Walter Parks, has been a contender on the guitar for the past three decades. He has regaled international crowds as the lead guitarist for Woodstock-famed Richie Havens, as half of the folk-duo The Nudes and also as the leader of swamp blues band Swamp Cabbage. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida he has settled in Savannah, Georgia. Parks has 6 previous albums under his belt and with his self-titled solo album weighing in at a strong number 7. Released in October 2011 by Wildflower Records, this album is exactly that. A well put-together solo album from a bluesy rock conquistador. His raspy baritone (not unlike a watered-down Waits-style groan) is balanced perfectly by his pristine falsetto (check “Heed the Call”). These swoon over his mature guitar playing that lays the groundwork for this album.
Parks shows his deep knowledge and range throughout this album. In “Vestibule” he plucks along about sun, travel and waiting in an Eddie Vedder affinity (circa the Into the Wild soundtrack). But out of left-field the drums slows the tempo and Parks trills in a sexy, seductive Prince-like ballad on “So Bad So Good”. Just when you think you’ve got the idea right about this album, Parks pulls out an Americana twang on the aptly-named “New Mexico”. And finally, showcasing his talent Parks lets the music speak for itself in the first and last songs, wrapping up the album in two beautiful instrumentals “Epiphany” and “Requiem”.
If his credentials doesn’t prove it, then this solo album will attest to Walter Parks talent and strength as an under the radar rock warrior.
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