Music
Press
..."one of the finest Canadian Blues releases of recent years."
(rated at #40 in the top 100) - Andy Grigg
..."he's a crack songwriter, and he has, through this project, gelled a cast of characters around a blues album like few before it."
"Musically, this is a muscular entry into the blues stadium and an outstanding example of just how good these players can be. Credit is due to Walker for pulling it all together."
-By Eric Thom - Nic Jones
...to work on his solo debut. That he would do this was obviously only a matter of time given the songwriting talent and powerful effective vocals on display here.
altogether a fine debut album."
- By John Valentyne - Toronto Blues Society
Discography
Matt Walker
"Low Down"
Photos
Bio
Matt Walker
www.matthewwalker.ca
Drumming professionally since the early 80s, Matt has been a core member in many bands and as a sideman for numerous artists. He got his start playing drums in a re-formation of Alberta recording artists One Horse Blue called Prisoner who recognized the musical potential of an 18year old. Walker continued to cut his teeth, working with country legend Brian Fustukian and the Battle River Band, blues veterans Cold Feet, and acclaimed singer/songwriter Carmen Lindsay (Rita McNeil “Moth to a Flame”).
The 90s found Matt playing the blues in Toronto as a founding member of Jake and The Blue Midnights; and performing with others like the Tyler Yareema Band, Mark ‘Bird’ Stafford, Howard Willet and the Shifters, Doctor Nick and the Rollercoasters, Little Bobby and The Jump Starts, and The David Rotundo Band, to name just a few.
Back in Alberta since 2000, Matt has worked with the Graham Guest Band, Donald Ray Johnson, Billy Joe Green, Russell Jackson, Doug Jenson and the Feelkings, the Rault Brothers Band, Studebaker John, Shelley Jones, and Rick Holmstrom. The respect Matt has garnered across the country for his solid drumming and solid work ethic is evident by the roster of talent on his debut album Low Down.
When it came to recording his own CD, Matt wanted to create an exceptional recording that would incorporate the raw feel and spontaneity of 1950’s Chicago blues. Matt approached his old pals from his club days in Toronto and his Edmonton buddies – some of the who’s who of Canadian blues performers. The album, first created in Matt’s mind and inspired by his passion for the blues, began to take on a life of its own. Matt harnessed the intense, deep energy that makes the blues a true art form of the soul, and expressed that landscape of emotion song after song. The result – Low Down - an exceptional album, a mixture of Blues and Rock filled with passion, and with outstanding arrangements.
Low Down covers a lot of ground musically. Low Down leaves you wanting more, and is a testament to the virtuosity of everyone involved in the project. Low Down a tasteful blend of strong, well-written original songs, and songs made famous by blues heroes like Elmore James, and Junior Wells. This album is rounded out by a natural vocal sensibility that moves and propels the songs on this record into new territory.
Matt says, “I wanted to make a record that moved me. I wanted to keep it real, keep it honest, and it had to be fun, not contrived in any way, something true.”
I think he got his wish.
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