Guitar Red
Frequently Down But Never Out
On July 29, Decatur, Georgia based blues guitarist and singer Guitar Red
fulfilled an unexpected lifelong dream with the release of his debut album
that truly lives up to its moniker Lightnin’ In A Bottle. As the first release
by recently launched Atlanta indie label Backspace Records, the day could have
easily called for a dual celebration. But there was no formal fanfare, no
scheduled record release party at a big club, no streamers and balloons or
packaged performance with a backing band. Instead, the 44 year-old street
musician—real name, Billy Christian Walls — spent the day doing what he always
does around the square of Decatur, strumming his guitar and singing songs of
women, drinking and hard times in the raw, unvarnished tradition of real
blues. Not those slick modern pop-rock blues of
Robert Cray,
Eric Clapton,
Taj Mahal and
B.B. King
— no offense meant to those legends at all. But those raw,
Robert Johnson
blues that can only come from knowing hunger, poverty, heartache, loss, drug
and alcohol addiction, not to mention homelessness. Guitar Red is the real
deal, a "busker" who spends most mornings on E. Court Square,
sometimes in front of the Brick Store Pub, whose management is kind to him,
where he frequently plays for hours. On a good day, he goes to sleep with a
pocketful of tips. But not every day is a good day. No matter. For Red, it’s
all about authenticity, staying true to who he is. That sort of integrity, not
to mention a spirited roller coaster ride of humor and hurt, shines through on
the 11 tracks of Lightnin’ In A Bottle, which he recorded live (with the
exception of a guitar solo and clavinet piece) at Backspace Records studio in
December 2007.
(quoted from backspacerecords.com)
Visit Guitar Red's page at myspace.com.
Visit also these related Sites:
Biographical Information on Guitar Red
Guitar Red biography at backspacerecords.com.
Various Articles on Guitar Red
Article at airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com.
Article by Drew Jubera.
Article at eartaste.blogspot.com.
Article at championnewspaper.com.
Article at atlanta.broowaha.com.
Reviews and Critiques of Guitar Red Live Performances and Recordings
Cd review at bluesundergroundnetwork.com
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