Search - Joe Louis Walker :: She's My Money Maker

Red Hot!

Steve Hinrichsen | CA, USA | 10/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The last time I reviewed a Joe Louis Walker album I stated that, if 2003 had been proclaimed the year of the blues, then 2002 was the year of Joe Louis Walker because of the three very diverse from one another releases within the year. Looks like 2003 is also the year of Joe Louis Walker with the release of "$he's My Money Maker -The Slide Guitar Album-" (JSP Records) a stunning collection that will please Walker fans to no end along with all slide junkies like myself. Ten tracks, nine of which are originals, of some of the tastiest molten slide I have heard in years are what's in store on this delicious biscuit. Now this is not the same ole "Dust My Broom" slide riff played continuously with different lyrics as you will find on most slide albums so banish that thought right away. The way Joe approaches slide, if I may quote the liner notes, "is like another voice. I can extend the note, I can have it answer me like another voice, or I can play in harmony with it." One listen to this gut buster of a recording is all it will take the listener to understand the metaphor implied. Walker takes the art of slide places it has never been before and then some. Usually I like to review a recordings highlights in chronological order but this time out it's only appropriate to start with the cuts that stand head and shoulders above the rest. "Slide Her Up And Down," is a shuffling masterpiece that doubles as a humorous ode to his guitar, and finds Joe expertly playing call and responses with himself with a landslide solo at the tail end that hits you hard enough to put you in a coma. The instrumental "Hooker's Blues," is a tribute to two of the masters of the genre that greatly influenced Walker,John Lee and Earl Hooker, and has pretty much the same effect only with a slightly more subdued tempo and some gorgeous B3 work from Geno Blacknel Jr. Both of these numbers have Walker bending the living hell out of every note evoking pyrotechnic tones that many believe are not possible in the slide realm. The album's opening "Slow Down GTO," puts the pedal to the metal with some screeching intricate twang overlayed against a chugging beat and Joe's booming vocals saluting one of the grandest of muscle cars. "Poor Man's Blues," is one of the most poignant blues tunes written in recent years bringing to light some of todays social-economic struggles set to a grinding upbeat boogie that pairs nicely with the following r&b laced "Ghetto Life," which further explores a few subjects alot of people don't care to acknowledge but won't be able to ignore due to this numbers high impact lyrics. The swinging bop of "Borrowed Time," is dazzlingly highlighted by a searing solo planted right in the middle of this reminder of mans mortality. Pulling things back a bit is "No Easy Kind Of Loving," a slow to mid tempoed bluesy lament that touches on the age old cheating woman subject that smolders under Joes' impassioned vocals before boiling over explosively in a hail of scorching licks. The Butterfield Blues Band's "Born in Chicago," pays musical homage to Joe's one time roommate Paul Butterfield with a stunning treatment that has high commercial radio and dance floor potential. As he does on all of his recordings, Walker taps into his gospel roots with the almost acoustic sounding "My Judgment Day." Notice I said "almost" acoustic sounding because the guitar work here is electric but toned down to sound acoustic as the backdrop to Walker's soulful testifying lyrics. Wrapping up things is "Eight Years Of Lovin''" a classic Chicago sounding number on which we get to hear Joe trade in his guitar for his `other' two instruments the harmonica and his incredibly colorful voice for the mellowest number of this set. Since completing a long-term recording contract Joe Louis Walker has become a musical free agent which has allowed his creativity to endlessly flow in whatever direction it has taken him and then found the right label to fit the results. Those results have been four magnificent albums in a little over a year with each being significantly different than the last and packed with superb music. Some would say this is gross over exposure but personally I surely wouldn't mind another two albums before years end from this brilliantly innovative artist who has undoubtedly taken his well deserved place with the legends. I can't wait to hear what's next. Way to go Joe!"