A finalist in four of the past five years' prestigious UK Songwriting Competition (including second place in the Jazz/Blues category of the 2002), Greg Walker is now making waves in the highly popular independent artists download charts at mp3tunes.com, where Straight From The Source 1 has held the No.1 position simultaneously in the overall Jazz chart, the Latin Jazz chart and the Brazilian Jazz chart - the latter, almost without break for several months.
"Infused with the subtle scent of Latino and a spray of stylish atmospherics, SFTS1 kicks off with the instantly likeable Rio Geo before transporting the listener up to the heights of Then Again..., one of the catchiest and simultaneously haunting tunes you'll hear this side of Havana. Then there's Somewhere In This World - an infectious, almost commercial, snapping-fingers-in-the-air groove, with a melody that will stay with you long after the track has finished. By contrast, there is a melancholic, wistful quality to pieces like Children of the Latin Quarter, Lee's Summit and While You're Far Away.
Never far away, though, is the brazilian influence which infuses these pieces with a slow-burning passion. Cool? Yes, but it is more than that - beguiling, intelligent and perhaps more importantly, extremely listenable - you'll want to play it again and again."
Straight From The Source 1 is available from the following places, as either a CD or mp3 downloads:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/gwalker
www.mp3tunes.com/gregwalker
Apple iTunes music store at www.apple.com/itunes:
Paste the following link for SFTS1:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?
playListId=47134090
...and this one for SFTS2:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?
playListId=148125408
Straight From The Source 2 is also available online at CD Baby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/gwalker2, and both CDs are available directly from me (signed if required) at www.straightfromthesource.co.uk
A couple of initial reviews...
"...fans of SFTS1 won't be disappointed. Let me make this clear: not only is Straight From The Source 2 as good as the first, it is even better. It isn't just very good, it's outstanding. Blending latin, jazz and Brazilian elements in a rich mix that manages to be both diverse and unified, it's assured without being brash - to my mind, the playing acts as a support to the compositions, which means it never becomes pretentious or self indulgent - it's just a real listening pleasure.
Given Greg Walker's insistence on refining and refining his work until he reaches
a level hes satisfied with, we can't expect a third album just yet, so savour this
one. Those with a discerning musical palate will recognise they've got a treat in
their hands. Play it once. Play it twice. Play it over and over. You'll be smitten."
and another...
"Yep, it's a love story. Beautiful playing, restrained and tasteful, gorgeous production, lovely tunes. I have a confession - "I Should Know By Now" made me cry! Greg my man, why aren't you huge? These albums are destined to become two of my favourites. My first instinct was right - 'kin brilliant!"
and yet another...
"Beneath the simple yet striking packaging lies a superbly crafted, eminently listenable and thoroughly consistent album, different in mood from its predecessor, Straight From The Source 1. UK-based guitarist and composer Greg Walker has crafted ten supremely lyrical tunes that make this the consummate second album. The subtle programming paints a vivid musical palette, with many inspired flourishes throughout, while the deft, 'clean' guitar lines (whatever guitar he chooses to play), whisk your mind instantly away to Pat Metheny's breeziest, most light-filled playing - never more so than on the intriguingly-titled 'Two Sugars For Louis', with its lovely harmonica/synth motif. There are even echoes of Acoustic Alchemy in the pristine The Other Side Of Here. Pete May's contributions on piano are exquisite, and guest flugelhorn/trumpet by Dave Pugh is sublime... there's no other word for it.Several tunes epitomise this album's uniqueness for me, however - real standouts. Perhaps the most striking is 'I Should Know By Now', graced by Dave Pugh's exquisite flugelhorn solo, radiating a gorgeous 'northern English' feel, redolent of lazy afternoons in the sun. Bathes you in a warm glow, does this track! Maybe it's the glorious 'As Was Wes', with subtle snare drum loop underpinning the gorgeous piano-rich melody. Or perhaps it's the superbly ambient 'And The Rain Came', where the mood is languid and more than a tad melancholy... who cares? They're all delicious!This album could well prove to be the perfect soundtrack to summer 2006 for lovers of ambient jazz."
August 2006 - Latest News:
I Should Know By Now reached the finals of the Instrumental category in this year's UK Songwriting Contest, announced in August 2006. Both this song and my other entry, Two Sugars For Louis, also scored highly on the peer review system.
Any questions, please get in touch - thanks for dropping in (and may the source be with you...)
