charles Walker

Leavin' This Old Town

cannonball Records

charles Walker may not be a household name to many, but perhaps in the year 2000 it shall be. Forty-one years after his first record was cut, charles Walker has come up with a gem. In this fruitful time for R&B/Soul/Blues, and all the derivatives of the aforementioned, this cD comes along. It has some great remakes, such as The Very Thing That Makes You Rich and Make it Rain. The originals make this disc a blend of partying, danceable tunes, some slow Blues, a couple with mid-tempo rhythms and topped off with a splendid gospel-tinged, soul like quality to make this total package a well-rounded blend of the Blues.

The catchy phrasing and the pleading style in which Need Somebody has been arranged makes it my utmost favorite. On first listen it was an instantaneous WOW !!! This tune grabs you immediately. The Monkey Song I'll leave to the confines of your own dwellings. This is the "dirty" Blues song on the cD. It may push the limits of taste, but one has got to smile at the fun-loving spirit of it all.

Absolutely, without a doubt, charles Walker has a fabulously lush, sweet, soul-stirring, but gruff edge seeped in his vocal prowess. His voice is up there with the greats, so many with whom he has shared the stage, including: Otis Redding, Sam cooke and Wilson Pickett-to name a few. charles Walker has managed to encompass all the vocal stylings of all the eras since the late 50's and now we have him fresh as ever into the new millennium.  It is all FINE and TIMELESS.

cheryl B. Mogul

©copyright 2000, Suncoast Blues Society