What You See Is What You Get... The Reviews
"Toby is deeply immersed in old-time blues and ragtime and he’s got it all: impeccable fingerpicking chops, a soulful voice and a good sense of how to entertain. He's got it all."
Happy Traum - founder of Homespun Tapes
"WYSIWYG is little short of a tour de force of solo blues picking and skillful, sweet guitar work.
Iain Patience - French Blues Magazine Autrement Blues.
"The quality of Walker's musicianship is astounding."
Marty Gunther - Blues Blast Magazine
"We’ve always been gobsmacked by the sheer physical exploits of Toby Walker on guitar. For a listener who’s into the blues, it can’t get much better. This CD should be in the collection of anyone who loves the genre (or anyone who just loves good music).
Richard Cuccaro - Acoustic Live
His new CD "What You See Is What You Get" is his finest work yet. Toby nails it."
Joltin Joe, the Mad Scientist-Radio Nowhere, WMSC 90.3FM
"Toby Walker gives his listeners more than a guitar lesson. With “What You See,” he continues the musical history lesson that only great masters like him can provide us."
***** (out of five) ----MARK T. GOULD - Sound Waves Magazine
"Along with his exceptional talent and passion Toby Walker is the perfect embodiment of a bluesman. His new album 'What You See Is What You Get' is not just one ordinary slice..... besides all his original work, Toby puts in his own interpretations into the covers. With his passion for the Delta Blues he blows us away..! The release ‘What You See Is What You Get’ sounds so deep…"
Philip Verhaege, Keys and Chords.
"If you enjoy Guitar Picking at its very best, you will thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly, love "What You See Is What You Get". It is by far one of the best treasures in it's style, released for 2013. As with his previous release, "Shake Shake Mama", I also enthusiastically give "What You See Is What You Get" my highest rating of 5*****. "
John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
"The combination of Toby’s great vocals and sublime finger-picking artistry, now expertly complemented by the addition of some top class slide guitar work, deliver a hugely enjoyable album, which is highly recommended."
Lionel Ross, Blues in the Northwest
Happy Traum - founder of Homespun Tapes
"WYSIWYG is little short of a tour de force of solo blues picking and skillful, sweet guitar work.
Iain Patience - French Blues Magazine Autrement Blues.
"The quality of Walker's musicianship is astounding."
Marty Gunther - Blues Blast Magazine
"We’ve always been gobsmacked by the sheer physical exploits of Toby Walker on guitar. For a listener who’s into the blues, it can’t get much better. This CD should be in the collection of anyone who loves the genre (or anyone who just loves good music).
Richard Cuccaro - Acoustic Live
His new CD "What You See Is What You Get" is his finest work yet. Toby nails it."
Joltin Joe, the Mad Scientist-Radio Nowhere, WMSC 90.3FM
"Toby Walker gives his listeners more than a guitar lesson. With “What You See,” he continues the musical history lesson that only great masters like him can provide us."
***** (out of five) ----MARK T. GOULD - Sound Waves Magazine
"Along with his exceptional talent and passion Toby Walker is the perfect embodiment of a bluesman. His new album 'What You See Is What You Get' is not just one ordinary slice..... besides all his original work, Toby puts in his own interpretations into the covers. With his passion for the Delta Blues he blows us away..! The release ‘What You See Is What You Get’ sounds so deep…"
Philip Verhaege, Keys and Chords.
"If you enjoy Guitar Picking at its very best, you will thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly, love "What You See Is What You Get". It is by far one of the best treasures in it's style, released for 2013. As with his previous release, "Shake Shake Mama", I also enthusiastically give "What You See Is What You Get" my highest rating of 5*****. "
John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
"The combination of Toby’s great vocals and sublime finger-picking artistry, now expertly complemented by the addition of some top class slide guitar work, deliver a hugely enjoyable album, which is highly recommended."
Lionel Ross, Blues in the Northwest
"It’s exciting and deeply satisfying to hear a solo, unadorned singer/guitarist plying his trade with the ease and panache of Toby Walker. His years of woodshedding and playing in all kinds of venues has paid off and he now sounds like the grizzled bluesmen he has long admired. Toby is deeply immersed in old-time blues and ragtime and he’s got it all: impeccable fingerpicking chops, a soulful voice and a good sense of how to entertain. On “What You See is What You Get” he gives us original songs and instrumentals and creative reworking of the music of some of the masters of the genre, played with style and verve. You can’t beat that."
Happy Traum
Happy Traum
‘What You See Is What You Get’ is the latest album from US East Coast bluesman, Toby Walker. Sixteen tracks, recorded without overdubs or second-takes, it is little short of a tour de force of solo blues picking and skillful, sweet guitar work.
Featuring only Walker on a range of different guitars, the material ranges from old blues standards like ‘Baby, Please Don’t Go’, ‘Statesboro Blues’ and ‘Good Morning Little Schoolgirl’ to new, self-penned pieces, including the jaw-dropping virtuoso brilliance of ‘Swing Bean’ and a great Blind Blake inspired instrumental, ‘Putting On The Blakes’
Walker seldom disappoints and in recent years his output has only got better and better. His gutsy vocals hold-up well on this CD, which also includes a slick version of the old Mississippi John Hurt standard, ‘Got The Blues, Can’t Be Satisfied’. His playing encompasses a wide variety of styles from blues, ragtime, country and rock to jazz and even bluegrass. His versatility is widely admired internationally with Hot Tuna frontman and former Jefferson Airplane guitarist, Jorma Kaukonen, a noted fan.
I’ve been listening to Walker now for about ten years or so and WYSIWYG is easily his best offering to date. It’s accomplished, well produced and engineered and the material is top quality. The man himself is a guest at this year’s Terri’ Thouars Blues Festival in Thouars (79) in April: a rare chance for fans to catch a real master of US acoustic blues guitar in action.
Iain Patience - French Blues Magazine - 'Autrement Blues'
Featuring only Walker on a range of different guitars, the material ranges from old blues standards like ‘Baby, Please Don’t Go’, ‘Statesboro Blues’ and ‘Good Morning Little Schoolgirl’ to new, self-penned pieces, including the jaw-dropping virtuoso brilliance of ‘Swing Bean’ and a great Blind Blake inspired instrumental, ‘Putting On The Blakes’
Walker seldom disappoints and in recent years his output has only got better and better. His gutsy vocals hold-up well on this CD, which also includes a slick version of the old Mississippi John Hurt standard, ‘Got The Blues, Can’t Be Satisfied’. His playing encompasses a wide variety of styles from blues, ragtime, country and rock to jazz and even bluegrass. His versatility is widely admired internationally with Hot Tuna frontman and former Jefferson Airplane guitarist, Jorma Kaukonen, a noted fan.
I’ve been listening to Walker now for about ten years or so and WYSIWYG is easily his best offering to date. It’s accomplished, well produced and engineered and the material is top quality. The man himself is a guest at this year’s Terri’ Thouars Blues Festival in Thouars (79) in April: a rare chance for fans to catch a real master of US acoustic blues guitar in action.
Iain Patience - French Blues Magazine - 'Autrement Blues'
There are few musicians who embody the sound of the authentic blues masters like Toby Walker can. His new CD "What You See Is What You Get" is his finest work yet. Filled with classics and topped with some fine originals, Toby nails it man! Close your eyes and listen real good. You'll be transported to another time and place where there ain't nothin' but the blues!
Joltin Joe, the Mad Scientist-Radio Nowhere, WMSC 90.3FM
Joltin Joe, the Mad Scientist-Radio Nowhere, WMSC 90.3FM
These days, when I think of the blues, and those who both protect and play the blues, I naturally think of Toby Walker.
Now, don’t go thinking that Toby Walker has the blues. Judging by his wonderful sense of humor and his always dynamic country blues picking, it seems he’s far from that.
What Walker does do is carry along the blues traditions of the masters, protecting, preserving and yet arguably improving on a sound that, if not so carefully protected, is going to go the way of the buffalo and black rhino. That is, to extinction.
On this new release, Walker continues mining the tradition, but, as he says in the liner notes, listeners on in for some interesting surprises. Forgoing the steel guitar that he’s used on prior recordings, Walker instead opts for electric slide guitar on this project.
Frankly, though, Walker could probably string up a tin cup and make it talk, weep and sing the blues. It just doesn’t matter what he plays, these gems sound as fresh today as they did, in terms of the cover songs, when they were first recorded, and in terms of his originals, as they will in 50 or a hundred years.
As usual, Walker’s song selection is eclectic and interesting as he is. On this record, he covers Willie Johnson’s “God Moves On the Water,” Muddy Waters’ “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl,” Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues,” Furry Lewis’ “Roaches and Bedbugs,” Sonny Terry’s “Custard Pie,” and Mississippi John Hurt’s “Got The Blues, Can’t Be Satisfied.” He makes each one sound as original as his own compositions therein, like “Swing Bean,” “Highway,” and “Putting on the Blakes,” the last his tribute to legendary ragtime guitarist Blind Blake.
While he plays an older genre of music, Walker also embraces a modern approach, linking listeners to a hidden page on his web site, which contains three additional songs, videos of him recordings some of the songs on the record, pictures and stories of the myriad guitars he uses, and even a guitar lesson.
Toby Walker gives his listeners more than a guitar lesson, though. With “What You See,” he continues the musical history lesson that only great masters like him can provide us.
***** (out of five) ----MARK T. GOULD - Sound Waves Magazin
Now, don’t go thinking that Toby Walker has the blues. Judging by his wonderful sense of humor and his always dynamic country blues picking, it seems he’s far from that.
What Walker does do is carry along the blues traditions of the masters, protecting, preserving and yet arguably improving on a sound that, if not so carefully protected, is going to go the way of the buffalo and black rhino. That is, to extinction.
On this new release, Walker continues mining the tradition, but, as he says in the liner notes, listeners on in for some interesting surprises. Forgoing the steel guitar that he’s used on prior recordings, Walker instead opts for electric slide guitar on this project.
Frankly, though, Walker could probably string up a tin cup and make it talk, weep and sing the blues. It just doesn’t matter what he plays, these gems sound as fresh today as they did, in terms of the cover songs, when they were first recorded, and in terms of his originals, as they will in 50 or a hundred years.
As usual, Walker’s song selection is eclectic and interesting as he is. On this record, he covers Willie Johnson’s “God Moves On the Water,” Muddy Waters’ “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl,” Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues,” Furry Lewis’ “Roaches and Bedbugs,” Sonny Terry’s “Custard Pie,” and Mississippi John Hurt’s “Got The Blues, Can’t Be Satisfied.” He makes each one sound as original as his own compositions therein, like “Swing Bean,” “Highway,” and “Putting on the Blakes,” the last his tribute to legendary ragtime guitarist Blind Blake.
While he plays an older genre of music, Walker also embraces a modern approach, linking listeners to a hidden page on his web site, which contains three additional songs, videos of him recordings some of the songs on the record, pictures and stories of the myriad guitars he uses, and even a guitar lesson.
Toby Walker gives his listeners more than a guitar lesson, though. With “What You See,” he continues the musical history lesson that only great masters like him can provide us.
***** (out of five) ----MARK T. GOULD - Sound Waves Magazin
From the Dutch website Keys and Chords.
For many of us does the name Toby Walker might not ring a bell? Yet Walker is an award -winning finger picking Piedmont blues musician. Despite his natural affinity for the blues, Toby is not from the Mississippi Delta. He was in fact born in the suburbs of Long Island. Walker is a professional, talented and unique performer, guitar virtuoso, instructor, storyteller songwriter, vocalist, entertainer and historian. This musical centipede is also specialized in different blues styles. His passion for blues, folk and traditional American music drives him to the Mississippi Delta. Eugene Powell, James " Son " Thomas, Etta Baker and RL Burnside were Toby's immediate teachers.
Along with his exceptional talent and passion Toby Walker is the perfect embodiment of a bluesman. His new album ' What You See Is What You Get' is not just one ordinary slice. No, it contains so much more. Including, for the same price the enthusiast receives 4 videos, three additional downloadable tracks, interviews, a biography, a lot of photo material and a unique description of his vintage instruments. For the novice fingerpicking guitarists among us there is even a video with some instructive guitar lessons. A lot of value for money. But let us restrict ourselves to the music on the disc.
The CD contains 16 delicious finger picking songs and for the first time Walker decided to replace his steel guitar with an electric one. The release opens with somewhat surprising “Baby Please Do not Go.” Muddy Waters classic is so timeless that Delta inspired the song arrangements transform into introverts sounds. With 'She's Into Something ' original Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland, Walker lays his passion and soul bare. The storytelling song ' Everything I Want ' strongly surfaced Toby’s voice . The exciting 'Glory, Glory' conjures gospel influences making us rejoice. His take on Willie Johnson’s classic ' God Moves On The Water' is moving and inspiring. “Swing Bean” is an old song of Walker’s that he reworked in an exciting way. It is the precursor to the equally enchanting blues song “Dead Stray Dog.” “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl " by Sonny Boy Williamson is further incensed by the instrumental “ Putting on the Blakes” which is a tribute to Blind Blake, the great master of ragtime blues sound . Toby leaves his inspirations free rein in ' Highway', and he is moves heaven and earth in the concluding ‘Custard Pie.’ Deeply affected by his sound, Toby Walker suddenly leaves us at the end. Fortunately, there is such a thing as a replay on our CD player. In all his cover tunes Walker puts their own interpretation, but all this without neglecting the original spirit, which is a good thing!
Besides all his original work, Toby puts in his own interpretations into the covers. With his passion for the Delta Blues he blows us away..! The release ‘What You See Is What You Get’ sounds so deep…
Philip Verhaege, Keys and Chords.
For many of us does the name Toby Walker might not ring a bell? Yet Walker is an award -winning finger picking Piedmont blues musician. Despite his natural affinity for the blues, Toby is not from the Mississippi Delta. He was in fact born in the suburbs of Long Island. Walker is a professional, talented and unique performer, guitar virtuoso, instructor, storyteller songwriter, vocalist, entertainer and historian. This musical centipede is also specialized in different blues styles. His passion for blues, folk and traditional American music drives him to the Mississippi Delta. Eugene Powell, James " Son " Thomas, Etta Baker and RL Burnside were Toby's immediate teachers.
Along with his exceptional talent and passion Toby Walker is the perfect embodiment of a bluesman. His new album ' What You See Is What You Get' is not just one ordinary slice. No, it contains so much more. Including, for the same price the enthusiast receives 4 videos, three additional downloadable tracks, interviews, a biography, a lot of photo material and a unique description of his vintage instruments. For the novice fingerpicking guitarists among us there is even a video with some instructive guitar lessons. A lot of value for money. But let us restrict ourselves to the music on the disc.
The CD contains 16 delicious finger picking songs and for the first time Walker decided to replace his steel guitar with an electric one. The release opens with somewhat surprising “Baby Please Do not Go.” Muddy Waters classic is so timeless that Delta inspired the song arrangements transform into introverts sounds. With 'She's Into Something ' original Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland, Walker lays his passion and soul bare. The storytelling song ' Everything I Want ' strongly surfaced Toby’s voice . The exciting 'Glory, Glory' conjures gospel influences making us rejoice. His take on Willie Johnson’s classic ' God Moves On The Water' is moving and inspiring. “Swing Bean” is an old song of Walker’s that he reworked in an exciting way. It is the precursor to the equally enchanting blues song “Dead Stray Dog.” “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl " by Sonny Boy Williamson is further incensed by the instrumental “ Putting on the Blakes” which is a tribute to Blind Blake, the great master of ragtime blues sound . Toby leaves his inspirations free rein in ' Highway', and he is moves heaven and earth in the concluding ‘Custard Pie.’ Deeply affected by his sound, Toby Walker suddenly leaves us at the end. Fortunately, there is such a thing as a replay on our CD player. In all his cover tunes Walker puts their own interpretation, but all this without neglecting the original spirit, which is a good thing!
Besides all his original work, Toby puts in his own interpretations into the covers. With his passion for the Delta Blues he blows us away..! The release ‘What You See Is What You Get’ sounds so deep…
Philip Verhaege, Keys and Chords.
"What You See Is What You Get" marks the second amazing album I have received from internationally and nationally acclaimed roots music fingerstyle guitar virtuoso Toby Walker, with his first intro to me being "Shake Shake Mama" of which I wrote "For it's trueness to Styles and Sheer Enjoyment to listen to, I give "Shake Shake Mama" my Highest Rating of 5*****. "Shake Shake Mama" is a must have album for any lover, of not only the good Old Times Blues, but also for anyone that just loves great music." Besides my 5***** Rating, I also chose "Shake Shake Mama" for Best Blues Compilation Album in my 2011 Blues Underground Network Year End Review. After listening to "What You See Is What You Get", I must say that it is certainly on my short list for not only my 2013 Year End Review, but also my 2013 Top 10 USA Albums list.
Toby Walker has not only toured the U.S. extensively, but has also toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, along the way being featured in the "New York Times, the London Sunday Times, on the London BBC, and Sirius-XM radio". Acclaim for Toby Walker has also come by way of a 2010 NY Music Award For Best Instrumental Album, a 2009 Bronte Blues Awards - Best Acoustic Blues Act and Best Acoustic Guitarist, a 2006 NERFA Formal Showcase Performer and a 2002 International Blues Challenge Award presented by The Blues Foundation. Recognition of Toby Walker's stellar talent has come from many of the music industry's best artists, such as Bob Margolin who said, "I am stunned and in awe of Toby Walker's pickin"...
"What You See Is What You Get" consists of 16 great Tracks which clock in at a very respectable 53 minutes, but that is not the whole story when it comes to this album as it also contains a link on the inside cover to Exclusive Bonus Features which includes 4 Video's with interviews, stories, and songs, 3 additional song downloads, 3 video guitar lessons, descriptions and pictures of the unique guitars used on this album, and a poster that you can download and print and if you bring it to a gig, Toby Walker will sign it for you! Now if that isn't an album and a half, I don't know what is. I have had the opportunity to check out the page with the extras and I must say it certainly is a magnificently added feature for purchasing this album.
In addition to all the above surprises, Toby Walker also recorded, for the first time, songs using a Electric Slide Guitar, adding yet, another amazing dimension to Toby Walker's sound.
Toby Walker forte' is combining the "styles of blues, ragtime, country, bluegrass, rock and old time jazz into his own unique style." It is most of the styles you will, once again, find on "What You See Is What You Get", as he brings us five of his originals of which one each had co-writers Jeff Steinberg and Tom Griffith. Of the remaining 11 Tracks, Toby Walker chose some amazing songs, which included, "Baby, Please Don't Go" (McKinley Morganfield), "Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl" (Sonny Boy Williamson), "Statesboro Blues" (Willie McTell), "Roaches And Bedbugs" (Furry Lewis), and "Custard Pie" (Sonny Terry), to name just a few.
"What You See Is What You Get" was an absolute tour de force of favorites for me as Toby Walker with his special Finger Picking style gave those songs I was familiar with, a whole new life, especially, "Baby, Please Don't Go", "Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl", and "Statesboro Blues" and left me in total awe with the songs I had not heard before, especially "Putting On The Blakes", the second of two jaw dropping instrumentals. "Putting On The Blakes", is a tribute to the master of Ragtime Guitar, Blind Blake.
One thing I noticed about the Tracks on "What You See Is What You Get" is that all of them except for one is under 4 minutes, which once again lends a real authentic feel to the album, as many old time blues songs were quite short in length.
If you enjoy Guitar Picking at its very best, you will thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly, love "What You See Is What You Get". It is by far, one of the best treasures in it's style, released for 2013.
As with his previous release, "Shake Shake Mama", I also enthusiastically give "What You See Is What You Get" my highest rating of 5*****.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/
Toby Walker has not only toured the U.S. extensively, but has also toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, along the way being featured in the "New York Times, the London Sunday Times, on the London BBC, and Sirius-XM radio". Acclaim for Toby Walker has also come by way of a 2010 NY Music Award For Best Instrumental Album, a 2009 Bronte Blues Awards - Best Acoustic Blues Act and Best Acoustic Guitarist, a 2006 NERFA Formal Showcase Performer and a 2002 International Blues Challenge Award presented by The Blues Foundation. Recognition of Toby Walker's stellar talent has come from many of the music industry's best artists, such as Bob Margolin who said, "I am stunned and in awe of Toby Walker's pickin"...
"What You See Is What You Get" consists of 16 great Tracks which clock in at a very respectable 53 minutes, but that is not the whole story when it comes to this album as it also contains a link on the inside cover to Exclusive Bonus Features which includes 4 Video's with interviews, stories, and songs, 3 additional song downloads, 3 video guitar lessons, descriptions and pictures of the unique guitars used on this album, and a poster that you can download and print and if you bring it to a gig, Toby Walker will sign it for you! Now if that isn't an album and a half, I don't know what is. I have had the opportunity to check out the page with the extras and I must say it certainly is a magnificently added feature for purchasing this album.
In addition to all the above surprises, Toby Walker also recorded, for the first time, songs using a Electric Slide Guitar, adding yet, another amazing dimension to Toby Walker's sound.
Toby Walker forte' is combining the "styles of blues, ragtime, country, bluegrass, rock and old time jazz into his own unique style." It is most of the styles you will, once again, find on "What You See Is What You Get", as he brings us five of his originals of which one each had co-writers Jeff Steinberg and Tom Griffith. Of the remaining 11 Tracks, Toby Walker chose some amazing songs, which included, "Baby, Please Don't Go" (McKinley Morganfield), "Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl" (Sonny Boy Williamson), "Statesboro Blues" (Willie McTell), "Roaches And Bedbugs" (Furry Lewis), and "Custard Pie" (Sonny Terry), to name just a few.
"What You See Is What You Get" was an absolute tour de force of favorites for me as Toby Walker with his special Finger Picking style gave those songs I was familiar with, a whole new life, especially, "Baby, Please Don't Go", "Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl", and "Statesboro Blues" and left me in total awe with the songs I had not heard before, especially "Putting On The Blakes", the second of two jaw dropping instrumentals. "Putting On The Blakes", is a tribute to the master of Ragtime Guitar, Blind Blake.
One thing I noticed about the Tracks on "What You See Is What You Get" is that all of them except for one is under 4 minutes, which once again lends a real authentic feel to the album, as many old time blues songs were quite short in length.
If you enjoy Guitar Picking at its very best, you will thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly, love "What You See Is What You Get". It is by far, one of the best treasures in it's style, released for 2013.
As with his previous release, "Shake Shake Mama", I also enthusiastically give "What You See Is What You Get" my highest rating of 5*****.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/
For a number of years, the appearances and recordings of Toby Walker have been eagerly awaited by his substantial coterie of fans. They will be nothing less than delighted by this, his latest album. The sixteen tracks comprise five original compositions (one in collaboration with Jeff Steinberg and one with Tom Griffith) and a varied selection of cover versions. Purchase of the CD delivers the added bonus of access to a hidden page on Toby’s website, which provides three additional songs to download, videos of the recording of some of the songs, pictures and stories relating to the guitars used on the album and a guitar lesson.
The album opens with a terrific version of “Baby, Please Don’t Go”, followed by an equally fine rendition of “She’s Into Something” before the first taste of Toby’s infectious humour in the form of “Everything I Want”. A rousing version of the traditional “Glory, Glory” leads to a sensitive delivery of Willie Johnson’s “God Moves On The Water”, which is contrasted by the fast-moving instrumental, “Swing Bean”.
Louisiana Red’s “Dead Stray Dog” is followed by superb versions of “Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl” and “Statesboro Blues” and “Putting On The Blakes”, a splendid, ragtime tribute to Blind Blake. Rube Lacey’s “Ham Hound Crave” makes way for Toby’s excellent take on Furry Lewis’s “Roaches And Bedbugs”, before he delivers the last two original numbers – a headlong dash along “Highway” and another touch of whimsy on “Put Something Stupid On The Tube”. The album ends with a beautifully-played airing of Mississippi John Hurt’s “Got The Blues, Can’t Be Satisfied” and a delicious slice of Sonny Terry’s “Custard Pie”.
The combination of Toby’s great vocals and sublime finger-picking artistry, now expertly complemented by the addition of some top class slide guitar work, deliver a hugely enjoyable album, which is highly recommended.
Lionel Ross - Blues in the Northwest
The album opens with a terrific version of “Baby, Please Don’t Go”, followed by an equally fine rendition of “She’s Into Something” before the first taste of Toby’s infectious humour in the form of “Everything I Want”. A rousing version of the traditional “Glory, Glory” leads to a sensitive delivery of Willie Johnson’s “God Moves On The Water”, which is contrasted by the fast-moving instrumental, “Swing Bean”.
Louisiana Red’s “Dead Stray Dog” is followed by superb versions of “Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl” and “Statesboro Blues” and “Putting On The Blakes”, a splendid, ragtime tribute to Blind Blake. Rube Lacey’s “Ham Hound Crave” makes way for Toby’s excellent take on Furry Lewis’s “Roaches And Bedbugs”, before he delivers the last two original numbers – a headlong dash along “Highway” and another touch of whimsy on “Put Something Stupid On The Tube”. The album ends with a beautifully-played airing of Mississippi John Hurt’s “Got The Blues, Can’t Be Satisfied” and a delicious slice of Sonny Terry’s “Custard Pie”.
The combination of Toby’s great vocals and sublime finger-picking artistry, now expertly complemented by the addition of some top class slide guitar work, deliver a hugely enjoyable album, which is highly recommended.
Lionel Ross - Blues in the Northwest