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Joe Louis Walker

Blues Comin' On

Review by Gary Hill
I have to admit that I tend to prefer electric guitar based blues to the other varieties. This disc has a lot of that. There is a fairly wide range of sounds here, particularly when you include the closing cover that brings garage band and psychedelic sounds to the fray. The disc also includes a lot of prominent guest performers. All in all, there is a lot here to like.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2020  Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2020.
Track by Track Review
Feed the Poor Feat. Jorma Kaukonen
Some killer rocking sound brings this into being. The cut works down to more of a 1970s blues-rock vibe for the entrance of the vocals. There is some scorching guitar work on this thing.
Blues Comin' on Feat. Eric Gales
A bit mellower tune, I dig the vocals on this number a lot. There is such a killer classic blues vibe to this thing. There is some particularly expressive guitar soloing on this smoking hot song. 
Someday, Someway Feat. Carla Cooke & Lee Oskar
Another that’s more of a traditional blues tune, this has both male and female vocals as a duet. This is all class. 
The Thang Feat. Jesse Johnson
A funky number, this is so cool. It’s a lot of fun and one of my favorites here. The number works out to some killer instrumental zones later that lean toward an almost jazz exploration of the blues at times. There is some guitar work that calls to mind the hard-edged psychedelia of Jimi Hendrix.
Old Time Used to Be Feat. Keb' Mo'
Featuring some killer blues harp, this is very much a shuffling old-school blues tune. It’s a nice bit of variety and very classic in sound. I dig the slide guitar and also the piano on this cut, too.
Come Back Home Feat. Mitch Ryder
Energetic and accessible, this has more of a jazz-rock vibe to it in a lot of ways. The organ lends a lot of retro cool, and the whole tune really grooves. The horns and backing vocals both bring their own brands of class to the song.
Bootlegged Woman, Knock-kneed Man Feat. Waddy Watchel
A bit of a funky edge is heard on the classic blues styling of this track. I dig the harmonica, but the whole thing really works.
Awake Me Shake Me Feat. Carla Cooke
This cut comes in with piano. The song has a real soulful groove. Sure, it’s still blues based, but this has a lot more of an R&B ballad approach. The vocals are set as a duet that brings a bit of a jazz vibe to it. The first powered up guitar solo section brings more of a full blues rocking arrangement, but it drops back to the song proper from there. The closing movement features more of that powered up guitar blues with killer soloing.
Lonely Weekends Feat. Juma Sulton
We get another song that’s more of a traditional blues piece, complete with harmonica. The chorus of backing vocals is a nice touch. The whole thing works pretty well. It’s entertaining.
Seven More Steps Feat. Albert Lee
I love the mode and tone on this rocking song. I’d consider this a highlight of the set. The chorus section is powered up and energized. There is some great jamming here, too.
Uptown to Harlem Feat. Jellybean Johnson
I dig the funk angle on this song. It’s an energetic and fun cut.
7&7 Is Feat. Arlen Roth
A huge change, this is a cover of the classic garage band piece from the Standells. The number has a real psychedelic and almost punky vibe. They do a great version here. They shift it outward into more of a pure blues jam later, but there are still psychedelic edges to it
 
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