PHILLIP WALKER "GOING BACK HOME" Source: Washington Blues Society Date: 05/2007 Writer: Malcolm Kennedy

Phillip was born in Louisiana in 1937 and as a boy moved with his family to Texas. Phillips early musical influences included the Cajun & Creole music he heard and many of the Texas guitarists including T-Bone Walker. He backed Roscoe Gordon in a session in 1952 and in 1953 Zydeco King; Clifton Chenier hired Walker to perform with him for the next several years. All this before he even turned 20. Phillip moved to LA in 1959 where he recorded, worked the clubs and did occasional session work. He continued to tour and put out well received releases though the ‘80s and ‘90s. The plan for this Delta Groove CD was to record some of the music of his Louisiana and Texas roots, hence the title “Going Back Home,” music he usually wouldn’t be playing. Delta Groove is sometimes using something on their releases common at Chess and Stax back in the day and that is the “House Band.” Walker’s soulful vocals and sharp guitar are supported on this CD by Rusty Zinn, rhythm & lead guitar and by Hollywood Blue Flames members Richard Innes, drums; Frank Kaplan, piano on 5 tracks and Al Blake, harmonica on 2 tracks. This is a fine release by an artist who truly deserves to be listened to.