The Gift (Joe Louis Walker album)

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The Gift
Studio album by
Joe Louis Walker
Released1988
GenreBlues, soul
LabelHighTone
ProducerJoe Louis Walker
Joe Louis Walker chronology
Cold Is the Night
(1986) 		The Gift
(1988) 		Blue Soul
(1989)

The Gift is the second album by the American musician Joe Louis Walker, released in 1988.[1][2] Walker was backed by the Boss Talkers.[3] He supported the album with a North American tour.[4]

Production[edit]

The album was produced by Walker with assistance from Bruce Bromberg.[5] Walker's singing style was influenced by gospel music; he wanted the music to be reminiscent of the Memphis soul of the 1960s.[6][7] He tried to avoid blues clichés in his lyrics.[8] The Memphis Horns played on several tracks.[9] Steve Berlin contributed a tenor sax solo to "Mama Didn't Raise No Fool".[10]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Robert ChristgauA−[12]
MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide[13]
Oakland Tribune[3]
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings[14]

The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote that "Walker's music swings with a smooth rhythm that lends itself well to his polished vocals and linear guitar solos."[15] The Washington Post called the album "a taut, funky record steeped in '60s soul and highlighted by some stirring vocals that occasionally recall Otis Redding."[16] Robert Christgau said that, "like they say, he just plays the blues... Yet between sharp tempos and worldly-wise material, he overcomes the boredom factor built into that time-worn endeavor."[12]

The Chicago Tribune labeled Walker "an impressive lyric writer [who] has created wry and wise songs gloriously free of the usual blues cliches."[17] The Globe and Mail determined that Walker's "a tad more traditional (and less guilt-ridden) in his approach to the blues (and life) than Cray, and he's got a nice tough edge to his playing that the yuppified Cray sometimes lacks."[18] The San Francisco Examiner praised the "sleek production and depth of feeling."[5]

AllMusic wrote that the album "just may be his finest album of all, filled with soulful vocal performances, bone-cutting guitar work, and tight backing."[11]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleLength
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't Raise No Fool" 
9."Everybody's Had the Blues" 
10."Main Goal" 

References[edit]

  1. ^ Hadley, Frank-John (1993). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. p. 225.
  2. ^ Dicaire, David (2015). More Blues Singers: Biographies of 50 Artists from the Later 20th Century. McFarland, Inc. p. 107.
  3. ^ a b Kelp, Larry (21 Feb 1988). "Recordings". Calendar. Oakland Tribune. p. 8.
  4. ^ Mackie, John (18 Aug 1988). "Walker's own old-style sound adds soul to blues double bill". The Vancouver Sun. p. G6.
  5. ^ a b "Pop Records". Datebook. San Francisco Examiner. 7 Feb 1988. p. 42.
  6. ^ MacInnnis, Craig (30 June 1989). "Return of the once and future blues giant". Toronto Star. p. E14.
  7. ^ Point, Michael (3 Mar 1988). "Walker tries to keep 'true soul' alive through his music". Austin American-Statesman. p. F5.
  8. ^ Anft, Michael (24 Mar 1988). "Blues hasn't been easy for Walker". The Evening Sun. p. C8.
  9. ^ Wynn, Ron (4 Mar 1988). "Albums". The Commercial Appeal. p. E23.
  10. ^ Hall, Ken (20 Mar 1988). "Blues for today". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2F.
  11. ^ a b "The Gift Review by Bill Dahl". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Joe Louis Walker". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  13. ^ MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 377.
  14. ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin. 2006. p. 673.
  15. ^ Trageser, Jim (26 Feb 1988). "Joe Louis Walker finding it easier to play the blues". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. C2.
  16. ^ Joyce, Mike (25 Mar 1988). "Sittin' by the Dock of the Bay Area". The Washington Post. p. N19.
  17. ^ Heim, Chris (10 June 1988). "Blues Revival Sparks Record Reissues and New Offerings". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 73.
  18. ^ Dafoe, Chris (22 Sep 1988). "The Gift Joe Louis Walker". The Globe and Mail. p. C3.
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