Grammy-Winning Blues: Joe Louis Walker Band
Walker’s new CD, Hellfire on Alligator Records is being hailed as the finest of his long career. Billboard Magazine says, “Hellfire blows all over the map…gutbucket blues, joyous gospel, Rolling Stones-style rock crunch, and aching R&B.”
The Earlville Opera House welcomes the Grammy-winning blues of the Joe Louis Walker Band on Saturday, June 8th at 8pm. Recently inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and nominated for four Blues Music Association awards, Joe Louis Walker is on tour and on fire. This performance is generously sponsored by Hayes Office Products and by media sponsor Syracuse New Times.
Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest honor given to blues artists. JLW’s nominations were for B.B King Entertainer Of The Year, Contemporary Blues Album for release Hellfire, Contemporary Blues Male Artist and for Gibson Guitar.
Walker’s new CD, Hellfire on Alligator Records is being hailed as the finest of his long career. Billboard Magazine says, “Hellfire blows all over the map…gutbucket blues, joyous gospel, Rolling Stones-style rock crunch, and aching R&B.”
Voted Most Outstanding Guitarist by Living Blues critics, Joe Louis Walker is recognized for his original blues and for his passion that has revolutionized the art of the electric guitar. In his review for Honest Tune, Fred Adams notes: “It’s been said that only B.B. King has taken the blues further, and to more destinations, than Walker…Walker proves to be just as vital as ever, continuing to redefine blues in the 21st century, just as he has throughout the past four decades.”
Joe Louis Walker grew up in the Fillmore district of San Francisco in the late fifties and early sixties. His influences include early years playing with Lightnin’ Hopkins, Fred McDowell, Magic Sam and Earl “Zebedee” Hooker. He was part of the musical psychedelic scene. “I knew them all. Carlos Santana and the guys from the Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead as well as Sly Stone and Larry Graham. My roommate at the time was Mike Bloomfield, fresh from introducing Bob Dylan to the electric guitar.”
If you have never seen JLW, here’s what you’ve been missing: “Walker sings with a sassy upper register voice but plays like a combination of Jimi, Stevie Ray, Frank Marino, and one of his heroes, Buddy Guy…. the highlight is Walker and his guitar, and you get plenty of both…
“If you have never seen JLW, here’s what you’ve been missing: “Walker sings with a sassy upper register voice but plays like a combination of Jimi, Stevie Ray, Frank Marino, and one of his heroes, Buddy Guy…. the highlight is Walker and his guitar, and you get plenty of both, what with jumping vocals alongside a band that keeps the rhythms nailed and the atmosphere hot.”
Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, Mark Tucker
Don’t miss an evening with San Francisco blues guitar icon Joe Louis Walker and his biting West Coast blues this Saturday, June 8th! General admission is $18 and $16 for EOH members and students are discounted to $13. Premium seating in the first 4 rows is an added $5.
The EOH Theater is wheelchair-accessible with a ramp and a lift. During your visit, take advantage of the new exhibits in the three EOH Art Galleries, the Artisan’s Gift Shop featuring New York artists and the EOH Arts Café! Delicious refreshments will be available before the show and during intermission, including hot and cold drinks. For more information, or to reserve your seats, call 315-691-3550 or order online at http://www.earlvilleoperahouse.com. The Opera House is located at 18 East Main Street, in Earlville, NY.
EOH events are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and through the generosity of EOH members.
Earlville Opera House 