"If he doesn't get them with his phenomenal guitar playing or catchy songs, he gets them with his wonderful stories. True entertainers have an engaging spirit that puts a smile on your face. Arlo Guthrie has it, David Bromberg has it, and so does Toby"
- John Platt ... Host of Sunday Morning Breakfast at WFUV
- John Platt ... Host of Sunday Morning Breakfast at WFUV
Photo by Michael Day
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"Flat out... you have to hear this great musician. I'm blown away"
- Jorma Kaukonen Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and founder of the Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp. |
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"Not only can Toby play all styles of the blues, but he's a remarkable story-teller as well. And you'll be surprised by what else he'll pull out of his hat to please his audiences. He may come out with an arrangement of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' or 'Ain't Misbehavin' followed by an Irish fiddle tune medley (on guitar), a couple of rousing singalongs and top it all off with his arrangement of the Allman Brothers tune 'Little Martha,' Whipping Post' or even a traditional bluegrass tune." He takes the audience on one heck of a ride and leaves them smiling all the way home!!"
John Sheridan - The London Sunday Times.
John Sheridan - The London Sunday Times.
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"Your performance 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!" Howard Meirs - Director - Long Island Traditional Music Association |
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"Thank you for another great concert. I knew I was about to hear a great roots guitarist with terrific songs, stories and anecdotes, but I was really inspired by the way you captured the audience!"
- Miriam McCloud - Empty Nest House Concerts.
- Miriam McCloud - Empty Nest House Concerts.
Photo by Larry Sribnick
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"Toby Walker is a troubadour and whenever he is in town you are guaranteed a fine night of consummate playing, amusing storytelling and mastery of all the blues styles. He is a frequent visitor to the UK and every blues fan should make sure they catch him next time he comes over – keep an eye on his website for dates.
John Mitchell!" Reviewer for the Red Lion, Surrey, England |
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"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 guitar technique and sung with gutsy panache. A showstopper and ringtail roarer."
...David Massengill |
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"Now you play them blues real good. I want you to carry them on for me."
...Eugene Powell, Mississippi blues musician |
"At Brook’s, Walker was on scintillating form, threading his way through the evening with anecdotes and stories about learning and playing with some of the greats. His fretwork can be near-jaw-dropping at times, with fabulous flourishes with a seemingly effortless flair– something that truly highlights his skill and belies the intricacy of his playing. Walker dropped some slide into the mix and has vocals that more than match the picking."
Iain Patience, Blues Matters, London.
Iain Patience, Blues Matters, London.
Learn Guitar From Toby Walker On Homespun Music Instruction!
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"Toby Walker is a fingerstyle guitar virtuoso, a wizard, especially adept at blues, rags and hot country picking. He has a solid command of all aspects of blues fingerpicking, and he knows how to teach it as well."
Happy Traum, owner of Homespun Music Instruction. 
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"As a blues guitar player, I am stunned and in awe of Toby Walker's pickin'! 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."
- Bob Margolin - Muddy Waters Band. |
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"Man, I just love your playing. You scare me"
Hubert Sumlin, guitarist for the late Howlin' Wolf. |
"A real killer with fantastic technique.
He just knocks me out."
- John Hammond
He just knocks me out."
- John Hammond
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Toby Walker - Groovin In New Fairfield - 1/27/18
“Blues raconteur Toby Walker is the real deal. Bringing with him a unique blend of styles encompassing traditional finger picking and slide, blues, ragtime, country, bluegrass, rock and roll, and jazz with outrageous story-telling, Toby serves up an evening of what I would call complete entertainment. Whether telling tales of his time on the road (and this man has gotten around), giving a historical perspective of a particular tune he’s about to play, paying homage to his own musical heroes or just letting loose with some spur-of-the-moment humor, there is no time spent idle during a Toby Walker show. And that, I would have to say, does certainly embellish what it is you actually came to hear…..some flat out awesome guitar technique. So good is this man’s synthesis of styles that he has been an instructor at Jorma Kaukonen’s (that’s Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane) Fur Peace Guitar Camp for 7 years to which Jorma has stated, “Flat out…you’ve got to hear this great musician…I’m blown away!”
Jeff Main
“Blues raconteur Toby Walker is the real deal. Bringing with him a unique blend of styles encompassing traditional finger picking and slide, blues, ragtime, country, bluegrass, rock and roll, and jazz with outrageous story-telling, Toby serves up an evening of what I would call complete entertainment. Whether telling tales of his time on the road (and this man has gotten around), giving a historical perspective of a particular tune he’s about to play, paying homage to his own musical heroes or just letting loose with some spur-of-the-moment humor, there is no time spent idle during a Toby Walker show. And that, I would have to say, does certainly embellish what it is you actually came to hear…..some flat out awesome guitar technique. So good is this man’s synthesis of styles that he has been an instructor at Jorma Kaukonen’s (that’s Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane) Fur Peace Guitar Camp for 7 years to which Jorma has stated, “Flat out…you’ve got to hear this great musician…I’m blown away!”
Jeff Main