Joe Louis Walker great way to beat end of summer blues
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — While the rest of the world was still singin’ the blues over the death of the Queen of Soul, Joe Louis Walker was busy praisin’ women like Aretha Franklin who deserve more respect.
Walker said “a lot of songs are written about women — but not to women.”
And the low, down dirty blues were at their heart misogynistic in part.
No wonder their domestication gave them the blues, he said in moment of seriousness Saturday night at in his second appearance at Peter’s Players, as he and his trio coasted through an easy first set that was mostly slow and hard.
The way he likes his blues and his women.
Such as Sugar Mama, the hit from his 2008 album Witness to the Blues.
“Hey Sugar Mama, Where to you get that Sugar Blues?”
While there was no outpouring or clamoring for an Aretha tribute, still, it would have been nice had their been at least a note of recognition, a nod from one another professional to another. Show a little R …. Well, you get it.
One person in the crowd shouted out for Too Drunk to Drive Drunk.
And I’m sure Walker, rhythm guitarist Linwood Taylor, bassist Lenny Bradford and drummer Dorian Randolph would have done her justice.
Nonetheless, Walker and his trio gave a very satisfying performance, one that showcased the guitarist’s virtuosity that has seen him on stage with everyone from Jimmy Hendrix to Ike Turner and the legendary B.B. King.
He said King called him up and asked him to play some of his songs.
Walker said he didn’t recognize the caller, who said Walker was his favourite guitar player.
Flattered, Walker said, “of course,” inquiring a little further as to how the blues giant came to him with such praise.
“Hell, no, King said. I meant T-Bone Walker.”
Walker did hook up with King on his Blues Summit that won a Grammy, playing a Walker original, Everybody’s Had the Blues.
And on a DVD in another duet, The T-Bone Shuffle, which Walker played Saturday night in tribute to King.
Walker also paid tribute with songs to Chuck Berry, an early influence, and “Sir John” (McCartney), who he told fans before the show that he sees on occasion.
“He just gives you the McCartney wave in passing,” in acknowledgement.
But its Walker’s impeccable playing that endears fans.
He is eminently enjoyable to listen to.
Unlike a lot of players who can dazzle with their amazing speed and technical wizardry, Walker’s blues are intriguing and relatable at the same time.
That makes them universal, as he’s found like on recent trips the past year to Australia and Europe, as well as across North America.
Recently, he told me that the blues are truly universal, when people outside the U.S. and Canada are exposed to them.
“I’ve never been to a country that didn’t like the blues.”
It helps that Walker is personable — and bears a striking resemblance to actor Samuel L. Jackson.
“Just be gracious, sign some autographs and deliver on stage.”
That he did in a fashion befitting a blues singer who can hold his own playing alongside more recognizable cross-over stars.
In the blues community he’s well known as a Blues Hall of Famer.
On the road in the sticks he’s known just for his excellent shows.
That’s enough. He was a great way to beat the end of summer blues.
