Sammy Walker [Import]

Sammy Walker [Import]

Track Listings

1. Brown Eyed Georgia Darlin

2. Days I Left Behind

3. Cold Pittsburgh Morning

4. My Old Friend

5. Catcher In The Rye

6. Decoration On The Wall

7. Liyyle New Jersey Town

8. I Ain't Got Time To Kill

9. Street Above Lake Eric

10. East Colorado Dam

11. If I Had The Time

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese Exclusive Release.

Sammy Walker,Sammy Walker,Wea,Folk

Song for Patty
Average customer rating:

God help the troubadour with his unknown chords of fame ...

Sammy Walker is Not Bob Dylan Or John Prine

Song for Patty
Sammy Walker
Manufacturer: Vivid Sound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000A9DPI
Release Date: 2003-08-04

Tracks:

Song For Patty
Ragamuffin Minstrel Boy
My Old Yearbook
Little New Jersey Town
I Ain't Got No Home
Closin' Time
A Simple Hour Operation
Ballad Of Johnny Strozier
Funny Farm Blues
Testimony Of A Dying Lady
Catcher In The Rye
Bound For Glory

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Customer Reviews:

God help the troubadour with his unknown chords of fame ..........2005-04-14

An unjustly overlooked masterpiece, Sammy Walker's excellent 1975 debut album "Song for Patty" stands the test of time to remain one of the most interesting -- and still relevant -- records of its day.

However, the history of this work has perhaps overshadowed its actual artistic content, and that is unfortunate because the songs that Walker wrote and performed here are almost uniformly perfect. Of course, it is worth noting that the late, great folksinger Phil Ochs produced "Song for Patty" for "Broadside" magazine, right around the time that he was spiraling down into mental illness, and it is a testament to Ochs's fine musical judgment that he was able to recognize Walker's immense talent even when his own life was so tormented.

The times they were a-changing, though, and the era of topical songwriting was ending. Radio stations might still play something like Gordon Lightfoot's "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" but they wouldn't touch this title track about the controversial kidnapped heiress-turned Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Patricia Hearst. Sadly, as a result, most people never got to hear just how good these tunes were when they first came out.

And these songs are fantastic. "My Old Yearbook" is a sly, witty little number that takes an amusing look at how life holds surprises for all of us. "Closin' Time" is a powerful piece of social commentary wrapped in stirring poetry. "A Simple Hour Operation" and "Funny Farm Blues" both offer catchy lines, and if the former seems a bit dated with its reference to ex-President Richard Nixon, the rest of its verses remain as thought-provoking as ever. On the other hand, "Testimony Of A Dying Lady" still rings so true that it could easily describe the state of health care and our criminal (in)justice system even today. The cover of the Ochs' classic "Bound for Glory" is nicely handled, and the Woody Guthrie tune "I Ain't Got No Home (In This World Anymore)" is genuinely haunting. It's hard to listen to Phil singing harmony on the chorus and not shiver to realize he would be dead by his own hand less than a year after that recording session. Elsewhere, in spite of its descriptive charms, "Little New Jersey Town" is more of a minor track, while "Ragamuffin Minstrel Boy" is a ballad that Walker obviously intended as his tribute to a certain ex-folkie superstar from Hibbing, Minnesota. Both are OK but nothing special.

Overall though, Walker's lyrics are extraordinary, and his delivery works well with his material. Because of his background story and the sound of his voice, many reviewers inevitably compare him to Bob Dylan, but stylistically he owes as much to other singer-songwriters of that age, such as Eric Andersen, Harry Chapin, John Prine, and Patrick Sky. Modern audiences hearing Walker might also be reminded of Bill Morrissey, especially in the way Walker uses the casual observations of his characters and his own personal narratives to make important points about human nature.

The bottom line is that "Song for Patty" is an undiscovered treasure and a diamond in the rough that anyone who appreciates strong songwriting should enjoy. This gem of an album has been neglected for too long. By all means, do yourself a favor and check it out. If this import version does not fit within your budget, you should know that the same title (without the cover art) is available from Smithsonian Folkways at a much lower price. Give it a listen, and prepare to have your ears peeled back. For a generation bombarded with Britney Spears and brainwashed with Wilco, Sammy Walker is the real deal like nothing else you've ever heard. It's a blast from the past that still packs a punch.

Sammy Walker is Not Bob Dylan Or John Prine.......2004-11-01

but he exists somewhere in between. His voice more closely resembles Bob on this earlier album, but the material is more folky, and less bluesy, with occasional touches of humour and politics. Cool solo singer-songwriter from Georgia helped out by Phil Ochs. He should've been a star. He never lip-synched either.

Average customer rating:

Great overlooked folkie

In Concert
Sammy Walker
Manufacturer: Brambus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008RH21
Release Date: 2003-04-15

Tracks:

Just When I Think About Surrender
Look Away Old Friend
Blue Ridge Mountain Skyline
San Francisco Bay Blues
Old Man in the Window
New Alabama Jubilee
Night the Cotton Gin Burned Down
Marvin and Paula (Young Lovers)
Shady Grove
Ballad of Ira Hayes
Superstition's Mine
Proud and Poor
Days I Left Behind

Customer Reviews:

Great overlooked folkie.......2004-06-22

This is a really scarce concert from Italy. Sammy sounds great; no other musicians needed. If ye like Dylan, Prine or Arlo, you'll wanna pick this up, as Sammy holds his own with some great originals and good covers. Be the first on your block to bring Walker the attention he deserves.

Average customer rating:

Sammy's still out there

Old Time Southern Dream
Sammy Walker
Manufacturer: Brambus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008RH33
Release Date: 2003-04-15

Tracks:

Not Just Another Fad
Guns and Guns and Guns
Old Time Southern Dream
Catskill Mountain Sugar Maple Queen
You've Got to Walk That Lonesome Valley
Lee the Weaver
Rakestraw Wood
For My Dad
Oh, Had I a Golden Thread
Death of the Old Sequoia
There But for Fortune
Seed of Life

Customer Reviews:

Sammy's still out there.......2005-12-03

From North Carolina to you, Phil Ochs' protege proves his worth again by marrying tradition and topical in a quiet civil ceremony. Walker plays instruments he builds himself, and this recording has the nice informal feel of a good home recording. It would be great to see him at the Woody Guthrie festival in Okemah Oklahoma, because he would be the star attraction.

Average customer rating:

Sammy Shoulda Been a Star
Overlooked folk rock classic

Blue Ridge Mountain Skyline
Sammy Walker
Manufacturer: Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00004TZ7L
Release Date: 2000-05-24

Tracks:

Blue Ridge Mountain Skyline
Aparachian Call Minors Sun
Legends
Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone
Caroline Soldier Boy
Hollywood For A Train
Dust Dome Disaster
Ballad Of The Late Edgar Dooley
Tight Rope To Heaven

Album Description

Japanese only reissue of the classic folk album originally released in 1977. Tracks include 'Blue Ridge Mountain Skyli ne' & 'Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews:

Sammy Shoulda Been a Star.......2004-06-26

The Phil Ochs tribute "Legends" is a classic. His version of "Waiting For a Train" is the best since Jimmie Rodgers'. This is cool acoustic country with good verbiage. Hunt down a copy.

Overlooked folk rock classic.......2004-06-22

Sounds a lot like John Prine, but with a different lyrical slant. Nice acoustic band here, including James Burton. Melodic stuff abounds, so hunt down a copy of this lost gem.

Average customer rating:

sammy walker
A Rare Gem From Georgia
This is just brilliant

Sammy Walker
Sammy Walker
Manufacturer: Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000042O67

Tracks:

Brown Eyed Georgia Darlin
Days I Left Behind
Cold Pittsburgh Morning
My Old Friend
Catcher In The Rye
Decoration On The Wall
Liyyle New Jersey Town
I Ain't Got Time To Kill
Street Above Lake Eric
East Colorado Dam
If I Had The Time

Album Details

Japanese Exclusive Release.

Customer Reviews:

sammy walker.......2001-12-27

Sammy Walker was a very promising young singer who had the misfortune to fall under the influence of Phil Ochs, and to be lumped in with all of the "new Bob Dylan's" who were coming along in the 60's and 70's. This album shows a lot of what could have been for Sammy. He is very direct with his lyrics, and when he sings that all he wanted to be was just a "catcher in the rye" you know what he is talking about. this is a great first album for any artist.

A Rare Gem From Georgia.......2000-08-22

Dylanesque? Yes, but I immediately think of John Prine when I hear this recording. I am a huge Prine fan, and I must say this is as good as anything Prine has ever done. Walker's voice sounds a great deal like Prine's, and his song writing ability and subject matter are also very similar. Dan Dugmore plays steel to perfection, and the rest of the band is excellent, also. You will be delighted with the sound quality of the recording. If you like folk-country-rock stuff, buy this CD. It is worth the import price.

This is just brilliant.......2000-03-04

I was priviledged to hear this CD and I mean priviledged in London.

A dealer who knows how much I love music put it aside.

If you love Dylan you will will want to go to heaven with this one.

Superb stuff

Music Review: