His ethnic
background, a blend of Creole, French and Indian, would colour the
unique guitar technique which was to become the signature style of
Louisiana born Phillip Walker. In the early 1950’s Walker, drawn by
the magical sound of the blues, began to explore the local Juke
Joints and dance halls, playing frequently with local bluesmen and
travelling musicians. He got his first big break on a professional
level when he met the legendary zydeco accordionist Clifton Chenier,
who took him on the road. The artistic path he followed was paved
with success. He provided his pupil Robert Cray with the song Don’t
Be Afraid Of The Dark, which would become the title track for Cray’s
million selling album of the same name. In 1999 he got together with
old buddies Lonnie Brooks and Long John Hunter to record the aptly
named album Lone Star Shootout, which reaches both blues and country
charts. Highlights are too many to mention. Currently Mr. Phillip
Walker can look back on an impressive career. He is not afraid of
breaking rules and may consider himself a true innovator. But most
important of all he is still on the road drawing huge blues minded
crowds everywhere, with satisfaction guaranteed.
The DVD is
completed with a biography, a background story about Swingmaster and
a picture gallery with unique historic and recent pictures of
Phillip Walker.
The concert was recorded in Groningen (The
Netherlands), november 1990.
