Phillip Walker

Phillip Walker

"I Got A Sweet Tooth"

Blind Pig BPcD-1146

Every time I hear Phillip Walker or Long John Hunter, I wish that I could have been on the Texas border back in the early '50's when they got their start. In my opinion these performers exemplify what a blues player's supposed to be. They are the real deal. Phillip Walker moved on to california like distant relative T-Bone and is considered a West coast-style guitarist. I can still hear a lot of that Texas influence coming through. I have only seen Phillip Walker live on two occasions. One was a very solid performance in from of several thousand at the Poconos Blues Festival a few years ago. The last time was at Gatorz in Port charlotte back in June of this year. He was incredible in this small intimate setting. I chatted with him during a break and asked if he was going to meet up with Long John Hunter the next week when he played the 5 O'clock club and WMNF’s Tropical Heat Wave. Phillip was disheartened to know that he was crossing paths with his old Texas friend, but would not be able to see him.

This cD is loaded with songs that will give you a good idea of what a live performance is like. Two of my favorites are both Alvin Smith compositions My Name Is Misery and On My Way which Walker gives his flavorful interpretation. One of the highlights of this work is How could I Be Such A Fool. Between Walker's distinctive guitar and Kas Kazanoff's background horns blended with Phillip's smooth voice, it is one of those songs that you keep humming. The cover of I'd Rather Be Blind, crippled and crazy has just a touch of Memphis soul added to the blues element, as does Rub Some Good Luck and is pulled off in top form. Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time is another song with an added feature to the blues sound. It has kind of a creole sonance, reminiscent of New Orleans.

There are some slow burners on here that I think Mr. Walker just stands out on. One of the best is his covering of Sam cooke's Laughin' and crying. The slow blues just doesn't get any better than this. The title song I Got A Sweet Tooth is another that gets inside you.

The cD finishes with two real up-tempo, horn-laden songs where Phillip's guitar and voice make you wonder why you don't own more of his work (this only makes our 3rd cD and we are looking for the others he has out). It's All In Your Mind and crying For My Baby would be guaranteed to fill a dance floor.

If you are not familiar with Phillip Walker, this is a good starting place. I promise you will go back after previous releases. From the high gear Drag Me Down as an opener all the way to the end, this is great blues. Mark - when are you going to get Phillip Walker back to Gatorz?

Tim Graham