Product Description
A tribute album to Joe Louis Walker, who sadly passed away in April 2025! This is a re-release of a two-disc set featuring the most exciting and innovative singer and guitarist who emerged in the contemporary blues scene alongside Robert Cray in the 1980s. His groundbreaking 1986 debut album, 'Cold Is The Night,' and his 1988 second album, 'The Gift,' both released by Hi-Tone Records. The first album is raw but energetic, while the second, with its bold incorporation of a horn section and more refined sound, is highly regarded as an early masterpiece. These are truly works worth listening to again. DISC 1: Cold Is The Night 1. Cold is the Night 2. Ten More Shows To Play 3. Moanin?f News 4. One Woman 5. I Need Someone 6. Brother 7. Go Ahead and Take Her 8. Fuss and Fight 9. Gettin?f Even 10. Ridin?f High 11. Don?ft Play Games DISC 2: The Gift 1. One Time Around 2. Thin Line 3. 747 4. The Gift 5. What About You 6. Shade Tree Mechanic 7. 1/4 to 3 8. Mama Didn?ft Raise No Fool 9. Everybody?fs Had The Blues 10. Main Goal Joe Louis Walker was born in San Francisco in 1949. He started his professional career in his teens and performed with John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, among others. He was also roommates with Mike Bloomfield for a period. After a 10-year hiatus from 1975 to 1986, he returned to the blues scene. In 1986, he signed with Hi-Tone Records and made his official solo debut with "Cold Is The Night." Since then, he has consistently released over 20 albums, moving between labels such as JSP, Verve, Stoney Plain, and Alligator. His 1997 album "Great Guitars," produced by Steve Cropper and featuring renowned guest artists such as Taj Mahal and Geutmouth Brown, garnered significant attention. He also made guest appearances on albums by many famous artists, including B.B. King, James Cotton, and Bonnie Raitt, and won numerous music awards, including Grammys and Blues Music Awards. In 2023, he released "Weight of the World" on Forty Below Records, showing he was still in good spirits, but he passed away in April 2025 from heart disease at the age of 75.
