Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk play low down, down home, juke joint blues. Barely seven months after the release of the debut (self-titled) album, Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk return with Shakedown, their second swinging expedition deep into the hypnotic boogie of Northern Mississippi juke joints.
Cementing their reputation as the hardest working blues combo in the country, 2013 has already seen Chicken Walk receive the famed golden boot at Golden Plains, tour the nation twice with Tony Joe White and Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes, as well as share stages with everyone from Jimmy Cliff to Santana to Gary Clark Jr.
Somehow amongst all of this, the irrepressible combo found time to write and record album number two. Whereas the first album was famously built on the foundation of a mere handful of shows, Shakedown sees a road-matured Chicken Walk displaying a newfound focus and heartworn confidence, propelled by the extramural themes of shining sun, pouring rain, rivers, roads and trains.
Effortlessly charged, Shakedown finds Chicken Walk delivering a richer, fuller sound and more exploratory songwriting. The hard-luck baladeering of ‘Someday My Sun Gonna Shine’ provides a tender counterpoint to the driving, elemental crowd favourites ‘(Somebody Call The) Po’Po’’ and ‘Bad Motherfucker’, whilst still displaying all the charm and wit synonymous with a CChicken Walk live show.
Each song was recorded in only two takes; all live, honest and shimmering with the personality of the players. Chris’ swagger and (recently departed drummer) Dean’s sense of style delivering the one-two punch as natural and unforced as the land around them. Or in Chris’ words ‘real, living music’.
Listen back to City Slang with Kim for a live set from Chris Russell's Chicken Walk.
