This week I bring you Mr Aaron Thibeaux Walker, yes that’s T-Bone Walker to you and me. The album is T-Bone Blues, released in 1959. Yes its an oldie, but good lord it’s a goodie! Not only is this a good enjoyable listen, it’s also a mini course in the blues from one of the pioneers of the genre. Who is this T-Bone you may ask? The argument can be made that Mr Walker was the original first rock star guitar god. T-Bone was both musician and showman, I mean this is the man who wrote possibly the number one blues song ever recorded in “Call it Stormy Monday”, which BB King credits as being the reason he got an electric guitar. Jimi Hendrix got playing with his teeth from Walker. T-Bone could play behind his back while doing the splits. Yowsa!
Highlights include “Papa ain’t Salty”, “Mean Old World”, the aforementioned “Call It Stormy Monday”. Plus a couple of tunes to show off his chops in “Blues for Marili” and “Shufflin’ the Blues”. T-Bone Blues is a reasonably quick listen as it’s 15 songs, the longest being 5:17, most clocking in about 3 mins. Oddly enough, or maybe more appropriately the song “How Long Blues” is the longest song. When I say it’s an education in the blues, spin the album and start listing the influences you hear. Good stuff, take some time to listen, learn and enjoy.
Make a JoyFull Noise,
Dave