Walter Wolfman Washington & The Roadmasters
Maple Leaf Bar
New Orleasn
4 May 02

Disc 1 Chicken Glasshouse Funky Thing Use Me Chains Of Love Can I Change MY Mind Funkyard Heatin' It Up Outro Jam

Disc 2 Wolf Funk I'm Tiptoeing Through Close The Door When The Answer Is Clear Steal Away Funk Is In The House Nobody's Fault But Mine Turn On Your Lovelight You Can Stay But The Noise Must G

Walter "Wolfman" Washington is not just another Howlin' Wolf wannabe. While his live act is blazingly hot(like Howling Wolf), that's where the similarities ends. Howling Wolf played a Delta and Chicago stylings while Walter Wolfman Washington plays in the traditions of his hometown, New Orleans. For more than 40 years, he's been mixing his blues with gospel, funk, soul and jazz - A gumbo voodoo soup of blues unlike his more famous namesake.

Washington got his professional start in the late 1950s, supporting famed blues singer Johnny Adams. In the '60s, he worked with other New Orleans R&B legends such as Irma Thomas and Lee Dorsey before forming his own band. Since striking out on his own, Washington has built a reputation as a must-see live act. He released his first album in 1981 and by then, he'd secured a massive word of mouth reputation due to his years of club work.

Washington's impassioned vocals fall closer to the deep-soul end of the spectrum than the traditional blues moan, and his guitar often stutters along in pure James Brown funk mode. Multiple horns add to his already high-octane stage show. The cost and hassle of keeping together a large touring band means that few young blues fans have had a chance to see a brass-heavy blues act in all its glory.

Well, since you can't see them live, this is as close as you'll get for now. And then you'll want to start looking for them live.

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