Joe Louis Walker * Bruce Katz * Giles Robson Journeys to the Heart of the Blues

Joe Louis Walker * Bruce Katz * Giles Robson
Journeys to the Heart of the Blues
Alligator Records

English harmonica player Robson states in the liner notes that this album represents a shift from what many consider it the blues today "which is a loud and proud classic rock-infused sound" that "is something quite distant from the music’s roots… ." The present collaboration between Robson, the Blues Hall of Famer Walker and keyboard wizard Katz, best known perhaps for playing with Ronnie Earl, is meant "to be a celebration of the dynamics, grooves, lyrics and, above all, the feeling of pure traditional blues. Blues played intimately and at a low volume and with the wonderful space that is created when drums and bass are taken out of the equation."

Robson also notes this recording has antecedents going back to Muddy Waters' "Folk Singer," the Blue Thumb recording "Buddy and the Juniors" with Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Junior Mance, and the European acoustic recordings by Sonny Boy Williamson. Despite the stripped-down setting and acoustic instrumentation, the playing her,e is not far removed from the blues these artists usually play, absent amplification. I point to the Washboard Sam recording "Run Me Down," where what Walker plays is not far removed from what he would play in an acoustic setting. I should be mentioned Katz is outstanding here and Walker sings pretty much as one might expect.

There is an interesting choice of material, mostly rarely covered songs, starting with Papa Lightfoot's "Mean Old Train" that opens this, along with a forceful vocal by Walker on Sunnyland Slim's "It's You, Baby." "Murderer's Home" derives from Blind Willie McTell, but the performance here has more of a stop and go feel as opposed to the fluidity that characterized McTell's music. Roosevelt Sykes' "Feel Like Blowin' My Horn," is dedicated to Robert Lockwood Junior who played on a Sykes recording of this song and Walker models his guitar here on Lockwood. More examples of Katz's superb playing can be heard on his accompaniment to Walker's singing on Big Maceo's "Poor Kelly Blues" and his rollicking boogie-woogie piano on Maceo's "Chicago Breakdown," a spectacular solo piano performance. Robson impresses throughout with his harmonica and is showcased on the instrumental "C & J Boogie" where Walker providing a simple boogie guitar backing to the energetic wailing harmonica. A highlight might be Walker's terrific vocal on Son Bonds "Hard Pill to Swallow," with Robson and Katz providing dynamic support.

It might be best described as blues unplugged as opposed to traditional blues, but this trio has put together solid and entertaining blues performances even if they may not take us to the Heart of the Blues.

I received my review copy from Alligator Records. This review appeared in the November-December 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 382). As I write this, this recording just won a Blues Music Award for Best Acoustic Album. Here is a video of the three playing in Europe.