunity to do so.
Local Buffalo product Jim Crean opened up the show and did a barrage of 80’s hits to the crowds liking. He has tremendous range and has a connection to Tramp. Tramp sang “Can’t Find my Way” with Crean as duet on Crean’s solo album ‘Insatiable.’ This song was by Tramps other former project Freak of Nature.”
Setlist:
Lonely Nights (White Lion song)
Hungry (White Lion song)
Love Don’t Come Easy (White Lion song)
Tell Me (White Lion song)
Broken Heart (White Lion song)
Cry For Freedom (White Lion song)
Little Fighter (White Lion song)
Till Death Do Us Part (White Lion song)
Living on the Edge (White Lion song)
Wait (White Lion song)
When the Children Cry (White Lion song)
Radar Love (Golden Earring cover)
Farewell to You (White Lion song)
We would like to thank Jim Crean for the credentials to review the show.
