Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Charles Wigg Walker - Still Finding My Way (2007) - Deep Down - Rare Soul (FLAC 400MB)

A singer better known as Little Charles in his younger days (with the Sidewinders)..Outside of the southern states still virtually unknown except to the soul fraternity......Charles Walker was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1940. Charles or “Wigg,” as he is known by his friends (his mother nicknamed him when he was born with a full head of hair), began singing at an early age in church and school. He cut his first record in 1959 for Ted Jarrett’s legendary Champion label. One cut, “Slave To Love,” was credited to Charles Walker and the Daffodils. In fact, there was no such group as the Daffodils. The backup singers on the record were label mates the Kinglets and Larry Birdsong. In 1960, Charles moved to New York City where studios and nightclub work were plentiful. 1962 found Charles recording with Chess Records out of Chicago, and soon he signed on as lead singer with the J.C. Davis Band. This band began touring the country opening for the greats of the era including James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, Little Willie John, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke. The J.C. Davis Band recorded some real barnstormers for Chess like “Sweet Sweet Love” and “The Chicken Scratch.” In 1964, Charles formed his own group, Little Charles and the Sidewinders. They became one of the most in demand soul bands in New York City’s nightclub scene, performing at the Apollo Theater, Small’s Paradise and venturing out to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. They subsequently recorded for Chess and Decca labels. The Sidewinders stayed together through the 60’s, and in 1969 Charles cut some sides for Botanic Records. The Sidewinders reformed in 1973 and worked as a show band in hotels, nightclubs, and casinos without the benefit of a recording contract. In 1979, Charles signed on with Motown as a staff writer. Early in the 80’s, Charles recorded in England and re-issued many of the Sidewinders classic sides. Realizing that there was a market for soul music in the U.K., he formed his own label P.R.G. and released the single “See Me” in Europe. Charles spent most of the 1980’s in England and Spain and worked steadily and recorded occasionally, but this wasn’t enough. In 1993, he moved back to Nashville to do some serious recording, since Nashville’s blues and R&B scene was really booming. His solo releases include “I’m Available,” “Leavin’ This Old Town,” “In the House” (live with Johnny Jones) and “Soul Stirring Thing.” He also released an album on the U.K. label Zane records called “Number By Heart” in 2003. Charles most recently was the featured singer for a band called “The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker”, and three records were released since June of 2007 on Outtasight Records. The band toured frequently in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. Charles currently resides in Nashville with his wife, and frequently performs with his new group. Charles is one of the few remaining original soul singers from back in the day when old school R&B/soul was brand new on the music scene. There has recently been a resurgence of this style of music, and it is finding a younger audience while rekindling memories for the old school crowd. Wigg is still delivering this style of music at a very high level, and his experience and maturity in the field of soul music gives him a perspective that is unmatched. .With 9 studio albums & a dozen 45,s charles has left his mark...Southern Soul at its best!

AMM

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                                                                                                            The Tasters!




23 comments:

Anton said...

And You Did It Again!
Thanks For Another Well Deserved Review !

ELtel said...

Why does this bloke need a wig? he's got hair lol.
cheers,ELtel

Lordchester said...

Stunning Southern soul at it's best ! Thanks AMM

PeterH said...

Let him show us the way ... Thanks for review, P.

Big Dave said...

Southern Soul, Northern Soul, and everything in between... soul is king!
Many thanks AMM.

BigD

bigcravings said...

Great

USMAN47 said...

Another one of those unknown CDs by an artist better known as Little Charles and The Sidewinders.

Thank you AMM for this discovery.

Yves

gmortars said...

I'm happy to be here more than you'll ever know!
Thanks, AMM!

trinity said...

thank you - another greatt review mate

clash said...

Please and thank you!

richsoul said...

Thank you for a great review. Thank you AMM. Keep those reviews coming. thank you.

Anghellic67$ said...

Thank you very much AMM,I Appreciate These Great Comps

RMstorm said...

Thanks AMM. Nice details in the story posted!

Little Bill said...

Another great one, so grateful AMM for today's posts

reb.jukebox said...

nice review AMM cheers

soultime said...

New to me , tasters sound great . I cant wait to hear it in full .

Rush said...

Thanks for the review AMM its new to me

Bill Pritchard said...

Samples are my kind of thing.

Moe said...

Nice review thanks

Ray said...

Thank you AMM for this review

PhilN said...

Great review and great album.

pedro B said...

I have listen to this one I its a must say it is got that early days feel when Soul was Soul, great review and thanks AMM for this one.

Cheers Pedro

imnokid said...

Yes please.