Stony Plain Records artist: Joe Louis Walker - The Best Of The Stony Plain Years - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, The Best of the Stony Plain Years by Joe Louis Walker and it's killer. Opening with Eyes Like A Cat, a romping jump track, Walker shows why he is in such demand on guitar. A strong R&B style voice, Walker is joined by Bruce Katz on piano, Jesse Williams on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums, Doug James on sax and Carl Queforth on trombone. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Highview written by Duke Robillard, is a deep down boogie track with unearthly, hair raising guitar tones and a trace of the likes of Ghost Riders. Robillard also throws his hat in with some striking guitar riffs complimented by Joe Ross on bass, and Scott Aruda on trumpet. Excellent track! Shuffle track Hustlin' with a nod to Don Nix has a real nice lope. Again excellent guitar riffs sit you back in your seat with your head bopping and your foot stompin! Katz lays down some really nice piano work on this track as well. Great! Black Widow Spider has a R&B feel and Walker leads the way as much vocally as on guitar. I'm Tide is a flat out rocker with break out blues/rock guitar riffs. Traditional blues track, Sugar Mama demonstrates Walker's capability as a cool harp player as well as singer and stinging guitarist with some really screaming harp riffs. Katz takes a real nice piano break on this track as well and Robillard adds some really smooth phrasing rounding out the sound. A low slung shuffle, this track is really hot. Mike Finnigan's Slow Down GTO is a nice party track featuring grinding vocals from Walker and a nice organ solo from Finnigan. Linwood Taylor adds texture on guitar, Kevin Burton on keys, Henry Oden on bass, Jeff Minnieweather on drums, Keith Crossan on sax, Tom Poole on trumpet and especially nice slide work from Walker. Ain't That Cold features Johnny Winter on slide with his signature sound. An easy shuffle with a solid bottom, gives Winter plenty of room to show why he's been on top for such a long time. You're Gonna Make Me Cry, a soulful ballad features Curtis Salgado and Mike Finnegan on vocal duet. Finnegan also adds distinctive organ work on this track which really compliments the basic format of the song. Excellent! On Send You Back, an acoustic blues, Walker shows a different feel with his voice and guitar, much more in primitive form and really nicely complimented by Sugar Ray Norcia on harp. The only acoustic track on the release it more than holds it's own weight with this set of powerhouse tracks. Wrapping the release is Witness, a soul style track with a pop flare. The most radio friendly track on the release is mostly shows another facet of Walker's diverse palate. This is really an excellent compilation and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

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Stony Plain Records Announces New Compilation Series, "The Best of the Stony Plain Years" - First Sets from Joe Louis Walker and Long John Baldry Due June 17

                                                      

                                 

Stony Plain Records Announces New Compilation Series, The Best of the Stony Plain Years

First Sets from Joe Louis Walker and Long John Baldry Due June 17

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – Stony Plain Records announces it will begin releasing an exciting new compilation series of CDs, titled The Best of the Stony Plain Years, which includes tracks from the label’s vaults, as well as rare and previously-unreleased material. The first CDs as part of the new series will be albums from Joe Louis Walker and the late Long John Baldry, both set for release on June 17. Stony Plain Records has been releasing acclaimed and award-winning roots and blues music since 1976, and is independently distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA).

2013 Blues Hall of Fame inductee Joe Louis Walker recorded three albums for the label: Witness to the Blues, Between a Rock and the Blues and Blues Conspiracy: Live on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. Between a Rock and the Blues won The Blues Foundation’s “Blues Album of the Year” award in 2010.

An international blues all-star, Joe Louis Walker has recorded a number of celebrated albums in a wide range of roots and blues styles, with such guests as B.B. King, James Cotton, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Steve Cropper, Branford Marsalis, Huey Lewis, Ike Turner, Shemekia Copeland and Duke Robillard, who produced Walker’s first two Stony Plain CDs. The 11 tracks on his Best of the Stony Plain Years reissue were compiled from all three CDs of his recorded output for the label.

British blues pioneer Long John Baldry (1941-2005) recorded for Stony Plain from 1991 up until his death. He started performing acoustic blues in London in the late 1950s and worked with fellow leaders of the British blues vanguard Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies in the early ‘60s.

Baldry was an inspiration to The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. He mentored Rod Stewart and Elton John, who both produced and recorded on some of Baldry’s early classic albums, Everything Stops for Tea and It Ain’t Easy. Both albums were re-issued by Stony Plain in 2012 with several bonus tracks and rare photos added and are still active in their catalogue.

Long John Baldry’s Best of the Stony Plain Years set includes songs from several of his label releases, as well as two rare and previously-unreleased tracks, plus a duet recorded live with the legendary Jimmy Witherspoon, “Time’s Gettin’ Tougher than Tough” (1995), with backing by the Duke Robillard band. Baldry and Witherspoon were long-time friends, dating back to when “Spoon” visited England on tour in the early 1960s.

Stony Plain Records President Holger Petersen contributes liner notes to each of the CDs by Joe Louis Walker and Long John Baldry, adding personal insights and memories to the compilations that promise to become collector’s items.

For more information, visit www.stonyplainrecords.com

Alligator Records News Briefs - April 16, 2014

JAMES COTTON RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION Conjure up a list of all-time great blues harmonica players, and high up on it you'll see the name James Cotton. --NPR The Mississippi Arts Commission presented blues music icon (and Tunica, Mississippi native) James Cotton with the coveted Governor's Award For Excellence In The Arts in a ceremony held February 20, 2014 at Belhaven University in Clarion, Mississippi. The Governor's Arts Awards are presented annually to outstanding writers, artists, performers, craftsmen and educators who have made significant and lasting contributions through their work as well as to corporations or organizations on the basis of their dedication to arts advancement. Previous winners include B.B. King, Little Milton Campbell, and Bo Diddley. Video of the presentation and live performance is here: http://www.alligator.com/artists/James-Cotton/. Cotton is currently celebrating his 70th year as a professional entertainer. His Grammy-nominated 2013 CD, Cotton Mouth Man, is an upbeat, warm blues album boasting fine musicianship and Cotton's undeniable spirit. Living Blues says, "James Cotton is one of the great harmonica innovators of his generation. Cotton Mouth Man is a star-studded affair that makes James Cotton's best recording for Alligator. It is an autobiographical narrative of Cotton's eventful life and soul-deep relationship with the blues. He plays with an authority and energy that belies his age." JOE LOUIS WALKER TO PARTICIPATE IN MONK INSTITUTE'S INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY IN OSAKA Blues Hall of Famer Joe Louis Walker will take part in the Thelonious Monk Institute Of Jazz's International Jazz Day in Osaka, Japan on April 30, 2014. Many other artists will also perform, including Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and John Scofield. According to the Monk Institute, "The designation of International Jazz Day is intended to bring together communities, schools and other groups the world over to celebrate and learn more about the art of jazz, its roots and its impact. Ultimately, it seeks to foster intercultural dialogue and raise public awareness about the role of jazz music. As a language of freedom across the board, jazz promotes social inclusion, enhancing understanding, tolerance and nurturing creativity." From its base in Washington, DC, the Thelonious Monk Institute Of Jazz identifies jazz music's new voices, honoring its present and past masters, making the jazz aesthetic available and comprehensible in concert halls and classrooms around the world. The Institute is the lead nonprofit organization charged with planning, promoting and producing International Jazz Day. Walker's latest album, Hornet's Nest, has been hailed as a true blues tour-de-force. USA Today says it is "tough and resilient." Living Blues added, "Few contemporary blues artists blend aggression, deep feeling and eclecticism with the panache and ferocity of Joe Louis Walker." SONGS FROM ALLIGATOR ARTISTS APPEAR ON NATIONAL TELEVISION Alligator Records recordings from Professor Longhair, Corey Harris and Anders Osborne have and continue to appear on network television programs. Professor Longhair's Whole Lotta Lovin' (from his Crawfish Fiesta album) is the opening theme song for My Big Redneck Family, airing weekly on the CMT network. Corey Harris' Moosemilk Blues (from his Fish Ain't Bitin' CD) and Anders Osborne's On The Road To Charlie Parker (from his American Patchwork CD) both appeared in the April 1 episode of CBS Television's NCIS.

Alligator Records artist: Joe Louis Walker - Hornet's Nest - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Hornet's Nest from Joe Louis Walker and it's quite different. Opening with title track, Hornet's Nest, Walker is out of the gate with a lot of guitar pyrotechnics. With a pinch of Eric Clapton on musical style but electricity that has been lacking in much of Clapton's recent work, Walker lights it up. All I Wanted To Do has a soul style with horns and all. Muscle Shoals provides the muscle with Charles Rose on Trombone, Jim Horn on sax and Vinnie Ciesielski on trumpet. Walker takes a stroll on guitar but this is mostly an airplay track. As The Sun Goes Down is a skillfully crafted track and one of my favorites on the release. A bluesy "Thrill Is Gone" kind of feel is conjured up and Walker gets some super groans from his axe. Excellent! Stick A Fork In Me is a rolling shuffle track featuring Tom Hambridge on drums and really nice work from Reese Wynans on piano. Tommy MacDonald has a strong walking bass line on this track and Walker lights up the fretboard complimented by Rob McNelley on guitar. On classic rocker, Don't Let Go, Walker is joined by Ray Walker, Cyrtis Young and Michael Black on vocals and driven by nice bass work by MacDonald. Love Enough has a traditional Robert Johnson styling with a pinch of Cream and a bit of R&B. Walkers vocals on this track are some of my favorites and his slide playing is very cool. Ramblin' Soul is another track with a strong blues rock basis. With energy like that of the old Jeff Beck Group and electrifying guitar riffs, this track is another of my release favorites. Ride On, Baby has a simple Tom Petty like sound and strong pop appeal. Soul City takes R&B to another level with a hat tip to Sly and outrageous guitar riffs.

This release has an additional 3 tracks but I can't access the stream at this time. If I can later I will revise this review. Enjoy!

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BLUES MASTER JOE LOUIS WALKER TO RELEASE HORNET'S NEST ON FEBRUARY 25, 2014

BLUES MASTER JOE LOUIS WALKER TO RELEASE HORNET'S NEST ON FEBRUARY 25, 2014 "Powerful, soul-stirring, fierce and gritty. A legendary boundary-pushing icon of modern blues." --NPR Music   "Fine and fierce...gritty gutbucket blues, joyous Stones-style rock and aching R&B." --Billboard "Commanding and wide-ranging blues-rock...sheer passion and defiant authenticity."" --Living Blues   Award-winning blues master, Blues Hall Of Fame member and Alligator recording artist Joe Louis Walker will release his new album, Hornet's Nest (AL 4959), on February 25, 2014. Walker is among the greatest bluesmen of his generation. He is known worldwide as one of the genre's top musical trailblazers -- a mesmerizing guitarist and soul-testifying vocalist. On his dynamic new CD, Walker's music is equal parts rock ‘n' roll fire and blistering, passionate blues. Hornet's Nest was recorded in Nashville and produced by songwriter/ drummer Tom Hambridge (producer of James Cotton' Grammy-nominated Cotton Mouth Man, Buddy Guy's Grammy-winning CDs Skin Deep and Living Proof, as well as albums for Susan Tedeschi, George Thorogood and Walker's previous CD, Hellfire). Hornet's Nest -- featuring 12 songs, including nine new originals -- blends Walker's boundless energy and his myriad influences into a contemporary blues tour-de-force. His always-inventive guitar playing is matched note-for-note by his fervent vocals. From menacing, hard rocking electric blues to cool Memphis funk to R&B rave-ups to Sunday morning gospel, Walker's blues-fierce and untamed, adventurous and fun -- continue to define the genre. The band -- Hambridge on drums, Reese Wynans on B-3 organ and piano, Rob McNelley on guitar, and Tommy MacDonald on bass -- pushed Walker to deliver his absolute best performances. "It comes through loud and clear," Walker says. "If I don't believe it, nobody is gonna believe it. And ain't nobody is gonna listen to it or buy it. Tom made everything exciting." Joe Louis Walker was born in San Francisco on Christmas Day of 1949. His parents were both from the South and they brought their love of blues with them when they headed west. Joe's dad played blues piano, and his mom played B.B. King records. Walker picked up the guitar as a child, and by the time he was 16 was regularly backing touring blues artists rolling through town. San Francisco's music scene was quickly becoming a melting pot of blues, jazz and psychedelic rock, and Walker was right in the center of it. As a 16-year-old, Walker was the house guitarist at San Francisco's famed musical playground, The Matrix, where he played with or opened shows for everyone from Lightnin' Hopkins to Jimi Hendrix to Thelonious Monk. He was also a regular at The Fillmore West. The blues legends Walker accompanied shared not only musical knowledge but also their personal wisdom with the teenage up-and-comer. Fred McDowell, Ike Turner, Albert King, Freddy King, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Lightnin' Hopkins and many others taught, fed, and chastised the youngster. Inspired by what he learned, Walker developed his own fiery, melodic, and always unpredictable guitar attack. Walker met guitarist Michael Bloomfield in 1968 and the two became fast friends. Bloomfield helped push Walker's blues in a more rock-fueled direction, and he became the single biggest influence on Walker's sound. The two shared an apartment for years and remained close friends until Bloomfield's death in 1981. From 1975 to 1985, Walker performed nothing but gospel music, playing and singing as a member of The Spiritual Corinthians. In 1986, after Walker returned to playing the blues, Hightone Records released his debut CD, Cold Is The Night. Firmly rooted in blues, gospel, R&B and rock, the album caught the attention of music fans around the country. Prior to joining Alligator Records in 2012, Walker had released 23 albums and toured the world virtually non-stop. He has garnered four Blues Music Awards (and has been nominated a whopping 52 times) and holds an international reputation as one of the blues' most prolific and talented stars. He's also recorded as a guest with some of the blues world's best-known artists, including appearances on Grammy-winning records by B.B. King and James Cotton. His Alligator debut, Hellfire, took the blues world by storm in 2012, receiving the Living Blues Critics' Award for Blues Album Of The Year. The Chicago Tribune said, "His playing is ferocious. His solos spin wilder and wilder with the kind of fierce embellishments that Jimi Hendrix might've conjured." The success of the album helped land Walker and his band on TBS's CONAN. In 2013 The Blues Foundation inducted Walker into The Blues Hall Of Fame. "I am honored to be in the company of the great artists already inducted," Walker said at the time. "I hope to live up to the honor." Joining the ranks of previous inductees including B.B. King, Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Etta James, Howlin' Wolf and other blues greats while still at the peak of his musical powers, is, as Walker says, "a dream come true." With each subsequent release, Walker's audience continues to grow, as his touring schedule continues to expand. He's played all over the U.S. and Canada, major European festivals including The North Sea Jazz Festival, Glastonbury, Notodden and Montreux, as well as festivals in Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Ireland, Turkey and Brazil. Now, with Hornet's Nest, Walker is excited about bringing even more people to his music. "Blues is a big tent," he says, "morphing into a bigger tent. Young folks like good blues when they hear it, and I'm here to make sure they want to listen."

Seven Alligator Artists Receive 11 Living Blues Award Nominations

SEVEN ALLIGATOR ARTISTS RECEIVE 11 LIVING BLUES AWARD NOMINATIONS Living Blues magazine announced the nominees for the 2013 Living Blues Awards in their June 2013 issue. Seven Alligator Records artists received a total of 11 nominations. Joe Louis Walker, Curtis Salgado, Marcia Ball and Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials each received two nods. James Cotton, Janiva Magness and the late Michael "Iron Man" Burks each received one nomination. People may vote online at www.livingblues.com until July 15, 2013. Alligator artists and nominations are as follows: JOE LOUIS WALKER: Blues Artist Of The Year - Male Best Blues Album Of 2012 (New Recordings): Hellfire LIL' ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS: Best Live Performer Best Blues Album Of 2012 (New Recordings): Jump Start CURTIS SALGADO:     Blues Artist Of The Year - Male Most Outstanding Blues Singer JANIVA MAGNESS: Blues Artist Of The Year - Female MICHAEL "IRON MAN" BURKS: Best Blues Album Of 2012 (New Recordings): Show Of Strength MARCIA BALL: Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) ### www.ALLIGATOR.com

Joe Louis Walker Inducted Into The Blues Hall Of Fame

GUITARIST/VOCALIST/SONGWRITER JOE LOUIS WALKER INDUCTED INTO THE BLUES FOUNDATION'S BLUES HALL OF FAME On Wednesday, May 8, guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Joe Louis Walker was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall Of Fame. The induction ceremony was held at the Memphis Marriott Downtown in Memphis, Tennessee. According to The Blues Foundation, "The Blues Hall of Fame is a historical record of those who have made the blues timeless through performance, documentation, and recording. Since its inception in 1980, The Blues Foundation has inducted new members annually into the Blues Hall of Fame for their historical contribution, impact and overall influence on the blues." Previous inductees include B.B. King, Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Etta James, Howlin' Wolf and other blues greats. According to Walker, the induction is humbling. "I am honored to be in the company of the great artists already inducted. It's a dream come true. So many of the other inductees were not alive to appreciate the recognition. I hope to live up to the honor." The 34th Annual Blues Music Awards will be held this evening, May 9. Walker is nominated for four 2013 Blues Music Awards including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award. His 2012 Alligator Records debut CD, Hellfire, is nominated for Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year. Additionally, Walker is nominated for Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year and Gibson Guitar Guitarist Of The Year. Living Blues magazine named Hellfire the #1 Blues CD of 2012. The Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot declared Hellfire Walker's "most rock-oriented release," bringing "the kind of fierce embellishments that Jimi Hendrix might've conjured" and that his guitar playing "spins ever wilder and wider into outer space with each solo." The Wall Street Journal's Jim Fusilli says, "Walker's raspy, powerhouse voice is out front while his stinging guitar cuts through the uncluttered arrangements." Walker received massive amounts of radio play and critical praise for Hellfire, and appeared on Conan in March of 2012, where he performed the song Ride All Night. ### www.ALLIGATOR.com

Joe Louis Walker Named To Blues Foundation's Blues Hall Of Fame

GUITARIST/VOCALIST/SONGWRITER JOE LOUIS WALKER NAMED TO BLUES FOUNDATION'S BLUES HALL OF FAME On Wednesday, February 13, The Blues Foundation in Memphis named guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Joe Louis Walker to be a 2013 Blues Hall Of Fame inductee. The induction ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 8 at the Memphis Marriott Downtown in Memphis, Tennessee, the night before the 34th annual Blues Music Awards. According to The Blues Foundation, "The Blues Hall of Fame is a historical record of those who have made the blues timeless through performance, documentation, and recording. Since its inception in 1980, The Blues Foundation has inducted new members annually into the Blues Hall of Fame for their historical contribution, impact and overall influence on the blues." Previous inductees include B.B. King, Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Etta James, Howlin' Wolf and other blues greats. According to Walker, the induction is humbling. "I am honored to be in the company of the great artists already inducted. It's a dream come true. So many of the other inductees were not alive to appreciate the recognition. I hope to live up to the honor." Walker is nominated for four 2013 Blues Music Awards including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award. His 2012 Alligator Records debut CD, Hellfire, is nominated for Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year. Additionally, Walker is nominated for Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year and Gibson Guitar Guitarist Of The Year. Hellfire was recently named the #1 Blues CD of 2012 by Living Blues magazine. The Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot declared Hellfire Walker's "most rock-oriented release," bringing "the kind of fierce embellishments that Jimi Hendrix might've conjured" and that his guitar playing "spins ever wilder and wider into outer space with each solo." The Wall Street Journal's Jim Fusilli says, "Walker's raspy, powerhouse voice is out front while his stinging guitar cuts through the uncluttered arrangements." Walker received massive amounts of radio play and critical praise for Hellfire, and appeared on Conan in March of 2012, where he performed the song Ride All Night. ### www.ALLIGATOR.com

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Tell Me - Joe Louis Walker

Joe Louis Walker, also known as JLW (born December 25, 1949) is an American musician, best known as a electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. A feature of his work is his recourse to older material or playing styles, which revealed his knowledge of blues history. Joe Louis Walker was born in San Francisco, California, United States. He came from a musical family, amidst the early influences of T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, Meade Lux Lewis, Amos Milburn, and Pete Johnson. Walker first picked up the guitar at the age of eight, and became a known quantity within the Bay Area music scene by the age of 16. While publicly performing through his teens, he soaked up many influences (especially vocalists such as Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Bobby Womack and Otis Redding). Over these early years, Walker's musical pupilage saw him playing with John Lee Hooker, J.J. Malone, Buddy Miles, Otis Rush, Thelonious Monk, The Soul Stirrers, Willie Dixon, Charlie Musselwhite, Steve Miller, Nick Lowe, John Mayall, Earl Hooker, Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix. By 1968, he had forged a friendship with Mike Bloomfield; they were roommates for many years until Bloomfield's untimely death. This event was the catalyst that placed Walker into a lifestyle change. He left the world of the blues and enrolled himself at San Francisco State University, achieving a degree in Music and English. Throughout this time, Walker was regularly performing with The Spiritual Corinthians Gospel Quartet. After a 1985 performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, he was inspired to return to his blues roots whereupon he formed the "Bosstalkers" and signed to the HighTone label. Under the auspices of Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker, his debut album, Cold Is The Night was released in 1986. He began a worldwide touring schedule, delivering a four more releases in succession for HighTone (The Gift (1988), Blue Soul (1989), Live At Slims Vol 1 (1991), and Live At Slims Volume 2 (1992). After the long partnership with HighTone, Walker was signed by Polygram to their Verve/Gitanes record label. His first of many Polygram releases ensued with Blues Survivor in 1993. This marked the beginning of an eclectic era that merged many of his gospel, jazz, soul, funk and rock influences with his trademark blues sensibilities. 1993 also saw the release of B.B. King's Grammy Award-winning Blues Summit album, which featured a duet with Walker (a Walker original, "Everybody's Had the Blues"). This was followed up by a live DVD release, featuring another duet with Walker (a rendition of "T-Bone Shuffle"). JLW was released in 1994, featuring guests such as James Cotton, Branford Marsalis, and the Tower Of Power horn section. During this period, Walker's touring schedule saw many re-appearances at the world's music festivals (North Sea Jazz, Montreaux, Glastonbury, San Francisco, Russian River Jazz, Monterey, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage, Byron Bay, Australia, Notodden, Lucerne, and at the Beacon Theatre in New York). Walker also spent years covering all the major western television networks (Conan O'Brien, Imus, Jools Holland UK, inauguration for George W. Bush, inducting B.B. King for President Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton into the Kennedy Centre Honors, Ohne Filter, Germany, Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame) as well as numerous worldwide TV networks. Blues Of The Month Club was released in 1995, and was the first of three Walker albums that were co-produced with Steve Cropper. This was followed up by the release of Great Guitars in 1997. Walker's guest musicians on this release, included Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Otis Rush, Scotty Moore, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Steve Cropper, Tower Of Power, and Ike Turner. Also in 1996, Walker played guitar on James Cotton's, Deep in the Blues, a Grammy Award winner for "Best Traditional Blues Album". In addition, Walker won his third Blues Music Award for Band of the Year (1996) which was preceded by two similar awards for "Contemporary Male Artist of the Year" (1988 and 1991). Walker also won the 1995 Bammy (Bay Area Music Award) for "Blues Musician of the Year". He then released Preacher and the President in 1998 and Silvertone Blues in 1999 (his sixth album for Polygram). This sequence continued with In The Morning (Telarc 2002), Pasa Tiempo (Evidence 2002), Guitar Brothers (JSP 2002), She's My Money Maker (JSP 2003), Ridin' High (Hightone 2003), New Direction (Provogue 2004) and Playin' Dirty (JSP 2006). In 2002, he featured on the Bo Diddley tribute album, Hey Bo Diddley - A Tribute!, performing the song "Who Do You Love". In March 2008, Walker signed to Stony Plain Records, and recorded his first album for the label in April (produced by Duke Robillard). This album featured guest appearances by Robillard and Todd Sharpville, and was released in September 2008. His second album for the label was released in September 2009 entitled, Between A Rock and The Blues. This album featured Kevin Eubanks as a special guest, best known for his work as the musical director for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. This album has garnered five nominations in the 2010 Blues Music Awards. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Rachelle Plas & Joe Louis Walker

Rachelle Plas, a Girl, her Harmonica and its Voice.

AWARDS on 2010:

GRAND PRIX CAHORS BLUES FESTIVAL
PRICE BLUES ON SEINE


TOWER 2010:

Festival Country QUATREMARE
COW OF BLUES
CAHORS BLUES FESTIVAL
COGNAC BLUES PASSIONS
NHL FESTIVAL - BRISTOL BOARD (UK)
BLUES ON SEINE
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Lil Ed Williams and the Blues Imperials with special guest Joe Louis Walker

Lil' Ed Williams (born April 18, 1955, Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. With his backing band, the Blues Imperials, slide guitarist Williams has built up a loyal following
Williams and his half-brother James "Pookie" Young, received childhood encouragement and tutelage from their uncle, J. B. Hutto, and by 1975 the half-siblings had formed the first version of the Blues Imperials.

A decade later and Alligator Records offered them the chance to record for a forthcoming compilation album. In the event they cut a full album's worth of material that was released as Roughhousin' (1986). They then appeared at music festivals and toured widely. Their second album release was entitled, Chicken, Gravy & Biscuits (1989), and their third LP, What You See is What You Get was issued in 1992. At this point the group disbanded, while Williams issued two solo albums; Keep On Walking, followed by Who's Been Talking (1998), the latter with Willie Kent.

In 1999 the release of Get Wild marked the group's reunion, and has been followed in subsequent years with Heads Up (2002), Rattleshake (2006), and Full Tilt (2008) .

In June 2008, Williams and the Blues Imperials appeared at the Chicago Blues Festival. The same year Williams guested on Magic Slim's album, Midnight Blues. In June 2009, Williams appeared as a guest on the radio quiz game show, produced by Chicago Public Radio and National Public Radio, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
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Sugar Coated Love - Joe Louis Walker with Bertha Blades

Sorry... not much of a bio available... here you go:
Bertha Blades Band is an electric blues rock band based in Brooklyn.
You all know Joe Louis Walker. If not look in my Blues Library or watch for another post. He's always hot of course!
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Jan. 2012 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Part I - correspondent Stilladog

Hello Blues fans! They call me Stilladog. Don't ask why, there are many fitting reasons for that name.

The Bman and I have been friends for upwards of 45 years or so and we have shared a common bond in music for that whole time. Suffice it to say he has introduced me to a ton of great music over the years and I have tried to reciprocate. So he asked me to guest author some posts from time to time and help his blog readers become aware of, and familiar with, some of the great blues out there.

Having just returned from the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise earlier this week, I wanted to start off by giving you a run down on the best 7 day party on earth!

The biggest hit of the cruise was without a doubt West Coast guitarist Chris Cain. He was the artist I most wanted to see and I was not disappointed. I met him in the Crow's Nest bar the first hour I was on the ship and saw him play 3 times. Each of his shows were absolutely sizzling!

He obliterated Tommy Castro in a bit of old school "head cutting" at one of the late night jams. All of his shows were filled with passionate tasteful playing that came from both his heart and from deep in his soul.

One of his signature tunes is "Drinkin' Straight Tequila." At his last show in the Showroom At Sea (main concert stage), a gentleman politely handed me a flask of straight tequila with which to totally immerse myself in the music. But that kind of thing happens routinely when you "Bluesin' on the high seas."

Next up, the most pleasant suprise of the cruise; also hailing from the West Coast, was Cafe R&B. I unfortunately was unable to see these guys until the last night. But wow was it worth the wait! Lead singer Roach came on with what seemed to me to be a high-energy combination of James Brown and Tina Turner!! As a matter of fact if James Brown and Tina Turner had a love child it would be Roach!! And much to their credit, Cafe R&B was the only band who acknowledged and honored the passing of Blues great Etta James during the cruise.

In the set that I saw, Cafe R&B also used the percussionist from the Low Rider Band, Chuck Barber. He was fantastic on congas, timbales, and just about every other thing you can hit and make a sound with!

A close runner-up in the most suprisingly good category was Shakura S'Aida from Toronto Canada. Don't lay no Boogie Woogie on the Queen of Rock and Soul! I know that's an old song and Solomon Burke was the King of Rock and Soul. But her cover of it will make you believe Shakura can lay an honest stake to that title!

This is a really tight band with all top notch musicians not the least of which was Shakura's guitarist and frequent songwriting collaborator, Donna Grantis.

I'm not sure what I expected from Shakura. I had a few of her albums so I was familiar with most of her material. I think her stage presence, personality, and the quality of her band really took me by surprise. She is most definitely a lady who should be heard on a widespread basis much more.

I didn't get to hear much of her second set due to a pretty nasty hangover. The source of which was from hanging out with some Californians with personal access to some of the finest Mendocino County wines that they traded me in exchange for a personalized guided tour of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

So if Shakura is the new Queen of Rock and Soul, then the undisputed Queen of the Blues is now Shemekia Copeland! With Koko Taylor and Etta James passing in the past 12 months let me declare now that the blues is still in good hands with Shemekia wearing the crown!!

I first saw this young lady sing when she was 19 years old. She absolutely blew me away. I have seen her at least half a dozen times since and I always come away with my mouth wide open because she always delivers a jaw dropping performance!

On this cruise I actually got to meet and talk to Shemekia and her mother, the wife of the late great Johnny "Clyde" Copeland. They were catching a Phillip Fankhauser set in the Crows Nest. For those that don't know, Johnny Copeland mentored and brought to America Phillip Fankhauser so he could live his life dream of becoming a bluesman. Fankhauser lived in the Copeland home when Shemekia was still in high school. Their friendship is uncommon and I have noticed that Shemekia and Phillip are booking festivals together this summer.

Shemekia also guested on numerous songs during one of the 3 Phillip Fankhauser (pronounced Fawnk-houser) sets I attended. Phillip is from Switzerland and after 30 years in the music business he does not hesitate to remind his audiences to "Get my fucking name right. It's Funk Houser. Don't be putting an R in there. It's not Frankhouser."

A lot of Phillip's music is very well written and he went from a virtual unknown to Blues Main Street over the course of 7 days on the ocean! He employs a horn section on most cuts and the arrangements are really nice. I highly recommend picking up any of his albums.

The usual suspects were also present on the cruise, Taj Mahal, and Tommy Castro. At some point Castro fired all his band so this was their last gig as the Tommy Castro Band in it's current configuration. Probably best for everyone. Castro also acts as bandleader for the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue which this year featured guitarists Debbie Davies and Joe Louis Walker, and harpist Rick Estrin of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats (Formerly Little Charlie & The Nightcats).

I caught a couple sets of the LRBCR and for my money Debbie Davies stole the show. She was really fantastic. Keith Crossan on Tenor Sax (formerly of the Tommy Castro Band) always turns in a professional performance and the cruise was no exception.

In the photo at left, Keith blows out a break between scorching Debbie Davies solos on the Pool Deck stage.

There are so many artists still to talk about and so many stories to tell I've run out of time for this entry. But check back in a few days and I'll share more opinions and stories of what the Blues Cruise is like including playing the steel drums with the Mighty Dow, Calypso King of St. Maartens and other exciting stuff! And please leave a comment or question so I can focus on what interests you.

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Pre-order Joe Louis Walker's HELLFIRE--Autographs Available!

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Happy New Year! Here's to a safe, fun and bluesy 2012! We are kicking off the year with the January 31st release of Hellfire, the blistering Alligator debut from Blues Music Award-winning guitar slinger Joe Louis Walker. Pre-order your copy of Hellfire by Joe Louis Walker and the first 200 will receive an autographed copy! These autographed CDs will sell fast...Order yours today! "Clenched-fist blues passion, searing guitar and powerful, soulful vocals" -- Washington Post "Walker is a singer with a Cadillac of a voice. He delivers no-nonsense, gutsy blues. His guitar solos are fast, wiry and incisive, moaning with blues despair"-- The New York Times Joe Louis Walker Hellfire Joe Louis Walker is a master of modern blues who has been releasing music since 1986. His roots trace back to the mid-1960s, where, as a 16-year-old guitarist at San Francisco's famed musical playground, The Matrix, he played with or opened shows for everyone from Lightnin' Hopkins to Jimi Hendrix to Thelonious Monk. Those ear-opening surroundings explain the ease with which Walker blends blues, rock, gospel, jazz and country. He has become one of contemporary blues' most dynamic and ferocious performers. We are thrilled to welcome him into the Alligator family. Produced by Tom Hambridge (producer of Buddy Guy's two most recent Grammy-winning CDs as well as albums for Susan Tedeschi, George Thorogood and others), Hellfire burns with rock energy and intense blues feeling. Blending his signature fiery, melodic and always unpredictable fretwork with deep, soulful vocals, Walker, who wrote or co-wrote seven of the CD's eleven tracks, has delivered the hardest rocking and most deeply soulful album of his career. Raining fire with his guitar and spitting brimstone with his vocals, Hellfire begins a brand new chapter in Joe Louis Walker's already legendary career. Pre-order Hellfire by Joe Louis Walker for the sale price of $14.98 (includes FREE U.S. shipping). The first 200 will receive an autographed copy! CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER NOW For more information on anything Alligator, go to www.alligator.com or if you have specific questions about our online store or anything in our catalog, you can call us toll-free at 1.800.344.5609 Bringing you the best houserockin' music for over 40 years, ALLIGATOR RECORDS Now you can listen to hundreds of full-length songs in your own personalized jukebox, or listen to samples of any Alligator track in our entire catalog at www.alligator.com FOLLOW ALLIGATOR ON THESE SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

33rd Blues Music Awards Presented By The Blues Foundation

The Nominees For Contemporary Blues Male Artist are:

Joe Louis Walker

 

Johnny Sansone

Too Drunk To Drive Drunk - Joe Louis Walker

Joe Louis Walker, also known as JLW (born December 25, 1949) is an American musician, best known as a electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer.[1] A feature of his work is his recourse to older material or playing styles, which revealed his knowledge of blues history
Joe Louis Walker was born in San Francisco, California, United States.[2] He came from a musical family, amidst the early influences of T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, Meade Lux Lewis, Amos Milburn, and Pete Johnson. Walker first picked up the guitar at the age of eight, and became a known quantity within the Bay Area music scene by the age of 16. While publicly performing through his teens, he soaked up many influences (especially vocalists such as Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Bobby Womack and Otis Redding). Over these early years, Walker's musical pupilage saw him playing with John Lee Hooker, J.J. Malone, Buddy Miles, Otis Rush, Thelonious Monk, The Soul Stirrers, Willie Dixon, Charlie Musselwhite, Steve Miller, Nick Lowe, John Mayall, Earl Hooker, Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix. By 1968, he had forged a friendship with Mike Bloomfield; they were roommates for many years until Bloomfield's untimely death
Alligator Records has set a January 31, 2012 release date for Hellfire, the label debut from Joe Louis Walker. The award-winning guitar slinger, passionate vocalist and gifted songwriter has been releasing groundbreaking music since 1986 and has toured -- and continues to tour -- worldwide.
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Stony Plain Records celebrates 2012 Blues Music Awards' nominations

Stony Plain Records celebrates 2012 Blues Music Awards' nominations

When The Blues Foundation announced the list of nominees for the 33rd AnnualBlues Music Awards on Tuesday, December 13, Stony Plain Record’s artists were well represented with 7 nominations. The Blues Music Awards are universally acknowledged as the highest honour for musicians and songwriters in Blues music. Winners will be announced on May 10 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. Online voting is now open to Blues Foundation members at www.blues.org. Individual and corporate memberships are available for those who would like to vote.

The nominations continue a year in which Stony Plain Records Records celebrated our 35th year as Canada's roots, rock, country, folk and blues label, with the release of a special 2CD + bonus DVD compilation, 35 Years of Stony Plain. Earlier this fall the label received 14 nominations in Canada's Maple Blues Awards, recognising the talents of MonkeyJunk, Harry Manx & Kevin Breit, Duke Robillard and Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne.

Stony Plain Records nominees for the 2012 Blues Music Awards:

Maria Muldaur

Nominated for:
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)

The Pilot:

"Muldaur has one foot in church and another in a Saturday night juke joint as she belts out hand-clapping church rousers, soul ballads and greasy swamp stompers. Over the years her voice has only gotten better, with her pipes now displaying a lusty, full-bodied resonance."

Blues In Britain Magazine:

""Soul & grit" emanates from Muldaur's voice... Muldaur and the band excel at all levels... A triumph!"

Blinded By Sound:

"There are echoes here of the way Ray Charles turned gospel into secular gold, and Muldaur shows that spirituality can still rock out - the sacred and the profane aren’t all that far apart, and spirituality can still temper earthly desire without corrupting the former or diluting the latter."

Living Blues Radio Chart:

#1 for October, #2 for November

Rory Block

Nominated for:
Acoustic Artist
Acoustic Album (for Shake 'Em On Down: A Tribute To Mississippi Fred McDowell)

Living Blues Magazine:

"There's plenty to admire in her torrid slide work, the passion she infuses into her reedy vocals, and the obvious dedication with which she has undertaken this project."

No Depression Magazine:

"Creating something new and honoring the past at the same time."

Jazz & Blues Report Magazine:

"A superb recording."

Duke Robillard

Nominated for:
Gibson Guitar Award

The Alternate Root:

"One of the pre-eminent guitarists in the world today, bar none."

Billings Gazette:

"The master blues guitarist heads back to the 1940s and '50s for a set of swinging blues covers from the Mt. Rushmore of early electric bluesmen"

Blues Revue (in Blues Wax newsletter):

"Gut Bucket with Caviar!!"

Living Blues Radio Chart:

#3 for October and November

Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

"Simply one of the best guitarists around."

Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne

Nominated for:
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player

Vintage Guitar Magazine:

"A red-hot boogie woogie ivory tickler."

Blues Festival E-Guide:

"Hammers out rockin' boogie woogie, deeply felt blues, and puts a fresh coat of paint on ... roots rock and roll."

Living Blues Magazine:

"This release is certain to garner many deserved nominations and awards."

Joe Louis Walker

Nominated for:
Contemporary Blues Male Artist

Chicago Sun-Times:

"Joe Louis Walker has achieved exalted status."

Blues Blast Magazine:

"Energy, undeniable personality, and high caliber talent."

Phoenix Blues Society:

"A fun set that sounds like it was as enjoyable to play as it must have been to watch."

Hampton Roads:

"He's the kind of guitarist... who always brings applause."

Eric Bibb

Nominated for:
Acoustic Artist
Acoustic Album (released by Telarc/Concord Music Group)

Stony Plain Records announces the signing of acclaimed folk blues singer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Bibb, and will release his debut CD for the label, Deeper in the Well, in March 2012. Deeper in the Well features Eric Bibb on vocals and guitar backed by multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell, guitarist Cedric Watson, drummer Danny Devillier and harmonica player Grant Dermody. Special guests on the CD include Michael Jerome Browne, Jerry Douglas and Christine Balfa.

Eric’s last CD, Troubadour Live, recorded at a 2010 concert in Stockholm, Sweden, was released earlier this year.

Vote Today!

You must be a registered member of the Blues Foundation to vote. Join today, if you're not already a member.

www.stonyplainrecords.com