K. Walters – Far Away From Chicago (EP)
K.Walters is the Singer/Songwriter pseudonym for Chicago Electric Blues artist Khalif Wailinʼ Walter. The K. Walters project was born out of a desire for Khalif to get away from playing only the foot stompingʼ funky Blues his band is known for to perform songs which he had written that did not fit the band format. K. Walters songwriting encompasses elements of R&B, Soul, Funk, Flamenco, Country, & Gospel.
This new EP ‘Far Away From Chicago’ is the circle completing itself with K. Walters coming back to his original roots; The Chicago Blues. It is a much more modern take on the classic acoustic blues format and is definitely a voice all his own.
‘Far Away From Chicago’ is truly a solo EP. K. Walters wrote all the music and lyrics, recorded everything, played acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, mandolin, bass, auxiliary percussion, sang all lead and background vocals, edited, mixed, mastered, & produced everything himself.
His old band mate from the Lonnie Brooks band Pat Doody joined him on drums for 3 tracks. The songs cover a vast array of blues styles leaning heavily on the Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Sr. styles of Honky Tonk Blues. The lyrics weave stories loaded with satyrical takes on the mixed up emotions of numerous serious subjects. Isn’t that exactly what we all need in these times?
The EP features 4 newly recorded songs from K. Walters 2015 solo release: The Preacher, The Pimp, & The Bluesman, That Olʼ Devil, Connie-Lee, & Ghost Train. The Preacher, The Pimp, & The Bluesman which begs the question ‘in the end who really knows the heart of man?ʼ was written about the hypocrisy of sidewalk preachers in Chicago. That Olʼ Devil while it is very upbeat and lighthearted covers the issue of the hold addiction can take on every day life.
Connie-Lee Is a modern version of the classic blues format. Passionately sung throughout with fine and varied guitar work. A little crown jewel on K. Walter’s new project. Ghost Train takes the listener through the old southwest United States. As in the first track, the multitrack voice overdudubbing effect adds an incredibly haunting dimension. Of the new songs, Them Modern Day Downhome Backhand Racist Blues stands out. Itʼs an indictment of what K. Walters characterizes as the ‘newʼ racism; when racism is called out for what it is, there is a cycle of denial, gaslighting, and then reversal to blame the person who pointed out the racist behavior as being the racist. The lyrics themselves make one think “Should I really be feeling good and laughing out loud at this?”.
Humor is K. Waltersʼ way of dealing with the life & death issue. He creates a satire that makes lays bare the pain for all to see. Tell Me Baby is a a straight ahead sexy sultry 12 bar blues. The 16 Bar Country Blues Dysfunctional Love Song is exactly what the title would suggest…and again irony takes the day.
Tracklist:
01. The Preacher, The Pimp, & The Bluesman
02. Them Modern Day Downhome Backhand Racist Blues
03. That Ol’ Devil
04. Tell Me Baby
05. Connie-Lee
06. Ghost Train
07. The 16 Bar Country Blues Dysfunctional Love Song (Bonus Track)
The EP is available only through K.Walters website:
https://www.damnyalljamn.net/