CD Review :
Matt Walsh - Hard Luck - Rawtone Records
Matt Walsh has drawn attention to himself for some years, even before the release of his debut album, “Goin' Back South” in 2004 which displayed eleven original and powerful songs. At home in North Carolina and Wichita KS, Walsh is considered one of the leaders of the new Blues revolution. His style visits the old school Chicago Blues sound of 1950s and Rockabilly, Jump/ Swing Blues, and Rock from those early years are nicely processed as well. His unique guitar style and characteristic voice blow new life in the traditions of the Chicago blues and the Southern rhythm & Blues.
Walsh’s work has been on the scene for some years, but he is now being recognized as one of the best guitarist from a list of new, up and coming Blues musicians, and the man is still improving. His second album, ‘Hard Luck’ ( Raw Tone Records ) is nothing short of awesome and it enjoys a hot accompaniment! On ‘Hard Luck’ Matt features his core band featuring Jesse Major (Dog House bass) and Kyle Couch (drums), and he is routinely supported with remarkable guests like producer and guitarist Bob Margolin (Muddy Waters), Max Drake (Big Bill Morganfield, Skeeter Brandon, Mel Melton) on guitar and mandolin; Chuck Cotton (Bob Margolin, Jimmy Rogers) on drums; and Matt Hill on guitar.
Walsh is great with his acoustic, electric, slide guitars and he never lets them dominate or over-power the songs and their soulful arrangements. Margolin is here on two of the twelve numbers: the up tempo shuffle “Leaving My Baby” and on the title track “Hard Luck”. There is an especially nice peak with Breakin' Up Over You displaying Walsh's acoustic work and Rene Aaron's beautiful harmonica game. “20 More Miles” shows passionate slide work and “Sit and Wonder” throws a perfect nod to T-Bone Walker’s guitar style paired with great song lyrics. The closing number, “Woody's Rag“, is a foot-tapping ragtime instrumental with Jesse Major’s fine slap upright bass grounding the band, doubling as a drummer and Rene Aaron’s harmonica in the lead role. Piedmont Blues have never been better.
Overall, the Chicago Blues, Piedmont Blues and even mandolin floated Delta Blues make all the songs individual and masterful. This young person has already proved a lot in the contemporary Blues culture (even opened Buddy Guy, Bob Margolin, Delbert McClinton and Taj Mahal) and his original songs are of a very high level, certain open doors for the future.
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