"That whole album was made in Muscle Shoals with the Muscle Shoals band; The Swampers. The same guys that played with everybody from Aretha to Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Stones with Roger Hawkins on the drums, David Hood on the bass, JimmyJohnson was alive then on the guitar, Clayton Ivey on keyboards because Barry Beckett had passed; Steve Cropper co-produced it with me and yeah, we had a blast making that record because that was a great band."
"The Preacher and the President"was released in 1998 by blues great Joe Louis Walker and as one can read above; Joe doesn't mess around when it comes to recording his music. Truly getting by, "With a little help from his friends," he's used the pandemic down-time to finish a new album, to continue honing his craft and waiting patiently for things to return to somewhat normal; aka, live gigs.
The new album is still untitled and is due out toward the end of summer or early fall and once again, much like 2020's "Blues Comin' On" Joe employed his rolodex, oops, I mean contact list to contribute to its recording.
"Most of the time, it's people that I know. On "Blues Comin' On" I have not only Dion and Eric who I've known since I was about 15 but I also have Keb Mo, John Sebastian, Carla Cooke who is Sam Cooke's daughter on two of the tracks, David Bromberg, JormaKaukonen, Albert Lee is on one song; there's quite a few friends on that record. So, when I choose people to be on my records, it's usually someone I know, somebody that I have worked with, somebody that Lappen may have recommend; be it a female singer or a different guitar player. He'll send me two or three things and I'll listen; so that's basically how it works for me."
"Dion sang the first part of that song and then I sang it and then Eric Gales played lead guitar and Waddy Wachtel is on there too, he played acoustic guitar; it turned out pretty good," he said with a hearty laugh as he discussed the title track of thatprevious album while re-affirming his inner circle of, "Friends.""On this new record there are 11 songs, I'm thinking of calling it "Electric Eclectic" because it's pretty eclectic," he laughed once again. "It's got different things because people ask; what would you sound like doing this one? I wonder what you'd sound like if you did that song? So, I did a few songs that people asked me to do and I have some new original material on there; we're hoping that people enjoy it. Waddy is on the record of course and I did Waddy's song, "Werewolves Of London" and I did it really, really funky. I have a great young lady named Betty Miller from Harlem and she sang a track with me; she's on the Wolf Record label; she is a great singer. John Lappen listens to all of these up and coming artists and I told him I needed a female singer for a song called, "Lady In Red" which was a song that a friend of mine had wrote in the 1960's and we recorded it in 1970; I think it was when I was living in California. I wanted to do it as more of a guitar driven song with the woman and the man going back and forth; so, I Googled her and listened to some of the things that she's doing and she sounds great; definitely an up and comer. I met Juma Sultan at Woodstock the great percussionist who played with Jimi Hendrix; this is the second record he is on. We haven't picked the exact date for release; we haven't finished the art for it yet but it's mixed and mastered and all of that stuff; it needs two or three months of lead-in time before they release it. So, I'm thinking late August, September, somewhere around there."
Recording this record wasn't all he was doing to keep busy over the past year; sometimes those friends need help too and Joe is always willing to oblige because after all; he feels the closeness of being a working musician and knows the effort it takes to maintain the level of professionalism needed for a cohesive unit; especially after having most of the year off.
"I've been finishing this record which should be out some time in August or September as I said and I've worked on quite a few other people's records that were released. I was on Dion's record and there are some that haven't been released yet; I was trying to keep busy musically even when there wasn't that much to do. I was trying to keep my chops up when there wasn't that much to do; I'd go downstairs and play a little bit in my basement. I'd play a little guitar, little bit of piano, little harmonica; music is such an organic thing which most of the time you do with other people (laughs). That's the joy of it, I know a lot of musicians who are friends of mine who say they go down and play twice, three times a week but it's not the same."
"What we do is inspirational; you can if you want to but people will notice immediately if you think you're gonna just dial it in. This really is give and take with the people that you are playing for; a group is like a ball team; you go into a different town and you grab each other and try and lift each other up. Somebody may have a cold that night and maybe they can't sing their part and you make compensation for it and that's the stuff that brings groups together and to be honest that's how you find different things; that's how you find your sound in a way. You make a mistake or something is missing and it comes out in what we are doing; it's like if you are a singer; what is it about the voice? The voice is a muscle and if you don't exercise that muscle and just go out and start singing the way you would normally sing; you're going to blow your voice out. You've got to work your way up; one of the things that I do when I'm at home is try to get down and force myself to sing. Believe me, I know for a fact that everybody who sings for a living, the hardest thing they have to do is to get in and try to sort of make it seem like they are singing in the same type of situation as if they were singing for an audience of people. It is really hard to take that and sing for nobody as if you were singing for 1,000 people; there's no substitute for that (laughs). There's no substitute for 1,000 people, there's no substitute for 100 people. So, you've really got to visualize and get in there; depending on what kind of music you're singing and what your voice is but it's like when you play guitar; your arm is the muscle. Your elbow, your wrist, your niche, the way you holding your chords shredding as they call it; you know what? If you've not shredded in about a month and a half, you might get a cramp and that could be pretty embarrassing but it can happen to the best of us. So, I can totally relate to getting back up on the horse but the horse has still been galloping every day and going on and you ain't! You have to get used to how you're gonna gallop and how you're gonna try and lead the horse; it's something that you just can't dial in, it's physical and mental."
Well, Joe's patience and perseverance has paid off and the dividend is arriving in the form of some live gigs complete with audiences; two of which are in Marlboro, NY and Sellersville, PA early in the month of May. Walker is ecstatic to be performing at a larger venue but but he realizes that things could change in a minutes time; let's say he's cautiously optimistic.
"I just did a little gig here at The Town Crier in Beacon, NY; me and Murali Coryell did an acoustic duet and that was recently. I have my band and I, we are going to be at The Falcon on May 7 in Marlboro, NY; an outside show and then we are going to be at Sellersville Theater on May 8; both limited capacity shows but it's good that the theater is trying to bring some live music to the folks. I've got some other gigs in June and some coming up in July but the only thing about gigs in the COVID era is that if a municipality has an outbreak then everything changes. It doesn't make any difference if it's two minutes before the show, if there is something going on and then everything has to adhere to CDC guidelines; a lot of shows have been pushed back three, four, five times because there were outbreaks in different areas. It's hard to make concrete plans but as we go on, it seems to be going hopefully in the right direction where we can get some live music back."
"We've played outside and we did a couple of things for the Tupelo Music Hall up in New Hampshire," he went on, "That was an outdoor show but quite a while back. We did another in Plattsburgh, NY and those went pretty well but to do an inside theater? There's not a lot of people doing them. Sellersville is a big theater but as far as things getting even half-way back to normal; I don't think we are quite there yet."
Walker says even with the lack of on-stage hours that, "The show is usually around 90 minutes but it will end up being a couple of hours," at Sellersville Theater so, if attending just know that Joe and the band are looking to deliver an evening of solid blues and rock 'n' roll music. So, what is on the tune menu? Any new songs from the next album?
"We'll probably play a song or two off the new album but we'll be doing some songs off of my previous albums; I've got 30 (laughs). We'll definitely be doing some off of "Blues Comin' On;" we like that song and we do a pretty good version of that song; different things that we have been working on. Everybody is just chompin' at the bit to play and perform for people so, it should be a good night."
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Al's Airport Inn 636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton (609) 883-5252 Wed. 7 p.m. Brian ElliotBroken Goblet Brewing 2500 State Road Bensalem, PA (267) 812-5653 Thurs. 7 p.m. Mike Estabrook Fri. 8 p.m. "Broken Karaoke" Sat. 8:30 p.m. "First Saturdays" w/ Bridge Beat Duo Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic w/ Cara Cartney All Shows 21+Championship Bar 931 Chambers street Trenton (609) 396-5457 Tuesday 8 p.m. "Jam Night" Hosted by Nikki & Caleb Ages 21+Clubhouse at Mountain View (The Patio) 850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing (609) 771-0400 Fri. 6 p.m. Bridge Beat DuoCOARadio.com 125 South Main Street Hightstown (609) 241-7103 Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Rory D'Lasnow, Joe Louis Walker, Danny's Mom Cooper's Riverview 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton (609) 393-7300 Thurs. 7 p.m. The Time Peace Fri. (4 p.m.) "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere Happy Hour" (8 p.m.) Shameless Sat. 8 p.m. 80's Undercover Sun. 11 a.m. "Sunday Latin Brunch" w/ Victor Tarassov Mon. 7 p.m. "Sunny Monday Blues Jam" Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ Karen and Mark Wed. 12 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays' All Events Ages 21+Cream Ridge Winery 145 Route 539 Cream Ridge (609) 259-9797 Sat. 2 p.m. Alex English Sun. 2 p.m. Ronnie BrandtDacey's Pub 215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA (215) 295-4838 Fri. 6 p.m. Acoustic Music Night Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo Dempster's Pub 437 Pine Street Mount Holly (609) 261-0500 Thurs. 9 p.m. "Ladies Night" and "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Entertainment Fri/Sat. 8 p.m. DJ EntertainmentDog & Bull Brew House 810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA. (215) 788-2855 Fri. 6 p.m. Vince Schneider Sat. (10 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. 4 p.m. (TBA) Sun. (12 p.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. (4 p.m.) Brian ElliotEddington House Bensalem 2813 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA (215) 639-1220 Fri. 8 p.m. The Zone Acoustic Sat. 8 p.m. Brian & Mindy Wed. 7 p.m. Cinco de Mayo Party w/ "Se7en Band" Forsgate Country Club 375 Forsgate Drive Monroe (732) 521-0700 Tues. 10:30 a.m. "The Ryan's Quest Golf Classic 2021" German American Society 215 Uncle Pete's Road Hamilton (609) 585-5200 Fri. 7 p.m. Ess Gees (Outdoor event). $15/$20Gleason's Bar 6700 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA (215) 943-4781 Thurs. 7 p.m. Weekly Corn Hole Tournament Fri. (6 p.m.) "Happy Hour" w/ (TBA) (9 p.m.) Shinkickers Sat. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula and Sam Wed. 5:30 p.m. Family Fun Night w/ "Gina the Balloon Girl" Greenhouse 90 South Main Street New Hope, PA (215) 693-1657 Thurs. 8 p.m. "Musicians Night Out" Hosted by Lovelight Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Sam Ryan Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Hosted by Dwayne DunlevyGrounds For Sculpture 80 Sculptors way Hamilton (609) 586-0616 Thurs. 9:30 a.m. Tai Chi Sat. 10 a.m. "Member Mornings" Sun. 1 p.m. Family MeditationHopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Avenue Pennington (609) 737-4465 Fri. 4 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Modern Rewind Sat. (1 p.m.) Acoustic DuoVer (4 p.m.) "Music & Merlot" feat. Craig Leach Group Sun. 1 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Dan KasselIron Plow Vineyards 26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus (732) 306-9111 Fri. 6:30 p.m. George Dern Sat. 6:30 p.m. Rob Silvers Sun. 2 p.m. Bud & MaggsIvy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton (609) 888-1435 Thurs. 9:30 p.m. "Thursday Night Dance Party" Kellysbar 14 Railroad Avenue Wrightstown (609) 723-4242 Fri. 8 p.m. Asylum ChoirKillarney's Publick House 1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton (609) 586-1166 Thurs. 5 p.m. "Girls Night Out" Sat. 5 p.m. Mario & FrankKUO Social 2360 Route 33 Suite 106 Robinsville (609) 208-9988 Thurs. 6 p.m. The Blue-Eyed BalladeerLaurita Winery 85 Archertown Road New Egypt (609) 752-0200 Fri. (7 p.m.) Mexican Fiesta Dinner. $29 (Reservations required for 2-6 people) (7:30 p.m.) "Yeast Coast Comedy" Hosted by Tom Mongelli feat. Buddy Harris, Joe Fernandes. $25 (Online tickets only) Sat./Sun. 11:30 a.m. "Cinco de Mayo Laurita Cantina" $20 (Per Table) Marie's Kozy Korner 111 Trenton Road Fairless Hills, PA (215) 943-3131 Fri. 7 p.m. Bill Monach Sat. 7 p.m. Hind SightMcGuinn's Place 1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence (609) 392-0599 Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke Ages 21+ McStews Irish Sports Pub 5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA (215) 949-9570 Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beer Pong Night" Sat. 9 p.m. All Lit UpMusic Mountain Theater 1483 Route 179 Lambertville (609)397-3337 Fri. 8 p.m. "Groovin' Up Broadway; A 70's Revue" Sat./Sun. 3 p.m. "Groovin' Up Broadway; A 70's Revue"Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company 909 Ray Avenue Croydon, PA (215) 458-7081 Fri. 7 p.m. FREE Movie Night Sat. 2 p.m. "A Celebration of Dogs" New Egypt Flea Market Village 933 Monmouth County Road Cream Ridge (609) 758-2082 Sat. 12 p.m. "The SPRING Big Kid Toy Show"New Hope Winery 6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA (215) 794-2331 Fri. 8 p.m. Griffin House. Doors open at 7 p.m., $35.Newtown Brewing Company 103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA (215) 944-8609 Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night Sat. (1 p.m.) "Kentucky Derby Party" (7 p.m.) Ryan SabalaskeNick's Roast Beef 4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA (215) 637-5151 Thurs. 6 p.m. Natalie & Tim Fri. 6 p.m. Penny Rhodes Sat. 6 p.m. Split Decision Wed. 6 p.m. LeComptO'Fowley's Tavern & Grill 200 State Road Croydon, PA (215) 785-6998 Fri. 8 p.m. DJ EntertainmentOlde Liberty Tavern 2114 Liberty Street Trenton (609) 396-2262 Fri. 9 p.m. The White-Sacco ExperimentPalmer Square Nassau Street Princeton Sat.12 p.m. Strictly 60'sPasquale's Sports Bar 9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA (267) 202-6268 Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour feat. (TBA) Sat. 7 p.m. DJ or Live Band Entertainment Tues. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo Wed. 7 p.m. Open MicPatriots Crossing 1339 River Road Titusville (609) 737-2780 Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo" Randy Now's Man Cave 134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown (609) 424-3766 Sat. 7:30 p.m. Robyn HitchcockRecklesstown Farm Distillery 2800 Route 206 North Columbus (609) 784-8046 Thurs. 6:30 p.m. TriviaRevere Restaurant 802 River Road Ewing (609) 882-6365 Fri. 6 p.m. Danny Lynch Project Sat. 6 p.m. Bad HombresRosedale Mills 101 Route 31 North Pennington (609) 737-2008 Sat. 1 p.m. Outdoor Line Dancing. $10 (Rain date Sundays 12 p.m.)1675 Spirits 2685 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA (215) 645-1445 Fri. 6 p.m. John Brennan Blues DuoTemperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA (215) 944-8050 Thurs. 7p.m. "Blues Night" w/ Steve Guyger Fri. 7 p.m. Anders Hyatt Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia w/ Righteous Jolly Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Road Princeton (609) 924-2310 Sat./Sun.10 a.m. "Kite Day Festival"TGI Fridays 3535 U.S. Route 1 North #275 Princeton (609) 520-0378 Fri. 5 p.m. Kim Yarson & Joey JThe Bank of Princeton 10 Bridge Street Lambertville Fri. 6 p.m. Strange Brew CrewThe Buck Hotel 1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA (215) 396-2002 Fri. 7 p.m. Love Junk Sat. 9 p.m. LegacyThe Cool Cricket 216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro (609) 291-9110 Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke Sat. 8 p.m. Unleashed Wed. 6 p.m. "Cinco de Drinko" w/ El Ka BongThe Irish Horne Bar & Restaurant 882 2nd Street Pike Richboro, PA (215) 942-4000 Sat. 8 p.m. 60's BrigadeThe Morrisville Tavern 376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA (215) 295-5310 Mon. 7 p.m. "Country Night" Trenton Buzz 702 Pine Street Trenton (609) 392-6000 Sat. 10 p.m. "Buzzed Saturdays" Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location) 400 Union Square New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-8300 Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage All shows 21+ Vault Tap Room 19 West College Avenue Yardley, PA (267) 907-8550 Fri. 7 p.m. Jon Savage & The Classic Rockers Sat. 7 p.m. Cara Cartney w/ Michael ReinigWater's Edge Gastropub and Lounge 1067 Totem Road Bensalem, PA (267) 332-2095 Thurs. 7 p.m. Cornhole "Blind Draw." $10 Sat. (12 p.m.) "Drag Brunch (7 p.m.) "Comedy on the Crick" Wed.7 p.m. Drag Bingo & KaraokeWorking Dog Winery 610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown (609) 371-6000 Sat. 1 p.m. Love & Duffy Sun. 2 p.m. Bob & DaveWWFM 89.1 FM HD2 Radio MCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor Jazzon2.org Mon. 7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues" 50th Show Special
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled “Rock On Radio” airing Sunday evenings at 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- As part of the North to Shore Festival presented by Prudential, there will be a Latin takeover. Two of the biggest superstars, Prince Royce and Wisin, will perform their biggest hits at Boardwalk Hall Arena on Friday, June 21, 2024. Showtime is 8:00pm.
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