Review: Joe Louis Walker 'Eclectic Electric'

Joe Louis Walker

By Mike O’Cull

Blues legend, powerhouse blues guitar virtuoso, four-time Blues Music Award winner and Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Louis Walker hits like a human hurricane on his new release Eclectic Electric. The record is slated to emerge November 12th, 2021 on the Los Angeles-based Cleopatra Records imprint and delivers another big serving of the talented guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter at the top of his form. Co-produced by Walker and Scott Petito, it features a mix of new Joe Louis Walker originals and carefully-chosen covers by some of the classic rock era’s finest songwriters, including Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Don Felder, Keith Richards, Warren Zevon, Waddy Wachtel, and Danny Kortchmar. Wachtel appears on the record, as do Jimmy Vivino, Steve Berlin, Murali Coryell, and Doyle Bramhall II. It’s a top-shelf effort full of style and fire guaranteed to score with all lovers of American music.

Joe Louis Walker is, of course, no stranger to anyone who has been listening to the blues in the past few decades. Considered among the best of his generation, his expressive singing, stinging guitar, and tight songwriting have earned him global recognition, a Grammy nomination, and a large, loyal following. He’s been a pro since his teenage years in the 60s, where he performed with the likes of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jimi Hendrix, Thelonious Monk, and others at famous San Francisco music venue The Matrix in his role as house guitarist. Walker also performed at The Fillmore West with legendary artists like Fred McDowell, Ike Turner, Albert King, Freddy King, and Robert Jr. Lockwood, who schooled him in the ways of the blues, both onstage and off. He’s even played on Grammy-winning records by B.B. King and James Cotton and collaborated with a diverse group of first-rate artists including Branford Marsalis, Tower of Power, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. He’s put out more albums than can be counted, toured the world, and built a well-deserved reputation as one of the most prolific and productive players in the game. JLW is considered a legendary boundary-pushing icon of the blues.

The album opens with Walker’s own “Uptown Girl Blues,” a rollicking shuffle tune with a dance-inducing beat and sweet harmony vocals. Conan O’Brien guitarist Jimmy Vivino guests on the track and sounds incredible mixing in with Walker and his skintight band of Lenny Bradford (bass), Byron Cage (drums), Juma Sultan (percussion), and Phillip Young (keyboards). The track is a great blues moment and the perfect way to start a party.

Walker moves on to an inspired, Los Lobos-like version of Sonny West’s “Wine” that features sax Lobo Steve Berlin on baritone. It’s an absolutely joyous song that’ll quickly move your heart and your shoes while showing a side of JLW we don’t typically encounter. It’s a real treat to hear Joe bust out other styles like this and take his blues outside of the 12-bar box.

Walker’s retooling of “Hotel California” is where this record starts to get really interesting. Yes, that “Hotel California.” Taking this cornerstone of 70s rock on as a cover is a gutsy move for Walker or anyone else, for that matter. “Hotel California” is one of those songs that means so many different things to so many different people that it would be incredibly easy to get it wrong. Thankfully, Joe sidesteps the trap of expectations and puts this FM radio staple down in his own image. He gives it his own inflection and emotion while still retaining the song’s unique character. Guitarist Murali Coryell, son of fusion legend Larry Coryell, adds another personality to the proceedings and does his part to make this one a winner. Need a little fresh air in your record collection? Here it is.

Warren Zevon and Waddy Wachtel’s eternal “Werewolves of London” gets an upbeat funk makeover that takes it to an entirely new planet. It’s an uproarious and unprecedented take on Zevon’s most famous song and Walker blazes all over it on lead vocals and guitar. Wachtel plays guitar on it as well, adding his signature sound to the arrangement. It’s the kind of fun you probably haven’t had in a while and one of the best parts of the whole album.

Walker works the same magic with the Don Henley/Danny Kortchmar gem “All She Wants To Do Is Dance.” He sprinkles his blues all over this 80s radio jam and gives it a new life in another genre. When you hear it, you’ll love it. Joe Louis Walker is cool beyond cool on Eclectic Electric. He plays and sings like a boss but also expands the blues repertoire by working with iconic songs from outside the roots music world. Give Joe Louis Walker a listen and follow where he leads. You’ll be glad you did.

Listen to “Werewolves of London”