Bonepickers

Strollin’
Self-Produced

Bonepickers CD coverWhen it comes down to the greatest innovators of the electric guitar, T-Bone Walker stands high amongst the most influential guitar players of all time. Breaking out of Texas and becoming one of the crafters of the West Coast jump sound out of Los Angeles, his impact is felt within just about every modern player of our times, from Chuck Berry to Jimi Hendrix to BB King, the methods of Walker touched them all.

In recognition of Walker’s influence a group of musicians in Portland, Oregon gathered together to pay tribute with a show to focus on his music. The T-Bone Walker Tribute concert was highly successful and spawned a handful of encore performances, all of them sold-out events. Fans began requesting that a recording of this beloved music be released performed by this extraordinary group of musicians.

The band is made up of stellar artists all. Guitarists Franck Goldwasser (The Mannish Boys), Chris Carlson (Duffy Bishop Band), Vyasa Dodson (The Insomniacs, Curtis Salgado Band) and Jim Wallace showcase the sound of Walker to perfection. With horn players Chris Mercer (John Mayall, Paul deLay, too many more to name), Brad Ulrich and Joe McCarthy adding that punch that makes the music jump, keyboardist Steve Kerin, and the rhythm section of John Mazzocco (John Lee Hooker, Paul deLay, Curtis Salgado.) and drummer Reinhardt Melz, the music comes alive capturing the exact mood that made Walker so popular.This is music done from the heart of each of these incredible artists and it comes across just so. It is a tribute to a musician that changed modern music filled with feeling and energy. But they could not simply call themselves The T-Bone Walker Tribute Band, that doesn’t really put any personalization to the project. Thus the new name Bonepickers, as in T-Bone (I’m sure that did not have to be pointed out).

The album, Strollin’, is packed full of some of the best known material T-Bone Walker is recognized for. Not all inclusive mind you, Walker’s catalog is large enough that there can easily be multiple recordings offered by the Bonepickers for some time to come. Each of the four guitarists take on favorite Walker tracks stretching themselves out on captivating guitar solos combined with sharp vocalization. This is an album that is masterfully done on each and every number, so choose for yourself which song is to be called a highlight recording. But many of those recognizable numbers are here: “Party Girl,” “Evening,” “Strollin’ (With Bones),” “Alimony Blues” and “2 Bones (And A Pick)” are just a handful. I have to say that I am really happy that they did not select the obvious pieces that have been done by so many artists over and over again, like “Stormy Monday,” “T-Bone Shuffle” or “Mean Old World.” Don’t get me wrong, I love those just as much. But Walker had a large repertoire of songs and all of them equally as great. And I’m hoping on the next release that they look to include some like “Street Walkin’ Woman,” “Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong” and “The Hustle.” Walker was so prolific, you just have to love it all.

If anybody is unfamiliar with the work of T-Bone Walker (I know, how can that be possible?), this is a great place to introduce yourself to his mastery. It’ll get you wanting to hear more. Not only T-Bone Walker, but the Bonepickers, too. Heavily anticipating to see what will come next from this outstanding cast of musicians.

Total Time: 36:07

Tell Me The Reason / Blue Mood / Party Girl / Evening / Strollin’ / I Get So Weary / Inspiration Blues / Life Is Too Short / Alimony Blues / Get These Blues Off Me / 2 Bones