Blues with a Feeling: The Little Walter Story by Tony Glover, Scott Dirks, Ward Gaines, Scott Dirks, Ward Gaines

From the Publisher

Blues with a Feeling explores the life, times, and musical creations of a founder of the Chicago Blues style. Little Walter revolutionized blues harmonica playing, and is generally recognized as the greatest innovator in modern blues. Beginning in the early '50s as a sideman with the legendary Muddy Waters, Walter appeared on many of Muddy's classic recordings through the mid-'60s, even after striking out on his own. Walter had several hits, including the #1 R&B songs, "Juke" and "My Babe," and his distinctive, heavily distorted, amplified harmonica style has been influential on all following generations of players. But his life was fraught with tragedy; he died young at the age of just 37, after years of hard living. For years, Walter's life story-even the exact names of his parents and his date of birth-have been shrouded in mystery. Now a trio of blues researchers have unearthed new information about how Walter lived and created the music that made him famous. Blues With A Feeling is an important addition to the literature on this distinctive musical style, and a must-read for any fan of the blues.

Library Journal

Little Walter (born Marion Walter Jacobs in 1930) was perhaps the finest Chicago-style blues harmonica player of all time. Learning from such greats as Sonny Boy Williamson, he rose to superstar status as sideman to blues giant Muddy Waters and took the lowly harmonica to a place of prominence as an expressive, powerful electrified lead instrument of almost vocal qualities. Collaborating via e-mail, noted blues scholars Glover, Ward Gaines, and Scott Dirks unearthed important information on the artist's shadowy life through interviews and library research. They paint a picture of Walter as a fiery, independent soul who lived fast and loose and died tragically as a result of a street fight at the age of 37. But for his vast musical contributions, all modern blues harmonica players certainly owe a debt to this musical pioneer. A pleasant read intended for a lay audience, this is the only biography available on Walter, and all public and music libraries with blues aficionados should add it to their collections. Bill Walker, Stockton-San Joaquin Cty. P.L., CA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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