CD Reviews

"Hellfire"

Joe Louis Walker

Alligator Records

When it comes to the blues, I have to say that Joe Louis Walker has long been one of my all-time favorite artists. I highly anticipate every new recording he puts out and can’t say that I have ever been disappointed by anything he has done. And that certainly proves to be true once again with his Alligator debut release, Hellfire. Chock full of all the exciting energy I have come to expect from him, the album is packed with great guitar and songwriting that stands amongst his best work ever. It’s rockin’, it’s soulful, crafty and imaginative.

To really make the new disc work, Walker teamed up with Tom Hambridge, best known for his work with another renowned guitarist, one Buddy Guy. Hambridge brings to the table his studio wizardry as well as his exceptional drumming and songwriting abilities, co-writing five of the disc’s tracks. Also on board are Reese Wynans on keys, Tommy MacDonald on bass and Rob McNelley on second guitar; definitely a commendable grouping. Walker himself was behind writing seven of the numbers.

Opening with the title track, “Hellfire,” that takes on the classic theme of good vs. evil. Travelin’ down the devil’s highway, tryin’ to love everybody he meets while the fire burns at his feet. It may be his curse, but it makes for some mighty explosive guitar. On the other end of the spectrum he sings about being a “Soldier For Jesus,” showing that he’s just at home singing for the other guy in this nice gospel-inflected number. He even brings in The Jordanaires, known for their work behind Elvis Presley, to provide authentic background vocals on the song. There is a lot of diversity with the album. “Ride All Night” comes across with a very Rolling Stones’ type of feel. “I Know Why” brings a soulful approach. There is also a cover of country artist Hank Snow on his “Movin’ On” offering alittle rockabilly touch. “Black Girls” is Walker’s tribute to female vocalists who can bring on the true soul in your soul rather than just rock & roll. All while tearing into some mighty rock-felt string-work as he mentions the likes of Shemekia Copeland, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner. And when it comes to all out rockers, “Too Drunk To Drive Drunk” is just a jumping, go for what it’s worth number geared to have you up and dancing.

Hellfire may come across as quite a variety of musical samplings. But for what it’s worth, if you look over Joe Louis Walker’s career, he has never set himself to be labeled as any one of type of blues man. There’s been rock, soul and down in the alley blues all along. And it’s all been first-class. With more than forty Blues Music Award nominations and four wins, Joe Louis Walker deserves to be recognized as one of the genre’s elite in the same breath as others known across the musical map like B.B King, Buddy Guy or Robert Cray. He’s simply that good. So perhaps this new marriage between him and Alligator Records will bring him to receive that same status. It’d be about time.

Total Time: 53:58

Hellfire / I Won’t Do That / Ride All Night / I’m On To You / What’s It Worth / Soldier For Jesus / I Know Why / Too Drunk To Drive Drunk / Black Girls / Don’t Cry / Movin’ On

Review by Greg Johnson