Matty T Wall

Transpacific Blues, Vol#1     

Hipsterdumpster Records

Matty T Wall is an Australian guitarist who has played flamenco, swing jazz and funk. After listening to Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan he worked backwards. Wall remembers “I discovered Robert Johnson and he made the hair on the back of my neck stand up, I got into the blues and have never gotten out of it.” It’s a story we’ve heard before as the sound and emotions inherit in the blues crosses oceans to ignite the imagination of young musicians everywhere.

Wall is a blues rock guitarist who released his debut album “Blue Skies” in 2016. Two years later he followed up with the well-received “Sidewinder”. For this new album Wall has chosen some specially selected songs to cover. He drives the beat punctuating his guitar lines by stretching the notes; something he learned by listening to the masters. Wall also likes to use his voice as an additional instrument.

The Matty T. Wall Band features the guitarist/vocalist with the rhythm section of Stephen Walker, bass; and Ric Whittle, drums. Bassist Walker completed his studies at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts where he studied Jazz, and he played in several award winning R’ n B cover bands. Whittle has extensive experience playing with rock bands and in The Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, and Munich Symphony Orchestra.

Wall has invited along some special guest guitarists. The recording opens with John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” first recorded on 1992; as Wall trades licks with fellow Australian Dave Hole. Tommy Tucker’s 1964 “Hi Heel Sneakers” features Eric Gales the 2019, Blues Music Award winning, “Blues Rock Artist of the Year”.

“She’s into Something” written by Carl Wright was recorded by Muddy Waters in 1959; Wall is joined by the three time BMA winning Water Trout. “Quicksand” features thirteen time BMA nominated Kid Ramos on guitar. “Born Under a Bad Sign” composed by Booker T. Jones and William Bell was recorded by Albert King in 1967; the guest guitarist is Kirk Fletcher, a five time BMA nominee.

“Stormy Monday” is from Aaron Thibeaux Walker a.k.a. T-Bone Walker; and recorded by Bobby “Blue” Bland in 1961. The song was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s “Blues hall of Fame” in 1983. “I’m Tore Down” written by pianist Sonny Thompson was first recorded in 1961 by Freddie King. “Crossroads” is the Robert Johnson classic recorded in 1936. On these the only guitarist is Wall. Throughout the recording it’s his clear and expressive voice that we get to hear.

These covers are wonderfully performed and exciting to listen to; which is a testament to the talented Wall. He should be around for a long while.

Richard Ludmerer