Joe Louis Walker
Witness To The Blues
SPCD #1337
What can you say that hasn't been said about Joe Louis Walker? He is a consummate blues, R&B, gospel and soul vocalist. He can shout, croon and leave his emotions wrung out on the floor. His guitar style while varied is always impeccable and passionate. He’s played with the likes of Ike Turner, Scotty Moore, Steve Cropper, BB King, Taj Mahal, James Cotton, Bonnie Raitt, Branford Marsalis and Huey Lewis. Across a career spanning many styles, labels, highs and lows, it can never be said that a Joe Louis Walker CD is ordinary.
This is his first recording with Stony Plain that I am aware of, and it is a very strong, vital collection. Much thought has gone into this one. Everything from the feel, to the choice of cover songs and Joe's great songwriting. I guess it doesn't hurt either, that the dynamic duo of producer Duke Robillard and executive producer Holger Petersen are on board. This feels like a career defining moment, and also sounds like Joe is having a great time doing it.
Witness To The Blues jumps out of the gate with "It's A Shame". This slab of funky R&B is full of great horn charts from Doug James on sax and trumpet by Scott Aruda. Joe peppers this J.J. Malone track with his fluid guitar and powerful voice. The rhythm section of Mark Teixeira on drums and Jon Ross' popping bass give "Midnight Train" a nice rockabilly blues feel that Joe's guitar wraps around. Love it! In “Lover’s Holiday" Bruce Katz uses the Hammond B3 to strong; joyous effect. Shemekia Copeland does a guest vocal duet with Joe Louis, and they pull this gem off nicely. "Hustlin’,” is the first real knockout track of the album. Joe shows everyone why he is considered one of the best contemporary blues guitarists around and Bruce Katz's piano just adds fuel to the fire.
“Witness” is a keyboard laced song about man's struggle as he witnesses troubles yet has his religion to help himself and others. A nice slower gospel paced moment in the collection. “Rollin' And Tumblin," takes the traditional song and adds bloozy, rocking guitar to Joe's hard-edged vocals. "Highview" is an instrumental, which is a little too rocking for my taste. It is, however, an indication of how Joe will stretch his boundaries and feed the appeal to cross marketing. “I Got What It Takes" is my next favorite song. JLW is playing acoustic slide mixed upfront with some great accompaniment from Duke Robillard. It struts, jives and moves me throughout.
"Keep On Believin'" slips back into a pleasant soulful groove about relationships and love. "100% More Man" is a nice long slide piece that cooks with its combo of guitar and Bruce Katz' killer piano. Imagery out of the Muddy and Wolf canon of sexual songwriting makes it a fun, exciting song. Joe Louis Walker ends the cycle of songs with a traditional standard, called "Sugar Mama”. Joe’s use of harp adds to his guitar and great vocals and wraps up a great CD.
Witness To The Blues is, in my opinion, a statement from Joe to the believers. It is his most cohesive, and exciting in several years. Thanks to Stony Plain for seeing the need for this great collection. Plenty of kudos from me.
- Big Daddy Hal -
Southwest Blues CD Review - April 2009
Current Reviews -
2009 Reviews - available at our store
