Joe Louis Walker
was born on December 25, 1949, in San Francisco. His parents were migrant farm workers from Arkansas. When they moved to California, the family brought along their extensive collection of 78 rpm blues recordings. Walker grew up listening to these sounds and was drawn to them.
His family was religious, and gospel music became a central focus. As a youngster, Walker would sing gospel at his grandmother’s church, and then professionally in his early career. He never let go of his gospel roots and it serves as the underlying theme for most of his music.
During grade school he was captivated by all the different musical instruments. And Walker would take home and experiment with as many as he could… At the age of 12 he bought his first guitar and he began to play. He took lessons at 14 and learned techniques from his cousins, who at the time had formed a band.
Walker started to play the clubs in his early teens, but his fixation would lead him to ignore his schoolwork. As a result his studies suffered until he stopped attending school altogether. This led to an ultimatum by his father of returning to school or leaving home. Accepting the ladder, Walker went his own way at 16.
Shortly after leaving home he became friends and roommates with Mike Bloomfield. Together they often performed at The Matrix in San Francisco; a popular club where the guys often performed as an opening act for stars like Muddy Waters.
Opportunities unfolded and Walker would make the acquaintances of prominent professional bluesmen such as Lightnin’ Hopkins, Freddie King, and John Lee Hooker. He also found himself jamming with the likes of The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix…
After The Death of His Friend Mike Bloomfield
Walker reassessed both himself and his career. He changed his lifestyle, enrolled in college and earned degrees in music and English. In those days he performed regularly with the Spiritual Corinthians gospel group.
Returning to the blues in 1985, he put together his band The Bosstalkers; signing to HighTone Records. There he released five albums. Then he moved to PolyGram’s Verve/Gitanes label and recorded six more albums.
For more information on Joe Louis Walker and current upcoming concert dates go to his website by clicking here or above… If you notice Walker performing in your area, do yourself a favor and go see him. It’s great stuff.
Trackswas born on December 25, 1949, in San Francisco. His parents were migrant farm workers from Arkansas. When they moved to California, the family brought along their extensive collection of 78 rpm blues recordings. Walker grew up listening to these sounds and was drawn to them.
His family was religious, and gospel music became a central focus. As a youngster, Walker would sing gospel at his grandmother’s church, and then professionally in his early career. He never let go of his gospel roots and it serves as the underlying theme for most of his music.
During grade school he was captivated by all the different musical instruments. And Walker would take home and experiment with as many as he could… At the age of 12 he bought his first guitar and he began to play. He took lessons at 14 and learned techniques from his cousins, who at the time had formed a band.
Walker started to play the clubs in his early teens, but his fixation would lead him to ignore his schoolwork. As a result his studies suffered until he stopped attending school altogether. This led to an ultimatum by his father of returning to school or leaving home. Accepting the ladder, Walker went his own way at 16.
Shortly after leaving home he became friends and roommates with Mike Bloomfield. Together they often performed at The Matrix in San Francisco; a popular club where the guys often performed as an opening act for stars like Muddy Waters.
Opportunities unfolded and Walker would make the acquaintances of prominent professional bluesmen such as Lightnin’ Hopkins, Freddie King, and John Lee Hooker. He also found himself jamming with the likes of The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix…
After The Death of His Friend Mike Bloomfield
Walker reassessed both himself and his career. He changed his lifestyle, enrolled in college and earned degrees in music and English. In those days he performed regularly with the Spiritual Corinthians gospel group.
Returning to the blues in 1985, he put together his band The Bosstalkers; signing to HighTone Records. There he released five albums. Then he moved to PolyGram’s Verve/Gitanes label and recorded six more albums.
For more information on Joe Louis Walker and current upcoming concert dates go to his website by clicking here or above… If you notice Walker performing in your area, do yourself a favor and go see him. It’s great stuff.
1. It's a Shame (6:16)
2. Midnight Train (4:17)
3. Lover's Holiday - Shemekia Copeland, Joe Louis Walker (4:14)
4. Hustlin' (5:16)
5. Witness (6:07)
6. Rollin' & Tumblin' (4:53)
7. Highview (6:48)
8. I Got What You Need (5:14)
9. Keep on Believin' (4:27)
10. 100% More Man (7:12)
11. Sugar Mama(6:25)
Download Links :
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
