Originally from North Carolina, but based in Austin, Texas, Seth Walker has developed into a blues performer of some interest. The Pacific Blues label has recently issued the eponymously title, Seth Walker, a very appealing collection of performances soulfully handled. More than an able guitarist, Walker’s band of Stefano Intelisano on keyboards, Lindsay Greene on bass and Mark Hays on drums is a solid group augmented on a few selections by Kim Wilson on harp, Floyd Domino on piano, Mike Keller on guitar and Ephraim Owens on trumpet. Most of the 11 selections are penned in whole or part by Walker, but he also interprets Dave Bartholomew’s By the Water, Jimmy Reed’s I Know Its a Sin, James Hunter’s Kick It Around, and Tom Waits’ Picture in a Frame. The last number, with just Intelisano’s piano probably best illustrates how he can caress a lyric in his delivery and certainly closes the disc on a very strong reflective vein. The rest of this album suggests comparisons to Delbert McLinton and Tommy Castro in his mix of blues, soul, and a tinge of country and rock, although blues comes across as more to the core of his music. What is refreshing is his unforced vocal delivery, the solid, clean guitar playing and the strong ensemble playing over a variety of material. No one is overplaying and the result is that the music, in a sense, breathes. This is a strong release and Seth Walker is new artist of note that these ears was delighted to discover. This review was written in 2007, but I am uncertain whether it was published. I likely received a review copy from a publication or publicist. Here is Seth in performance.
James Harman has been laying his blues harmonica and vocals for several decades. He has stayed true to the blues tradition while as I note in the following review, telling his own story. This review appeared originally in the December2003-January 2004 D.C. Blues Calendar, then the newsletter of the Dc Blues Society. I do not recall if I received a review copy of this or purchased it.
In his liner notes to his latest release, Lonesome
Moon Trance (Pacific Blues), James Harman
notes how he has been going through changes in
recent years and how he has a bunch of stories
to tell which we are fortunate enough to hear now.
Harman has brought together some terrific musicians to help out on this including Kid Ramos,
Kirk Fletcher, Bob Margolin, Junior Watson, Carl
Sonny Leyland, and Gene Taylor on the twelve
tracks. Performances like Piecework Politicians
with its witty suggestions that politicians get paid
for the benefits they give the citizens or My Secret Escapade with its atmospheric use of the Bo
Diddley groove. Harmon’s superb Little Walter-styled harp graces several tracks including
Double Hogback Growler, while on his Miss
Bessie Mae Blues, his playing is more in the
Sonny Boy Williamson II vein. This is not to suggest he is a copyist, but rather simply to suggest the general flavor of his playing. It should be noted that he certainly appears to have tried to capture the feel and flavor of the
classic Chicago blues of the fifties while telling his own stories. Harman’s playing, vocals and songs stand up on their own and
are well worth hearing. This is a typically excellent recording by
Icepick James who has never disappointed this listener with his
music. If you have trouble locating this in stores, you can try
www.pacificblues.com.
Here is James in performance at the Wilmington DE Riverfront Blues Festival. Nathan james is the guitarist.
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