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Joe Louis Walker is quite the triple threat. Not only is he a superb blues guitarist, with remarkable fluency and imagination, he's also an excellent singer (as you might expect from someone who came up through gospel groups), and an excellent writer with a strong penchant for soul music. For the most part, his blues isn't the heart-wrenching type, but deals with mistrust and double-dealing ("Messed My Mind Up") and good times ("Custom Cars, Gibson Guitars"). Throughout he blurs the line between blues and soul, which effectively makes this one of the best soul albums in a long time, as he shows on "Do You Love Me" and "You Don't Love Me Girl." With "Soldier for Jesus" his blues mixes with gospel, and some wonderful guitar work. With a small band -- bass, drums keys -- that truly swings, he keeps center stage, which is what he needs. Whether keeping rhythm guitar gliding behind his vocals, or shining as he does on "Mr. G's Boogie," his fretwork is fresh, wonderfully clean, and played with the kind of style and imagination all too often missing these days. Indeed, about the only misstep on the record is "Tempting Me," which talks up how much he's loved by the women when he's on the stage. Maybe it's tongue in cheek, but it also comes across as filler next to the other songs. And the closer, "Lena," tails everything off with a lyrical joy. A superb record from someone who might just be the best contemporary bluesman. ~ Chris Nickson
Live Recording
Recording information: Prairie Sun Studios, Cotati, CA.
Photographer: Steve Jennings.
Personnel: Joe Louis Walker (vocals, guitar); Joe Louis Walker; Ellis Blacknell Jr. (keyboards); Robert Watson (bass guitar); Carl Cutler, Carl Carter (drums).
Audio Mixer: Pete Carlson .
Living Blues (p.58) - "[H]is mix-and-match approach toward genres and generations continues to bring new perspective to tried-and-true ideas."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[A] return to the plain-dealing of his earlier work, but with a new intensity in his guitar-playing."
Joe Louis Walker - New Direction Songs
| 1 | Do You Love Me? | | | |
| 2 | Custom Car, Gibson Guitars | | | |
| 3 | Messed My Mind Up | | | |
| 4 | New Direction | | | |
| 5 | You Don't Love Me Girl | | | |
| 6 | Tempting Me | | | |
| 7 | Soldier for Jesus See All 2 | | | |
| 8 | Mr. G's Boogie | | | |
| 9 | Ain't That Cold * See All 2 | 5:49 | $1.29 | (From different album) |
| 10 | Lena | | | |
| (*) MP3 for this song is from a different CD. Listen to the sound sample to be sure this is the version you're looking for. |
New Direction Music Review
Average Rating: (3.5 out of 5 stars)    its real bluse;
I dig IT it' dame sher ant woterd down, ITS A grate cd' if your INto the blues,
Submitted by red dog 50 (94565)
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POWER BLUES
Ignore the other review blues fans ,joe is smokin on his new release. His vocals are certainly not (yelling)obviously a review by someone not up too much with the blues? His vocals are very powerful, and his guitar is blasting away as always.If you,re a real fan of the blues, you certainly will dig this . Buy it for sure !!!!PEACE
Submitted by PAUL (Upper Burrell PA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  Joe Rides Again
Joe Louis Walker has another new album. He’s been very prolific in the last few years. This latest release unfortunately is not one of his better efforts. Most of the songs are in the power blues vein. His vocals are getting harsher. More of a shout, on the edge of hysteria, than singing really. Fortunately his guitar work is right up there, especially on slide. There are a couple of instrumentals to break it up a bit. Pity there wasn’t more music and less vocals.
Submitted by tonym (Australia)
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 Fadeing blues man
This Cd is a weak release for JLW. I think his best years are behind him. I saw him in Germany 2 months ago and he was right out of it. The other guitar player he had in the band was really quite excellent. This is Joe's worst CD to date I'd have to say.
Submitted by bullseye55 (Canada)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 0 of 1 found this helpful.
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