Cold Cold Feeling (1995)

Although there's nothing to indicate in the CD booklet -- in fact there is no CD booklet, just a front cover that's blank inside -- the cuts on this disc would seem to come from the early '50s and Walker's tenure with the Imperial label. Certainly three of these songs -- the title track, "Strollin' With Bone," and "Party Girl" -- are among his classics, with a vocal that really has the blues, and some precise electric guitar work -- his trademark -- that smokes without ever going over the top. However, all ten of the songs ... Read More

Although there's nothing to indicate in the CD booklet -- in fact there is no CD booklet, just a front cover that's blank inside -- the cuts on this disc would seem to come from the early '50s and Walker's tenure with the Imperial label. Certainly three of these songs -- the title track, "Strollin' With Bone," and "Party Girl" -- are among his classics, with a vocal that really has the blues, and some precise electric guitar work -- his trademark -- that smokes without ever going over the top. However, all ten of the songs here are gems, and though Walker is the star of the proceedings, his instrumental work is very much a part of the ensemble, offering snaking lines and solos (plus some stirring rhythm work), but never hogging the spotlight at the expense of others. Like all of Walker's best work, this music feels like it should be heard at 1 a.m. in a smoky nightclub; it was simply a vibe that was part of him; even an up-tempo track like "Party Girl" is nothing more than a shuffle. And when the horns come in, as they do on "I Get So Weary," it's like his wonderful "Stormy Monday Blues" all over again -- and there's nothing wrong with that. At a little over 27 minutes this might not be the best value for your money around, but the music really does speak for itself. ~ Chris Nickson, Rovi Read Less