After some turmoil in his career, an imposing list of albums, many projects under his belt and a particularly impressive ubiquity, the Drum God Mike Portnoy is back again with his new musical venture: a Trio. Under a fresh partnership with the magnificent, the one, the only Bass maestro Billy Sheehan (NIACIN / TALAS / DAVID LEE ROTH / MR. BIG), completed by none other than one of the most gifted Guitarist of his generation once Sharpnel Records alumni Richie Kotzen but this time no instrumental knitting trickery, because beside his absolute skilled six strings wizardry, Kotzen is also indeed an hell of a fantastic soulful singer and a very underrated vocalist of the best brand like Chris Cornell or Paul Rodgers meets Glenn Hughes.

This is an all-star supergroup, and a (wet) Dream Team…but mostly a real band, not a short lived project, an utterly solid live act that is suffering from a paradox, the syndrome is set around the popular belief that those virtuosic experienced musicians can't compose real Rock songs. Bullshit. In fact THE WINERY DOGS play an unadulterated genuine Hard Rock in its purest form played by an exemplary bunch of extremely talented musicians and it's an understatement.

The concert start with the groovy and the LED ZEPPELINian infused blast of "Elevate" with concise but impressive unison synchronized leads, a whirlwind of notes, a fast flow of chops in a exuberant virtuosity between guitar and bass, like it was the fashion with MR. BIG.The backing vocals provided by Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy  are very impressive with some unexpected harmonies that coming out of the Jazz-Rock / Rhythm N' Blues tradition and right away the charisma and most of all the voice of Richie Kotzen seems to be the focal point to each and every one in the small packed venue, he's  really fascinating, stunning, magnetic & irresistible, a real Rock Star and finally he will stole the whole show.

Since then the Power trio will play all the numbers from his first album, plus a few surprises such as an interesting acoustic rendition of POISON's hit-single "Stand" or a great version of "Shine" originally played by MR.BIG, both composed by Kotzen himself years ago, those songs were like a bonus treat for the fans that's rise the temperature quite up high, an unique and special moment that leads to a real intense communion with the audience.

The show is an amazing full time experience, a constant exhibition and a true Rock 'n' Roll circus as Mike and Billy are performing their best stage antics, embellished by over-the- top playing, in the real Shrapnel's shredding frenzy mode, like a modern day MR. BIG's licks with full injection of high tech dexterity, that will reach its climax when each one of the protagonist unleashed the fury in their own way for a short solo spot. But it's not only about shredding, the songs are so good and the vocals are amazing full of the typical uplifting harmonies provided by Kotzen & Co., and when it comes to rate the composition skills of THE WINERY DOGS, well, my grade is very elevated. Like the iced cherry on a perfect cake Richie performed the emotional track "Regret" alone with an electric piano, one of the highlight of the show, of course his virtuosic guitar performances performed without a pick (!) were also blistering, to say the least.

With an ultra-solid musicianship, a gang of great and charismatic players, in addition to a strong vintage feel, they nail it…In fact THE WINERY DOGS sounds like how Classic Rock should sound in 2013.

Setlist:
1. Elevate
2. Criminal
3. We Are One
4. One More Time
5. Time Machine
6. Damaged
7. Six Feet Deeper
8. Drum Solo
9. The Other Side
10. Bass Solo
11. You Saved Me
12. Not Hopeless
13. Stand (Poison Cover)
14. You Can't Save Me
15. Shine (Mr. Big Cover)
16. I'm No Angel
17. The Dying
18. Regret
19. Fooled  Around And Fell In Love (Elvin Bishop Cover)
20. Desire