Reviews

"A real killer with fantastic technique. He just knocks me out."
...John Hammond, blues musician

"An acoustic gem"
London Sunday Times

"Strong originals, finely modulated voice and precise guitar playing - Walker is commited to honest communication"
Downbeat Magazine

"Out of the many teaching artists we have worked with, you are one of the best at striking a nice balance between explaining and playing music"
Mark Burford - Weill Institue at Carnegie Hall

"As a blues guitar player, I am stunned and in awe of Toby Walker's pickin'! Not only does he master diverse blues styles, but plays them with both flash and depth. That's the advanced class -- few players can do both. Add to that his fine songs and singing and friendly presentation, and it's obvious that Toby Walker is one of the most enjoyable artists in today's Blues World."
...Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, blues musician

"6 CD's in only 7 years, as far as I'm concerned - masterpieces"
Eric Dumeige ... Blues & Company from France - July 08

"Toby Walker is that rare performer that takes your
breath away. In my book he's in a class by himself.
Standards and originals are played with flawless blues
guitar technique and sung with gutsy panache. A
showstopper and ringtail roarer."
...David Massengill

"Thank you once again. Your performance Sunday was phenomenal. There aren't many solo performers I'd hire that can wow an entire festival audience.
It's amazing how you can make hundreds of people feel like they're a friend of yours after a single set. I think you've also converted scores of folks who didn't realize they were Blues fans.Thanks
Howard Meirs - Director
Long Island Traditional Music Association

"Walker's guitar work is inspired. His fingerpicking is as intricate as any linen finery... A pinch of Piedmont, a dash of Delta, a solid Chicago undercurrent minus the amplification but not the electricity - A brilliant, remarkable guitarist.
... Brian Beatty, Blues Revue

"Little Toby Walker is the Long Island's musical ambassador to the world, not just as an award-winning bluesman, but as a storyteller and all-around
entertainer."
...John Platt, WFUV

"An impressive, energetic and tasteful player with engaging vocals. I think Walker is quite talented in the field of Blues and Folk Music"
...Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records

"Man, you're hot, just terrific. Now I'm really going to have to work"
Roy Book Binder

"If you played that guitar any better you'd likely burn it up."
...Bob Vorel, Editor, Blues Revue

"The performance you gave us was outstanding in all respects. The magic and excitement of your musicianship was beautifully enhanced by your depth of knowlege and warm audience rapport. We seldom have the treat of hearing perfomers who have learned their material directly from the original source. The tales of your travels in the south add delightful seasoning to the hearty banquet of your program. We consider your concert to have been a total success."
...Sybil Moser, Huntington Folk Music Society

"Your music is just fantastic and beautiful."
...Sam Phillips, Sun Records.

"He has a fine voice, excellent timing and a way with a tall tale. And it doesn't hurt that he can coax amazing sounds from his guitar, and some great music too."
Kay Cordtz of Blues Revue Magazine

"Man, I just love your playing. You scare me"
...Hubert Sumlin, guitarist for the late Howlin' Wolf.

"That was great playing. I enjoyed it so much"
...Charlie Musselwhite

"I had the pleasure to see Little Toby twice during the weekend and all I can
say is twice is not enough. Excellent performer, talented picker, top-notch
songwriter. Somebody raised that boy right."
...Ricky Stevens, The Blues Foundation

"Acoustic picker Little Toby Walker has the kind of chops you'd expect from solo perfomer. On his self-titled release, he demonstrates a masterful technique that draws from blues, ragtime and country.
...Jeff Calvin, Blues Revue

"Toby Walker is the real deal. Few blues musicians have dug in so deep in understanding and interpreting the real blues as Walker has. With uncanny skill and masterful delivery he not only keeps the authentic country blues traditions alive with all the old tunings, syncopations, rhythms, tunings, riffs and songs taught to him by the first-generation players in the Deep South but with his own, fun and powerful compositions. There are only a handful of people in the country-blues today who truly keep this tradition alive, musicologists who simultaneously muster the full range of instrumental mastery- John Hammond, Corey Harris, Guy Davis, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Doug Macleod and Catfish Keith. Count Toby Walker among them! There are many of the original players of the golden-era who never had their recognition and deserved due, but their legacy lives through Walker. It just doesn't get deeper or better than this.
...Frank Matheis, radio producer and music writer
WKZE FM
Blues Access
German NPR

"I was simply “blown-away,” hearing Toby Walker’s performance at Baldwin’s Station last night. Not being much of a music person, and growing up well north of the Mason-Dixon Line, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a gig featuring a blues-jazz musician. Well, I have to say, Toby gave me an experience I’ll never forget. In less than one minute, Toby had my rapt attention for the next 2 hours. He opened my eyes to a genre of music, rich in feeling and delivered with technical perfection.
His personal memoir of meeting with Etta Baker to learn the “soul” of this music was most touching. I heard she lived a life of humble, self-sufficient determination, perhaps a product of the Depression or simply surviving under the hardships of poverty in the south. But when he mentioned Etta shingled her own roof at age 79, after building a ladder to get up there, I was incredulous. His tribute to Etta and seeing how his music conveys the soul of her spirit was the only introduction I needed. Thank you, Toby, for opening my eyes to this wonderful facet of our rich American heritage.
I can’t say enough about how moving an experience this was. People around me drove miles to hear Toby perform. Throughout the night, his selections were followed with robust applause and appreciation from the audience. Unlike me, many were accomplished musicians themselves and well acquainted with Toby’s standing as a consummate blues-jazz performer. The room was filled with folks totally engaged in his performance, as if they were watching Monet paint a masterpiece. And YES, this guy’s the real thing, genuine to the core. It was a pleasure to make his acquaintance."
Bob Sturm.... a new fan

"Little Toby Walker has quietly established himself as one of the greatest bluesmen to emerge from the local scene...a masterful fingerpicking raconteur.
DGdR...Long Island Press

"Little Toby Walker walks the walk
Kevin Amorium...Newsday

"Thanks so much for your presentation to my class on 'The Blues and American Culture'. Your knowledge of the history and meaning of the blues, as much as your singing and guitar-playing, added immensely to the students' understanding of the subject. One student, I believe, spoke for the entire class when she told me she was delighted to have met 'such an amazing and engaging musician.' When I teach the course again, I very much hope you'll be able to return to Cornell to offer another such lecture/demonstration."
Richard Polenberg..... Marie Underhill Noll Professor of History
Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow
Cornell University"

"Toby Walker is the premier blues recreationist on Long Island"
––––– Keith MacKenzie....Long Island Entertainment

"His playing is first rate...He swings, rocks and bops."
...Ike Mckinley, Blues Access Magazine

"Your concert was one of the best we've had at our library. Your pacing, timing and musicianship are superb; your rapport–warm and friendly. The popularity of Little Toby Walker was certainly apparent. We had a full house."
...Laura Goodket, Freeport Memorial Library

"You're as good or better than any other blues man I've heard in the past.""
...The late Bernard Klatzko, formerly of Yazoo and Herwin Records.

"He is so engaging and delightful, not to mention he plays acoustic blues with amazing historic accuracy"
...Liz Smith, The Night Guide

Whether it's at the feet of Delta masters, on stages and clubs or at major festivals, the truth is, Toby Walker is a bluesman's bluesman.
...Mark Gresser, Long Island Blues Society

"Thanks for sending along your tape. It sounded great! I found it very enjoyable and full of good tunes."
...Stefan Grossman, Guitar Workshop

"Your 'Live At The Bottleneck' CD is pure acoustic blues heaven. We've rated it as our Top Five Picks for the season, right next to Eric Bibb and B.B. King."
...London Sunday Times

"Now you play them blues real good. I want you to carry them on for me."
...Eugene Powell, Mississippi blues musician

"Astonishingly fresh, interesting extension of the spirit and sound of acoustic country blues playing that clearly, obviously places Walker at the very top of that traditional genre. The blues will always be with us (and that’s truly a good thing) with someone as great as Little Toby Walker playing, singing, talking and writing them."
...Mark Gould, Sound Waves

"I like your original songs and believe they can stand up to any 'classic' blues piece around."
...Stephanie Ledgin, The Traditional Music Line.

"Little Toby Walker gave on of the most entertaining, fun and educational clinics I've been privy to date. Playing in styles ranging from blues to ragtime, Toby plays with an authentic feel that is truly amazing."
...Peter Ferro, Sam Ash Music Clinic

"Little Toby Walker performs with the strength of a freight train."
Earnest Woodall, The Big Roll

"Man, you sure can play. Would you consider going on the road with me?"
...Turner Foddrell, blues musician

"I'm going to forget about playing my dobro. That's the last time Toby ever opens for me"
...said with a wink - Cliff Eberhardt

"Thank you for your superb performance for our 5th and 6th graders. You grabbed the attention of the students immediately and held it continuously throughout the hour-long performance. The excitement of the music was enhanced by the depth of your knowledge of early blues musicians and a warm sense of humor in sharing their stories with us. It was truly an inspiring performance!"
Eileen Gorman,Pulaski Street School

"Makes me rant and rave like a mad dog under a full moon. See for yourself what all the ruckus is about."
...Sonny Boy London, Blues Revue Magazine.

"Some great blues played right. It don't get any better than that."
...Mark Carpentieri, WBAU and President of MC Records.

"If you're a fan of acoustic blues then you will definitely want to add Toby's CD to your collection."
Ian Brown, Blues4ever.com

"If you love accoustic guitar blues, you'll love Toby's release."
Cecil Davis....Blues Beat,

"If you luxuriate in basic, exposed and resourceful blues, Toby's release will satisfy your musical desires without question."
Tony Engelhart, Blue Mountain Blues

"For fans of acoustic guitar of all kinds (blues, ragtime, folk, country, and rock), Toby's CD is an absolute gem."
Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes

"This guy smokes. Perfect stage presence with just the right amount of humor. A true professional"
...Daniel Boid, Boise Idaho Blues Society

"Just Rolled In” .... shows off not only his masterful blues-folk acoustic guitar finger-picking prowess, but also his playful songwriting ability and the ease with which he connects with the audience."
Michael Ventre of MSNBC

“This CD is one of the best live CDs I have heard for quite a while and really captures the essence of Toby’s live performance --- another one from Toby to file under ‘O’ for outstanding!”
- Ashwyn Smyth - United Kingdom. Digital Blues Radio

"You haven't lived until you've seen Toby Walker in concert. He's not just a master guitarist, but a consummate entertainer. After you hear his new live CD, you may give it a standing ovation, like the ones he gets every time he plays."
- John Platt - WFUV

“Toby Walker is the Keeper of the Flame, Sovereign of those who beguile us with the acoustic blues --- simultaneously witty, original, captivating and musically proficient to a level seldom achieved --- a hard working professional and a startlingly versatile guitarist/singer-songwriter who makes it look easy.”
–Stan Jay, Mandolin Brothers.

“This CD is pure, hot, sublime and out of the park great.”
- Mark Gresser - a.k.a. Doc Blues, Long Island Blues Society

“This album is drenched in power, impeccable execution, energy... lovers of the blues, revel!”
- Marjorie Thompson

“When Toby Walker straps the guitar on, the notes fly at a rate that is dizzying. They dance with speed, grace and precision. The effect is one of steel-like strength. His blues are a flash of muscle and his gentle fingerstyle ballads speak poetry."
-Richard Cuccaro, Acoustic Live

“"A true master... Damn, that's good."
Tampa Blue of Acoustic Music.com

	Reviews
	Winner of the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge Award
	"A real killer with fantastic technique. He just knocks me out." ...John Hammond, blues musician "An acoustic gem" London Sunday Times "Strong originals, finely modulated voice and precise guitar playing - Walker is commited to honest communication" Downbeat Magazine "Out of the many teaching artists we have worked with, you are one of the best at striking a nice balance between explaining and playing music" Mark Burford - Weill Institue at Carnegie Hall "As a blues guitar player, I am stunned and in awe of Toby Walker's pickin'! Not only does he master diverse blues styles, but plays them with both flash and depth. That's the advanced class -- few players can do both. Add to that his fine songs and singing and friendly presentation, and it's obvious that Toby Walker is one of the most enjoyable artists in today's Blues World." ...Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, blues musician "6 CD's in only 7 years, as far as I'm concerned - masterpieces" Eric Dumeige ... Blues & Company from France - July 08 "Toby Walker is that rare performer that takes your breath away. In my book he's in a class by himself. Standards and originals are played with flawless blues guitar technique and sung with gutsy panache. A showstopper and ringtail roarer." ...David Massengill "Thank you once again. Your performance Sunday was phenomenal. There aren't many solo performers I'd hire that can wow an entire festival audience. It's amazing how you can make hundreds of people feel like they're a friend of yours after a single set. I think you've also converted scores of folks who didn't realize they were Blues fans.Thanks Howard Meirs - Director Long Island Traditional Music Association "Walker's guitar work is inspired. His fingerpicking is as intricate as any linen finery... A pinch of Piedmont, a dash of Delta, a solid Chicago undercurrent minus the amplification but not the electricity - A brilliant, remarkable guitarist. ... Brian Beatty, Blues Revue "Little Toby Walker is the Long Island's musical ambassador to the world, not just as an award-winning bluesman, but as a storyteller and all-around entertainer." ...John Platt, WFUV "An impressive, energetic and tasteful player with engaging vocals. I think Walker is quite talented in the field of Blues and Folk Music" ...Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records "Man, you're hot, just terrific. Now I'm really going to have to work" Roy Book Binder "If you played that guitar any better you'd likely burn it up." ...Bob Vorel, Editor, Blues Revue "The performance you gave us was outstanding in all respects. The magic and excitement of your musicianship was beautifully enhanced by your depth of knowlege and warm audience rapport. We seldom have the treat of hearing perfomers who have learned their material directly from the original source. The tales of your travels in the south add delightful seasoning to the hearty banquet of your program. We consider your concert to have been a total success." ...Sybil Moser, Huntington Folk Music Society "Your music is just fantastic and beautiful." ...Sam Phillips, Sun Records. "He has a fine voice, excellent timing and a way with a tall tale. And it doesn't hurt that he can coax amazing sounds from his guitar, and some great music too." Kay Cordtz of Blues Revue Magazine "Man, I just love your playing. You scare me" ...Hubert Sumlin, guitarist for the late Howlin' Wolf. "That was great playing. I enjoyed it so much" ...Charlie Musselwhite "I had the pleasure to see Little Toby twice during the weekend and all I can say is twice is not enough. Excellent performer, talented picker, top-notch songwriter. Somebody raised that boy right." ...Ricky Stevens, The Blues Foundation "Acoustic picker Little Toby Walker has the kind of chops you'd expect from solo perfomer. On his self-titled release, he demonstrates a masterful technique that draws from blues, ragtime and country. ...Jeff Calvin, Blues Revue "Toby Walker is the real deal. Few blues musicians have dug in so deep in understanding and interpreting the real blues as Walker has. With uncanny skill and masterful delivery he not only keeps the authentic country blues traditions alive with all the old tunings, syncopations, rhythms, tunings, riffs and songs taught to him by the first-generation players in the Deep South but with his own, fun and powerful compositions. There are only a handful of people in the country-blues today who truly keep this tradition alive, musicologists who simultaneously muster the full range of instrumental mastery- John Hammond, Corey Harris, Guy Davis, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Doug Macleod and Catfish Keith. Count Toby Walker among them! There are many of the original players of the golden-era who never had their recognition and deserved due, but their legacy lives through Walker. It just doesn't get deeper or better than this. ...Frank Matheis, radio producer and music writer WKZE FM Blues Access German NPR "I was simply “blown-away,” hearing Toby Walker’s performance at Baldwin’s Station last night. Not being much of a music person, and growing up well north of the Mason-Dixon Line, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a gig featuring a blues-jazz musician. Well, I have to say, Toby gave me an experience I’ll never forget. In less than one minute, Toby had my rapt attention for the next 2 hours. He opened my eyes to a genre of music, rich in feeling and delivered with technical perfection. His personal memoir of meeting with Etta Baker to learn the “soul” of this music was most touching. I heard she lived a life of humble, self-sufficient determination, perhaps a product of the Depression or simply surviving under the hardships of poverty in the south. But when he mentioned Etta shingled her own roof at age 79, after building a ladder to get up there, I was incredulous. His tribute to Etta and seeing how his music conveys the soul of her spirit was the only introduction I needed. Thank you, Toby, for opening my eyes to this wonderful facet of our rich American heritage. I can’t say enough about how moving an experience this was. People around me drove miles to hear Toby perform. Throughout the night, his selections were followed with robust applause and appreciation from the audience. Unlike me, many were accomplished musicians themselves and well acquainted with Toby’s standing as a consummate blues-jazz performer. The room was filled with folks totally engaged in his performance, as if they were watching Monet paint a masterpiece. And YES, this guy’s the real thing, genuine to the core. It was a pleasure to make his acquaintance." Bob Sturm.... a new fan "Little Toby Walker has quietly established himself as one of the greatest bluesmen to emerge from the local scene...a masterful fingerpicking raconteur. DGdR...Long Island Press "Little Toby Walker walks the walk Kevin Amorium...Newsday "Thanks so much for your presentation to my class on 'The Blues and American Culture'. Your knowledge of the history and meaning of the blues, as much as your singing and guitar-playing, added immensely to the students' understanding of the subject. One student, I believe, spoke for the entire class when she told me she was delighted to have met 'such an amazing and engaging musician.' When I teach the course again, I very much hope you'll be able to return to Cornell to offer another such lecture/demonstration." Richard Polenberg..... Marie Underhill Noll Professor of History Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow Cornell University" "Toby Walker is the premier blues recreationist on Long Island" ––––– Keith MacKenzie....Long Island Entertainment "His playing is first rate...He swings, rocks and bops." ...Ike Mckinley, Blues Access Magazine "Your concert was one of the best we've had at our library. Your pacing, timing and musicianship are superb; your rapport–warm and friendly. The popularity of Little Toby Walker was certainly apparent. We had a full house." ...Laura Goodket, Freeport Memorial Library "You're as good or better than any other blues man I've heard in the past."" ...The late Bernard Klatzko, formerly of Yazoo and Herwin Records. "He is so engaging and delightful, not to mention he plays acoustic blues with amazing historic accuracy" ...Liz Smith, The Night Guide Whether it's at the feet of Delta masters, on stages and clubs or at major festivals, the truth is, Toby Walker is a bluesman's bluesman. ...Mark Gresser, Long Island Blues Society "Thanks for sending along your tape. It sounded great! I found it very enjoyable and full of good tunes." ...Stefan Grossman, Guitar Workshop "Your 'Live At The Bottleneck' CD is pure acoustic blues heaven. We've rated it as our Top Five Picks for the season, right next to Eric Bibb and B.B. King." ...London Sunday Times "Now you play them blues real good. I want you to carry them on for me." ...Eugene Powell, Mississippi blues musician "Astonishingly fresh, interesting extension of the spirit and sound of acoustic country blues playing that clearly, obviously places Walker at the very top of that traditional genre. The blues will always be with us (and that’s truly a good thing) with someone as great as Little Toby Walker playing, singing, talking and writing them." ...Mark Gould, Sound Waves "I like your original songs and believe they can stand up to any 'classic' blues piece around." ...Stephanie Ledgin, The Traditional Music Line. "Little Toby Walker gave on of the most entertaining, fun and educational clinics I've been privy to date. Playing in styles ranging from blues to ragtime, Toby plays with an authentic feel that is truly amazing." ...Peter Ferro, Sam Ash Music Clinic "Little Toby Walker performs with the strength of a freight train." Earnest Woodall, The Big Roll "Man, you sure can play. Would you consider going on the road with me?" ...Turner Foddrell, blues musician "I'm going to forget about playing my dobro. That's the last time Toby ever opens for me" ...said with a wink - Cliff Eberhardt "Thank you for your superb performance for our 5th and 6th graders. You grabbed the attention of the students immediately and held it continuously throughout the hour-long performance. The excitement of the music was enhanced by the depth of your knowledge of early blues musicians and a warm sense of humor in sharing their stories with us. It was truly an inspiring performance!" Eileen Gorman,Pulaski Street School "Makes me rant and rave like a mad dog under a full moon. See for yourself what all the ruckus is about." ...Sonny Boy London, Blues Revue Magazine. "Some great blues played right. It don't get any better than that." ...Mark Carpentieri, WBAU and President of MC Records. "If you're a fan of acoustic blues then you will definitely want to add Toby's CD to your collection." Ian Brown, Blues4ever.com "If you love accoustic guitar blues, you'll love Toby's release." Cecil Davis....Blues Beat, "If you luxuriate in basic, exposed and resourceful blues, Toby's release will satisfy your musical desires without question." Tony Engelhart, Blue Mountain Blues "For fans of acoustic guitar of all kinds (blues, ragtime, folk, country, and rock), Toby's CD is an absolute gem." Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes "This guy smokes. Perfect stage presence with just the right amount of humor. A true professional" ...Daniel Boid, Boise Idaho Blues Society "Just Rolled In” .... shows off not only his masterful blues-folk acoustic guitar finger-picking prowess, but also his playful songwriting ability and the ease with which he connects with the audience." Michael Ventre of MSNBC “This CD is one of the best live CDs I have heard for quite a while and really captures the essence of Toby’s live performance --- another one from Toby to file under ‘O’ for outstanding!” - Ashwyn Smyth - United Kingdom. Digital Blues Radio "You haven't lived until you've seen Toby Walker in concert. He's not just a master guitarist, but a consummate entertainer. After you hear his new live CD, you may give it a standing ovation, like the ones he gets every time he plays." - John Platt - WFUV “Toby Walker is the Keeper of the Flame, Sovereign of those who beguile us with the acoustic blues --- simultaneously witty, original, captivating and musically proficient to a level seldom achieved --- a hard working professional and a startlingly versatile guitarist/singer-songwriter who makes it look easy.” –Stan Jay, Mandolin Brothers. “This CD is pure, hot, sublime and out of the park great.” - Mark Gresser - a.k.a. Doc Blues, Long Island Blues Society “This album is drenched in power, impeccable execution, energy... lovers of the blues, revel!” - Marjorie Thompson “When Toby Walker straps the guitar on, the notes fly at a rate that is dizzying. They dance with speed, grace and precision. The effect is one of steel-like strength. His blues are a flash of muscle and his gentle fingerstyle ballads speak poetry." -Richard Cuccaro, Acoustic Live “"A true master... Damn, that's good." Tampa Blue of Acoustic Music.com