Joe Louis Walker : Electric , Slide and Nylon String Guitars , Lead and background Vocals , Harmonica
Recorded By: Eric Corne at The Building, Marlboro, New York and Forty Below Studios, Encino , CA
Horns Arranged by Mark Pinder / Strings Arranged By Eric Gorfain
Scott Milici - Hammond and Farfisa Organs , Piano , Wurlitzer , Fender Rhodes / Geoff Murfitt - Bass / Eddie Jackson - Bongos / Mark Pinder - Trumpets / David Ralicke - Tenor and Baritone Saxophones / Gia Ciambotti - Background Vocals / Eric Corne - Background Vocals , Guitar , Percussion
Blues Revue calls Walker “one of contemporary blues’ most dynamic and innovative. musicians release consistently exciting, soulful, heartfelt, and spellbinding music.” Living Blues stated, “His fretwork is indelibly stamped with his trademark blend of emotional heat and impeccable precision. Even at his most flamboyant, Walker sounds like he’s playing ideas, not just notes.” Herbie Hancock called Walker “a national treasure.” Chick Corea glibly referred to him as “The Chick Corea of Blues,” and Aretha Franklin called him “The Bluesman.”
New York Times - " Walker is a singer with a Cadillac of a voice . His guitar solos are fast , wiry , and incisive , moaning with bluesy despair".
Walker plans to tour extensively to support the new record, effusing, “The band and I are chomping at the bit to play these songs live!”
Billboard - "(Walker)blows all over the map...gutbucket blues , joyous gospel , Rolling Stones - style rock crunch , and aching R and B . Walkers playing is fine and fierce".
He’s a member of the Blues Hall of Fame, was named a USA Fellow by United States Artists, and won multiple W.C. Handy Awards and Blues Music Awards, has been a recipient of San Francisco’s prestigious Bammy Awards, and was also awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Mississippi Valley Blues Society.
Recorded just outside of Woodstock , New York , " Weight of the World " is an extraordinary showcase focusing on the remarkable versatility of this incredible musician and song-writer . Blues Hall of Fame inductee and six-time Blues Music Award winner - described by NPR as " a legendary boundary-pushing icon of modern blues " - this New Year release is filled with Gospel . Soul , Funk . Contemporary Blues , Jazz , and a jaunty strut into Congo Square with a bit of 'Nawlins' 2nd Line tossed into the mix .
Walker has recorded with Ike Turner, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, and Steve Cropper, among others; he’s also opened for Muddy Waters and Thelonious Monk. “I think having dinner with Muddy Waters every other day, when he let me open up for him a couple weeks in 1970, is something I’ll never forget – as well as him watching me play and giving me pointers, trying to help me become a better musician and bandleader. It was the old Colonial Tavern in Toronto. I also have fond memories of all the folks you’ve mentioned, which I’m putting in my book next year.”
Walker states, “Instrumentally, we’ve been able to utilize instruments that aren’t normally used in the blues genre: violins, nylon string guitar, etc. Hopefully the listener will hear the songs and say, ‘That’s the way I feel’ or ‘That’s what I was thinking.’ I’ve worked with many producers and Eric Corne’s talent puts him right up there. He is a triple threat: songwriter, singer, producer. Extremely talented and he’s got a vision of where he wants to go.”
"Weight of the World " is an exciting road trip through the musical influences of a remarkable guitarist and song-writer , Joe Louis Walker . What an incredible way to begin 2023 - a fiery release from a true blues icon !! Having seen Joe Louis Walker many times on stage I can testify to the man's brilliance on stage , the excitement that he ignites , and the emotional impact displayed with every song performed. His dizzying trips through so many genres at once is eye-opening. Joe has a wonderful rapport with his audiences , a natural fondness for his fans , that carries over with every performance. "Weight of the World " has completely blown my mind as I have played this over and over and over again . "Weight of the World " captures the magical mojo of Joe Louis Walker . Essential listening for music fans everywhere , the band tears into every song with joyful abandonment. Incredible release from start to finish!
Catch Joe live at the Town Crier February 24th.