Some critics have tagged this the best blues release of 1999; others weren't nearly as kind. It's a beauty-is-in-the-ear-of-the-beholder situation. Blues "purists" who lament the fact that very few artists today are playing down-home, traditional blues will very much enjoy and appreciate this return to the roots. Fans of more contemporary styles might quickly grow tired of the intense, piercing vocals and upper-register slide guitar work. There are ten originals and two covers (
Robert Nighthawk's "Crying Won't Help You" and
Sunnyland Slim's "It's You Baby"). Most of the tunes are sparse, gritty duets with either
James Cotton on harp,
Alvin Youngblood Hart on guitar/vocals, or Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne on piano.
Walker sings and plays dobro on the only solo track "Talk to Me." If you long for a modern-day artist with the delivery of a Robert Johnson or a
Howlin' Wolf and you like your blues pure and raw,
Silvertone Blues is right up your alley. ~ Ann Wickstrom