Soul of the Soulman

Wee Willie Walker

If Nothing Ever Changes (Little Village Foundation, 2015)

Do-overs are a rare thing in life. Likewise, we might sit and politely listen to the “I coulda been a contender…” story, and yet we don’t believe half of those deeds, adventures or brushes with fame. We’re even less likely to believe in greatness thwarted by a missed bus, a rival’s dirty trick or some key figure’s lack of vision. Somehow we like to believe that talent or genius is earned justly and rewarded fairly.

Other than those occasional news stories or You Tube videos featuring some seemingly ordinary person doing something extraordinary before disappearing into the anonymity ether once again, we rarely get the chance to witness not the do-over but the setting things to right as talent or genius is given its proper due. Fortunately, musicians Rick Estrin, Kid Anderson and Jim Pugh under the guise of the nonprofit Little Village Foundation are setting things to rights in the music business.

With a mission to helping musicians find that wider audience, Little Village Foundation has sallied forth with four musicians Ron Thompson on recording Son of Boogie Woogie, Los Tres Amigos-Snuviko on The Three Friends from Where the Clouds Descend, Dave Ellis on With Any Luck But Bad and Wee Willie Walker on If Nothing Ever Changes so these artists find that wider audience.

Mr. Pugh puts it and Little Village Foundation best, “Little Village isn’t premeditated; it’s actually the way I’ve lived since I was a teenager. A combination of music, diversity, and helping other people. My talent isn’t in musical virtuosity but in being able to feel and reflect the emotional commonality between many different kinds of music. When I was in my early 20s, I played on American Bandstand and flew home that day to play at an organ bar in Oakland. I made no distinction between the two. Both gigs had equal value to me.”

Fans and collectors of the Goldwax and Chess records 45s, will remember the sweet soul sounds of Wee Willie Walker. Now, with the help of Mr. Estrin, Mr. Pugh, Mr. Anderson and a whole host of stand-out musicians, Mr. Walker has hit the musical streets with If Nothing Ever Changes.

For newer fans, Mr. Walker’s vocals are rich and rewarding against a backdrop of organ, piano, guitars, brass and some smart and sassy backing vocals on If Nothing Ever Changes. Steeped in the riches of the blues and soul, often summoning up images of Sam Cooke and Wilson Pickett, Mr. Walker and company find that sweet spot of the heyday of the soulman.

With offerings like the catchy “Read Between the Lines,” the Lennon/McCartney classic “Help!” with guest vocalist Curtis Salgado and subterranean guitar coolness of “I’ve Been Watching You,” If Nothing Ever Changes simply put kicks ass. Add to that goodies like the slow, soulful “I’ve Been Watching You,” the slinky “Is That It?” and organ laced brassy “Funky Way” with a sizzling harmonica line by Rick Estrin, and you have a first class recording.

Fans shouldn’t pass up the opportunity for a listen to Mr. Walker on title track “If Nothing Ever Changes” or closing track “Hymn for Lonely Hearts” that has a bit of Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” feel-good feeling about it.

 

 

If Nothing Ever Changes is all about the music, the soul of the music and soul of the soulman.

Buy If Nothing Ever Changes in North America

Buy If Nothing Ever Changes in Europe