Joe Louis Walker - The Gift / Great Guitars

Album: The Gift
Size: 101,3 MB
Time: 43:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1988
Styles: Texas Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Full

01. One Time Around (3:28)
02. Thin Line (4:18)
03. 747 (4:07)
04. The Gift (4:40)
05. What About You (5:21)
06. Shade Tree Mechanic (4:19)
07. 1/4 To 3 (4:50)
08. Mama Didn't Raise No Fool (4:37)
09. Everybody's Had The Blues (4:00)
10. Main Goal (3:46)

Although it didn't enjoy the major label hype that his current output does, Walker's HighTone encore just may be his finest album of all, filled with soulful vocal performances, bone-cutting guitar work, and tight backing from the Boss Talkers and the Memphis Horns. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of Walker's remarkably consistent HighTone discs -- but give this one the slightest of edges over the rest. ~Review by Bill Dahl

Thanks to DrPeak.
The Gift

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Album: Great Guitars
Size: 136,9 MB
Time: 58:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Texas Blues, Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full

01. Low Down Dirty Blues (6:58)
02. First Degree (4:22)
03. Mile-Hi Club (6:08)
04. Fix Our Love (6:05)
05. Every Girl I See (6:01)
06. Cold and Evil Night (5:23)
07. Hop on It (2:24)
08. Nighttime (5:49)
09. Sugar (6:21)
10. In God's Hands (4:28)
11. High Blood Pressure (4:39)

Joe Louis Walker is a powerful blues guitarist and singer whose versatility and musical courage are showcased throughout this frequently rousing set. Walker collaborates (and sometimes battles it out) with Bonnie Raitt, Ike Turner, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Taj Mahal, Robert Lockwood Jr. and the Johnny Nocturne Horns on one song apiece, in addition to having three features of his own. Of the many highlights, "Low Down Dirty Blues" (which features Walker and Raitt jamming on slide guitars), the 1940s jump band feel of "Mile-Hi Club," the Walker-Guy guitar explosions on "Every Girl I See," the joyful encounter with Matt Murphy on "Nighttime" and Lockwood's appearance on "High Blood Pressure" are all quite memorable. This all-star gathering works quite well and is consistently memorable; all 11 selections are well worth hearing. ~Review by Scott Yanow

Thanks to DrPeak.
Great Guitars

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