Toby Walker "Shake Shake Mama"

 

 

When we think of songs like the Midnight Special and Travelling Riverside Blues, we tend to think of them being more associated with bands, such as, Creedance Clearwater Revival whom covered Midnight Special on their 4th album "Willy and the Poorboys", and Led Zepellin whom first recorded their version of the song Travelling Riverside Blues "at the BBC studios in Aeolian Hall on June 24, 1969". However, it was Blues Legends Huddie Ledbetter (Leadbelly) and Robert Johnson whom first brought these songs into the limelight and now thanks to Toby Walker and his amazing new release "Shake Shake Mama", we once again get a chance to hear those 2 great songs and many more, in perhaps their more originally intended sound.

 

Accolades and rave reviews have been a part of Toby Walker's life for many years now. Dubbed a 'Fingerpicking Guitar Wizard ', by the Legendary Happy Traum, and a recipient of the 2010 NY Music Award For Best Instrumental Album and the 2002 International Blues Challenge Award presented by The Blues Foundation, Toby Walker has been a very important mainstay of the American Roots and Blues, scene for many years. Toby Walker seeked out and learned his craft from the very best, which included, "Eugene Powell, James "Son" Thomas, Etta Baker, and R.L Burnside, among others." Throughout the years he has played at not only countless Venues, but also, with countless legends, such as, Richie Havens,Taj Mahal, John Mayall, Bo Diddley, John Hammond, James Cotton, Johnny Winter, Pete Seeger, Charlie Musselwhite, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Vaughn, Robert Lockwood Junior, Lonnie Brooks, Savoy Brown, Sonny Landreth, John Sebastian, Eric Bibb, Rory Block, Duke Robillard, and J.J. Cale, to truly name just a very few. With "Shake Shake Mama", Toby Walker once again brings forth all his mastery of Piedmont, Ragtime, Delta, Texas, and Chicago Blues, to the forefront, as he pays homage to 11 Legendary Blues Masters from the past.

 

"Shake Shake Mama" consists of 16 great blues covers from the Golden Boys of the Blues, which included Mance Liscomb (Shake, Shake Mama), Blind Willie McTell (Mama Tain't Long For The Day/Broke Down Engine), Robert Johnson (Travelling Riverside Blues), Blind Boy Fuller (Keep On Truckin'/Meat Shakin' Woman), Blind Blake (Tootie Blues), Blind Willie Johnson (Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burnin'), Muddy Waters (I Got To Love Somebody/Can't Be Satisfied/She's 19 Years Old), Huddie Ledbetter (Leadbelly) (Midnight Special), Big Bill Broonzy (Shuffle Rag), Mississippi Fred McDowell (What's The Matter Now), and Bo' Carter (Cigarette Blues), as well as one Traditional song, "Crazy 'Bout an Automobile", of which was most notable covered by Ry Cooder.

 

There were a number of factors that added to the complete authenticity of the music on "Shake Shake Mama", with the first being the fact that there were only 2 performers on this album, Toby Walker, which of course was on all the Tracks, and his wife Carol Walker, whom played Upright Bass on 9 of the Tracks. Further authenticity was added by way of the many Guitars that Toby Walker used, which numbered an amazing 9 in all, most of them Vintage. Some of the Guitars featured on "Shake Shake Mama" included, a 1900 Columbia Parlour Guitar, a 1936 Gibson L-00, a 1960 Harmony Stratotone, which in the cover notes says "was plugged into a 1962 Sears Silvertone Amp", and a 1930 National Triolian, to name just 4 of the Guitars used. Some of the Guitars used were referred to by Toby Walker as "cosmetic train wrecks ."

 

It did not take long into the first Track, which is the title Track Mance Liscomb's (Shake, Shake Mama), to become aware that I was really listening to something special. Beautiful, Crisp Sounding, Old Time, Back Porch Blues, with the wonderful Vocals of Toby Walker, which sounded a bit like Steve Forbert, on the first Track. I am not sure how old Toby Walker is, but he sure has a youthful voice to him. Beyond the mastery that was Toby Walker, Carol Walker also did a top notch job on her Upright Bass, which is by far my most favorite kind of Bass to listen to.

 

Favorites for me were not easy to pick, because each song stood so firmly and uniquely on it's own, but Blind Willie McTell's "Mama Tain't Long For The Day", Muddy Waters' "I Got To Love Somebody", and Robert Johnson's "Travelling Riverside Blues", stood out slightly above the rest.

 

"Shake Shake Mama" is a real treasure trove of Old Time Blues, played and sang to perfection by one of the best Finger Pickers around.

 

For it's trueness to Styles and Sheer Enjoyment to listen to, I give "Shake Shake Mama" my Highest Rating of 5*****. "Shake Shake Mama" is a must have album for any lover, of not only the good Old Times Blues, but also for anyone that just loves great music.

 

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

 

Listen To Samples Here...

 

Additional Artist Info Here...http://www.littletobywalker.com/