Album Notes

“Former folk singer Walker T Ryan (part of the early ‘60’s folk scene of NY’s Greenwich Village) returns with his second album of the noughties . . . steeped in the Delta Blues of yesteryear. Walker’s folk beginnings still manifest throughout this collection but the intensity, rhythm and passion is drawn more clearly from the Blues of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Son House, and Howlin’ Wolf. Like those originators, where Ryan’s music wins is in the honesty conveyed through his vocals and the ability to “hold” throughout each engaging song (as his press release states accurately, “he’s a storyteller who spins tales and weaves connections”) . . . The fact his own compositions stand-up alongside the songs of Lightnin’ Hopkins and Jimmy Reed, present here, is perfect testament to that statement. Ryan’s interpretation of Willie Dixon’s “Mellow Down Easy” perfectly sums up this whole collection - fresh and original with all the magic of the originals perfectly in-tact.”
Darren Howells
Blues Matters (UK)- Feb/ March Issue