Joe Louis Walker – Live on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 12.31.10
Chip Eagle | Dec 31, 2010 | Comments 3
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Joe Louis Walker’s Blues Conspiracy
Live on The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
Stony Plain Records
BluesWax Rating: 10
Cruisin’ in Paradise
Although this follows the Blues Music Award-winning Album of The Year Between A Rock and The Blues and a studio recording by Walker, record label budgets today make an album like this impossible in the studio, even for an artists as well regarded as Joe Louis Walker. When the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise sets sail they leave port with twenty or more of the most accomplished blues bands in the world. I’m told that each performance surpasses the last. This recording is the result of a late-night jam started years ago by The Tommy Castro Band and friends. This is art on the high seas.
Walker is both entertainer and master of ceremonies. He sounds better than I’ve heard him in years, his voice sparkling from the exciting buzz that surrounds him. Walker introduces the Phantom Blues Band’s Mike Finnegan as guest keyboardist and then hits the guitar notes that open “Slow Down GTO.” The mixture of the salty sea air and music is heady. It’s grinnin’ time. Finnegan and Walker trade solos.
Walker introduces Johnny Winter on “Ain’t That Cold.” Winter plays slide and the notes seem to bounce off the deck. Curtis Salgado then joins Walker and Finnegan, and they harmonize on “You’re Gonna Make Me Cry.” The soulful experience sounds like goin’ to church on the open seas. The Tommy Castro Band joins Walker’s band, and it features the usual suspects in his band, plus Deanna Bogart and Keith Crossan on sax and trumpeter Tom Poole. Walker sings “Eyes Like A Cat” as each player solos.
The guest list continues with Kirk Fletcher and Paris Slim from The Mannish Boys sitting in.
Jason Ricci and Nick Moss join Walker on “Born in Chicago,” with Duke Robillard, Kenny Neal, Tab Benoit, and Mitch Woods, among others.
Did I mention the cruisers? This CD is evidence of a great time had by all. This could only happen on the high seas thanks to Roger Nabor, the LRBC, and the folks at Stony Plain.
Richard Ludmerer is a contributing editor to BluesWax. Richard may be reached by commenting below.
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I wonder would these front people or even the horn section sound as good as they do without the hard hit’n rhythm section? There is a reason JLW chose the sidemen he did for this session! Don’t they deserve some mention?
I am a fan of JLW’s music for almost 25 years.Joe blends all kinds of American roots music,but his albums can still be filed under Blues.And his guitar playing is always phenomenal and with that signature sound,doesn’t matter if he plays electric,acoustic or slide.
So is an album where Joe doesn’t do all the solo’s himself interesting for me? Yes;people like Curtis Salgado and Kirk Fletcher are inspiring Joe to go deep in his gospel- and Chicago Blues roots (Joe isn’t from Chicago by the way)
And most important:the great band!! The chemistry between Jeff Minnieweather on drums and Henry Oden (Bosstalker from the early days),added with the subtle fills of Kevin Burton on keyboards and Linwood Taylor on rhythm guitar,are a solid basis where the other musicians only have to sit back and go with the flow..
Listen to “Ten More Shows”;this is how a 12bar shuffle should be played, listen to “It’s A Shame”; this is how funkblues should be played.
I agree with Henry Oden! JLW employs a stellar band, and if they weren’t of that calibre, many of those guest artists may not have even been interested in being involved! Props are due for the sidemen. A rocket can’t take off to the moon without a launching pad.