Leap of Faith [Digipak] (CD - 2009)

Personnel: Seth Walker (vocals, guitars, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Colin Linden (guitars, electric guitar, resonator guitar); Dan Dugmore (steel guitar); Chris Carmichael (strings); Jim Hoke (saxophone); Steve Herman (trumpet); Kevin McKendree (piano, Wurlitzer organ); Steve Mackey (upright bass); Lynn Williams (drums, percussion); Jacob Hubbard, Delbert McClinton, Jon Randall, Angela Primm, Gayle A. West (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: David Z. .

Recording information: Fearless Recording, Nashville, TN.

Arranger: Chris Carmichael.

Blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist Seth Walker created a stir on the Austin, Texas, music scene with an easy-flowing, authentic-sounding brand of juke joint blues. On LEAP OF FAITH, the North Carolina native sounds more relaxed than ever, tossing off relaxed, soulful vocal performances and T-Bone Walker-style guitar licks with the panache of a seasoned veteran. The artist covers a variety of blues/R&B flavors, from the Texas chooglin' of "I Don't Dance" to the straight rock & roll of "Something Fast" and the funky New Orleans backbeat of "Rewind." Most compelling however, may be the ballads ("I Got a Song," "Falling Out of Love"), where Walker seems to be simultaneously channeling Ray Charles and Harry Connick Jr., eschewing simple blues revivalism in favor of dedication to the song, no matter where it may take him. minimize