Biography of T-Bone Walker

One of the great guitarists, vocalists, and composers of all time, Walker was the inventor of the Texas shuffle and a major influence on guitarists since the '40s. His recordings for Black & White (1945-1947), including his best-known hit, "Call It Stormy Monday," were purchased by Capitol Records, who also won his Imperial recordings. These recordings were combined in a boxed set of six LPs/CDs by Mosaic Records (MD6-130), giving the best possible overview of Walker's distinguished career. The Imperial recordings (1950-1954) are available in a double CD on EMI. Also worth seeking is T-Bone Blues (1955-1957) on Atlantic. Walker's album projects in Europe (where he became a major star) included Feeling the Blues (Black & Blue), among his finest (available in the US on Delmark). Also worth finding is Stormy Monday Blues (Bluesway #6008), although Walker's later work does not generally compare with his magnificent work from the '40s and '50s. ~ Bob Porter