Here's What They're Saying About:
Little Toby Walker
...John Hammond, blues musician
"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
"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
"Your music is just fantastic and beautiful."
...Sam Phillips, Sun Records.
"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
"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
"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
"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. His new CD shows his growing skills as a songwriter, too."
...John Platt, WFUV
"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 Tolby 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
"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
"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
"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 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
"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
"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