About "After A While"

"The re-emergence of soul singer supreme Wee Willie Walker has been one of the most welcome musical developments of the past several years, as he tours internationally, makes sterling additions to his catalog, and racks up well-deserved raves and honors.  With AFTER A WHILE, his discography has reached a new peak.  Anthony Paule provides his usual spot-on, savvy and impeccable guitar playing and band leading, as his talent-rich Soul Orchestra combines with thoughtful, substantial songwriting, much of it by Christine Vitale, to craft as sympathetic a frame as a vocalist could dream about.  Willie brings all of his passion, power and depth to bear.  It all adds up to what is very much a collaboration, one which should bring copious joy to listeners and wind up on many blues and soul awards lists.”

   — Richard Shurman, Music Producer, Journalist, and Historian

"Anyone missing the golden years of Soul can stop pining and go check out Wee Willie Walker who still has it all Right Now. He’s keeping the Soul flame burning bright and effortlessly killing it on, After A While. Congrats to all involved."

   — Mike Kappus, Rosebud Agency

“ Back in the storied Memphis soul 1960s, Wee Willie Walker belted out a song like nobody’s business. Today, he’s a more refined and temperate vocalist, teaming with excellent guitarist Anthony Paule’s 7-piece Soul Orchestra for a start-to-finish enjoyable album heavily weighted in favor of substantive musical drama. Indeed Walker has a stout heart; he zooms in on the true-grit meaning of a lyric given him by perceptive, emerging songwriter Christine Vitale or brought out of the golden r&b past (Little Willie John’s ‘Look What You’ve Done To Me,’ Mable Johns’ ‘Your Good Thing’). ” 

— Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat Magazine

I love the "After A While" CD with some excellent new songs. Can't take it off the deck -- I'm spreading the word, too!

    — Ray Ellis,  Journalist, Photographer Juke Blues (UK)

"I am listening to the first few bars of the first song.  So far…WOW! I love the band's sound, the feeling of the music, and the vibe of Willie's singing…and that's just in the first 2 minutes. Can't wait to hear the rest!"

    — Mary Flynn, Wisconsin Public Radio

“…For Walker’s latest effort, he joined up with Bay Area guitarist Anthony Paule and his eight-piece band at Berkeley’s famed Fantasy Studios. The 13 tracks include covers of … Lil Green’s Romance In the Dark, with some particularly tasty Paule guitar … a duet with Terrie Odabi on Lovey Dovey …Your Good Thing (Is About to End). The balance are mostly from varying combinations of Walker, Paule and co-producer Christine Vitale, most notably the opening Second Chance with its Willie Mitchell groove, Thanks for the Dance with its echoes of the Drifters, the tender acknowledgment of paternity on Cannot Be Denied and the ever-timely Hate Take a Holiday… Although Paule and company shine throughout, there’s no doubt that the seemingly ageless Walker is the star here. Those who are familiar with his work will know what to expect, and those who are not owe it to themselves to find out.

— Jim DeKoster, Living Blues Magazine

“…These thirteen tracks feature Walker who, after all these years, is still at the top of his game. His performances here leave no doubt that he is as a soul singer who is now in a class by himself. As for guitarist Anthony Paule, he sounds like he has found the perfect vehicle for his talents. He, along with his partner in life and music, Christine Vitale, demonstrate here that they are a formidable songwriting team. Selected covers include the Eddie Curtis classic Lovey Dovey from the Atlantic Records vaults and the Issac Hayes/Dave Porter penned Your Good Thing (Is About To End) among others.”

— David Mac, Blues Junction

“….Walker remains in excellent voice and puts his heart and soul into most numbersThe opener ‘Second Chance’, set to a mid-tempo groove, sets the scene for the rest of the album with Walker’s vocals being truly soulful and the band and brass offering a perfect backdrop…Paule’s minimalist guitar frills adding to the atmosphere of the outing. Then it’s to the title track ‘AFTER A WHILE’ a near perfect ballad that builds from a simple sounding song to a sweeping horn driven beauty that builds, climaxes to a crescendo…”

— Mike Stephenson, Blues and Rhythm (UK)

“…The Wow factor is immediate, it then cruises with some smooth soul, and finishes by kicking into high gear with rhythm, blues, funk and soul. Willie’s personality is engrained in these recordings as his voice paints the landscape of American Soul. He has surrounded himself with first-rate talent and friends, which translates into an outstanding album of music…”

— Ken Tritz, Bag O’ Tritz

About "If Nothing Ever Changes"

If enough of the right people hear If Nothing Ever Changes,
Wee Willie Walker’s world will change, and he will become the
award-winning, highly sought-after soul/blues singer he has
deserved to be since the 1960s… Not enough good things
can be said about this singer’s comeback record.
— Steve Sharp, Living Blues
 
West Coast guitarist Kid Andersen and harmonica player Rick
Estrin have done fans of quality roots music a public service
by rescuing 1960s Goldwax soul singer Wee Willie Walker.
— Frank-John Hadley, DownBeat
 
‘60s soul journeyman Wee Willie Walker returns
here with a highly charged, diverse set stacked with
airplay-worthy tracks… A “year’s best” candidate.
— Duane Verh, Roots Music Report
 
A contemporary rousing soul record with a classic vibe
running through it, you can’t go wrong here if you want some
solid soul that will reach down into yours. Killer stuff.
— Chris Spector, Midwest Record
 
If Nothing Ever Changes shines as a beacon of hope
in the survival of genuine soul music.
— James Nadal, All About Jazz
 
This is another outstanding release from this underrated
soul singer.
— Charlie Lange, Blues Junction Productions
 
Steeped in the riches of the blues and soul, often summoning
up images of Sam Cooke and Wilson Picket, Mr. Walker and
company find that sweet spot of the heyday of the soulman.
— TJ Nelson, World Music Central

About Wee Willie Walker

“I have been part of producing and playing on over 100
releases. Nothing I have ever done is as great or important
as this CD Rick and I produced for Willie Walker. This IS
the real deal, and the world needs to recognize that.”
— Kid Andersen
 
“Who says they don’t make ‘em like that anymore? Pick up
the new Wee Willie Walker CD and see how it’s done.”
— Otis Clay
 
“Willie Walker is pure deep southern soul.
They just don't make 'em like that anymore.”
— Curtis Salgado
 
“I am very excited about Wee Willie Walkers record
If Nothing Ever Changes! He is a fantastic soul
singer with timeless material.”
— John Nemeth
 
“Wee Willie Walker is the man… he’s the soul MAN
of soul MEN – and you can quote me on that!”
— Johnny Rawls
 
“Here's a big smooth voice out a small man, with larger
than life talent, soul and charisma! I highly recommend
you to check him out!”
— Sugaray Rayford
 
“Wee Willie Walker is a classic and classy soul singer!
You can hear his strong gospel roots in every phrase he
sings. Whether listening to his recordings or performing
live with him, his powerful voice sends me!”
— Anthony Paule