T-Bone Walker |
As one of the first Electric Blues guitarists, Texas-born T-Bone Walker influenced the course of blues history with his direct, emotional, single-note lead guitar. Along with a few other players (such as jazz pioneer Christian cds and vinyl records" class=tt >Charlie Christian), Walker plugged his guitar in to make it stand out among the other instruments of his band. Sustaining bends, stinging yet elegant licks, fast-picked single notes -- each has their roots in Walker's fluid playing. His singing was powerful and versatile as well, effortlessly delivering a soft ballad as easily as leading some steamy Jump Blues. Among the artists who have cited him as a primary influence are none other than B.B. King, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Albert King. These three musicians -- and basically every rock and blues artist -- exhibit elements of Walker's style, elaborating on his pioneering runs. The song "They Call it Stormy Monday (But Tuesday's Just as Bad)" is a certified classic, while many of Walker's other songs are regularly covered as well.Find T-Bone Walker cds and T-Bone Walker records on Ocium Records. |
