POPS WALKER: Cuttin' In Line at the Karmic Buffet

Pops Walker

Cuttin' In Line at the Karmic Buffet

© 2000 Richard S. Walker (783707274126)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

An acoustic blues artist, an extraordinary songwriter and guitarist with a fresh sound.

tracks

1 Sweet Well Water
2 Wild Blues Yonder
3 Bhodie and Me
4 Karmic Buffet
5 Wondrous Things
6 I Know You
7 River of Mind
8 Josephine and Jo Jo
9 I Can Fly
10 Evangelist Blues
11 Lucas T.
12 Love Can Be So Cruel
13 Call On Me

notes

Pops Walker - Who is this guy?

There are many independent artists out there today, just waiting to be heard. With the loss of total control by the music industry tycoons, we've had the good fortune to be exposed to a multitude of independent recording artists, songwriters and performers. Pops Walker is one of these heretofore (but probably not much longer) "unknown performers". His music is made of the freshest sounds and the most honest songs I've heard in years. And trust me when I say that I'm not the first to say this.

I've found over the years that some music is immediately comfortable, and instantly familiar, like an old friend. On the other hand, some music has to grow on you - much like an acquired taste. After listening to Walker's latest CD, "Cuttin' in Line at the Karmic Buffet" it dawned upon me that this CD fits nicely into both of those categories. The songs on this CD are as comfortable to the ear as an old friend's kind words. But even with that familiarity, for the discerning listener, there are phrases wrought with revelation. And upon subsequent listening, the CD just gets better.

Opening with a seriously mean bottleneck slide on one of his several acoustic guitars, and ending in a dreamy tribute to an old mentor, "Cuttin' in Line at the Karmic Buffet" is a treat to the ear of any acoustic guitar afficionado. Songwriters (the few that know of him) simply love his stuff.

If you like Stephen Stills, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Robert Johnson, John Prine, or any of the mix that might fall between these well-known folks, you'll like Walker. He's hard to categorize, but easy to identify with. I suppose acoustic blues is probably the best description of his stuff (indeed one his favorite homegrown tunes is called 'Coustic Blues). But one could also categorize it as folk, folk-rock, acoustic-rock, country-blues, country-jazz-blues, eclectic acoustic, or as Walker once flippantly described it, "southern-fried-zen-mojo-soul. But it's probably best not to categorize it at all. No, it's best just to listen to it, and color it, as you will. But no matter how you color it, I'll buy you something nice if you don't like it.

Glenville Kedie, Honolulu Hawaii, November 2000

reviews

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  • Just Great Music
    author: Matt

    Not much else to say that hasn't been said above. Just great music. Of course there are some tracks I don't like as much as others, but I bet those aren't all the same ones others don't like, one sign of a good CD (of course, there are a few with no tracks anyone doesn't like, but you have to be Led Zeppelin to write albums like that). Slide guitar is awesome, and I love how he uses the guitar and his voice as true rhythm instruments as well as melodic ones. Definitely worth every penny!

  • Very enjoyable...
    author: Bart

    I really like the percussive type of guitar playing on this CD. The lyrics are well thought out and entertaining. I personally like this CD better than his newer one, but both are worthy purchases.

  • Pops is awesome!
    author: Cheryl from the River House Concerts

    Pops is awesome. Don't even hesitate. Order his CD right away! It's one of those CDs that you'll play over and over and over........ Every single song on Cuttin' in Line at the Karmic Buffet is great. As a matter of fact, you may as well order more than one, because as soon as you loan it to friends, they're going to want a copy.

  • Pops a great friend a great artist
    author: Ed Mccurdy Songwriter Friend

    Well first of all I have had the pleasure of workin with ole Rick in the Shenadoah Valley of Virginia.Which I know for a fact is one of the inspirations for his music.I have never met such a great story teller.If you have never seen Pops perform or met him,you will be in for a treat indeed.He had inspired a lot of my new writings and given me a whole new outlook on what music should be.Thanks Rick and Bobbie,my friends my family hope to work with you gain. Ed mccurdy Daytona Florida (Keyboardist)

  • AWESOME
    author: Rech

    I first heard this CD at a friend's house. While I prefer to listen to Rock & Roll, I can appreciate all good music. This is definitely GOOD MUSIC. I ordered a copy right away. You won't regret it if you do so, too. When's the next CD coming out?

  • Tells it like it is.
    author: Lenny Finkelstein

    There are Blues writers/performers and there are Blues writers/performers...Pops Walker defines what it's all about. If you can't afford to buy this CD, at least try to steal it.

  • No Bright Lights, Big City here, just really good music played from the heart.
    author: Rob Walker

    This CD fits into a beautifully ingenious niche. Pop it in, roll down the windows (or drop the top if you can) and shoot out to your favorite fish camp or watering hole for a day of lazy thoughts, cool breezes and even colder beverages. Or, turn down the lights, have a few close friends over and experience the serene enjoyment of each other’s company with Pops’ melodies doing the talking for you. Either way, this CD fits the bill. Now, if he’ll only come off the Shenandoah long enough to release his next CD, we’ll all be much, much happier.

  • What Rick Walker does with a guitar should be illegal in several states
    author: Ragnar Danneskjold

    What Rick Walker does with a guitar should be illegal in several states, and what he does with his voice most likely already is. It's a powerful instrument - in using it one feels as well as hears the man sing, not just on an emotional level but on a tactile level as well. I've seen him play more times than I can count, both alone on his porch and before crowds of appreciative friends and strangers, and listening to this CD I can see in my mind's eye Mr. Walker simply disappearing into his songs; eyes closed, seated on a plain wooden stool, pulling the music from a place deep within himself, shaping it with his expressions and body language just as his fingers roughly but carefully shape each note that he wrestles, persuades, cajoles, tickles, teases and lifts out from his guitar. Every song on this CD has a story, and every story is true; the emotions are real, born from actual events in his own live and the lives of those he loves. But unlike some, who seek the easy self-indulgent road to sing only of the easy pathos and tragic irony of their own sad lives, Rick has learned that in life, there ain't no way 'round but through - that life is short, and we're a long time dead - and that something out there beyond out ken has a singularly fantastic sense of humor. It is from this perspective that he's able to not just find but clearly communicate a sense of joy and whimsy in his music without ever once sounding trite. From soft ballads dedicated in love to his wife through hard-driving acoustic folk-rock, from sweet ragged blues through moss-draped cajun swamp juju, Rick Walker - along with his gravel-garbed baritone horn of a voice and his well-worn guitar - delivers a true Buffet, Karmic or otherwise.

  • This guy is the greatest!
    author: Beau Walker

    Pops Walker is redifining music by demonstrating it is possible to reflect ones heart and soul in a medium which stirs emotion, and awakens the inner feelings of others.

  • Feast your soul on this special treat!
    author: Kerry S. Humphrey

    As the tasteful juxtaposition of the artist's Army dog tags with a smorgasbord of spiritual necklaces on the cover of this CD promises, the unique music within is a heartfelt blend of all-American blues and mystical whimsy.

  • Blues that reach out and grab your soul
    author: Carey Colvin

    I've had the pleasure of performing live with Pops, and this CD captures the essence of his music, which provides a vision of the heart and soul behind a man who has lived and loved the blues. His deft musical touch grabs you and makes you want to belly up to the table for seconds and thirds. This buffet isn't just ear candy - it's the meat that stays on your bones! Definitely a must-have in my book.

  • Contains the soulful sounds of all great blues music.
    author: Terry Spearman

    The music on this CD is nothing short of brilliant. The slide portion of the music stands out like all great blues. Stevie Ray Vaughn would have been proud to call this one of his own creations. The mix of different sounds puts you into a wonderful stage of relaxation. Excellent CD!!!

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