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Joe Louis Walker - In The Morning
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 On Joe Louis Walker’s Telarc debut he gives plenty of reason to take a better look at what he is all about and also to listen more intently than ever to his music and artistry. And not for the singular reason of signing on with one of the world’s premiere blues labels, there is much more to it than that. It’s the way he delivers his music and words that forces you reflect further upon the man making the music. Yes this is the blues, and its downright heartfelt and earthy if I say so myself.
As one reviewer notes on the AMG site regarding The Rolling Stones song “2120 South Michigan Avenue,”- “It sounds like a Booker T & The MG’s B side.” And it most certainly does. I really enjoyed the song, for an instrumental it’s superb. The guitar playing by Walker is searing hot and inspired, and he doesn’t reserve that energy for just that one song. He travels to the Mississippi Delta on the closer “Strangers In The House” and back to his roots in the church on the spiritually inspired gospel track “Where Jesus Leads.” “If This Is Love (I'd Rather Have The Blues)” is a stereotypical blues song (lyrically), and it rocks with a rhythm and soul that sweetens the pie. Walker covers virtually the gamut of styles found within the blues genre, and he does it all extremely well. I foresee a W.C. Handy nomination in the future for this album.
The blues is da blues, make no mistake about it. The challenge is to sound original without losing your focus and not doing more than your share of covers and closing up shop. Joe Louis Walker has achieved a career topping recording with “In The Morning.”
Put it on in the morning, afternoon, or the evening, it doesn’t matter, it will always sound great. And it will forever be the blues.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck |
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