Billy Walton Band - Soul Of A Man (2018)

From the shores of Jersey to the clubs of Britain, the Billy Walton band have been kicking around for ten years. Billy Walton himself has played with Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, and his band really reflect that soulful rock and blues sound. His guitar playing is second to none and it's a combination of rock and soul blended together like that of no other, yet it's done traditionally enough to sound familiar to the masses.
This is a mighty road-tested band and it shows in the live performance on this well-produced video clip. It kicks off with Walton looking dark and mysterious with a black background as he enters the picture in a black suit, strapped with an orange sunburst Les Paul. The lighting effects are great as the horns come in and give it a swampy groove that doesn't quit, with the horns going onto add just the right flavor to stand apart for ordinary blues-rock. They really do bring the bottom end the track needs to make it taste so different around Walton's blazing guitar which allowed plenty of room to shine.
It's not hard to tell within the first few bars how playing with the likes of Southside Johnny, but he makes that style his own, and the band backs him without losing a step. The music sounds like a natural progression from the last album "Wish For What You Want" - produced by Tony Braunagel in 2015. But it's everything to be expected for any fans looking for the next level of Billy Walton's chops. It delivers in both the songwriting and playing department by all in involved in this rocking, soulful romp. There's no holding back in the energy department as the rhythm section and horns spar for the spotlight.
The influence of the New Jersey sound is something you can't miss from this band, and that doesn't come without the mention of Bruce Springsteen, but also Count Basie and the rest who forged the sound of that area so long ago. Billy Walton and his band carry on in that same tradition with the live show being the main means of constant work, touring all over the US and the UK. The new album marks a fresh perspective with new tracks for the stage, and the video for "Hell Or Highwater" helps preview what's to come when they hot the road in support of it.
There is no denying how tight they are, and this is a track to showcase their talents with Walton up front, leading the way with tons of swagger. And when I say it has a swampy sound, just imagine a "Jim Dandy To The Rescue" shuffle, mixed with an epic, sizzling hot, Jeff Healey style guitar solo. And make no mistake, Billy Walton keeps up with the best of 'em as he takes this track over with a monster prowess, and the rest is gravy, as they say. It comes recommended for all that and more, as even hardcore blues lovers can find much to enjoy about such an honest, top shelf piece of work. ~Mindy McCall