"I was totally blown away by Winston Walls "Boss of the B-3" which he truly is, this is the De Facto standard of what the jazz organ is all about! the heart and soul as well as the spontaniety that was released on the night of this live recording will, perhaps never be duplicated again in our life time!this is a must have for any and every one serious about jazz and the Jazz Organ!"
A MUST BUY if you like blues/organ jazz
Dennis Grimm | Royal Oak, MI United States | 12/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Outstanding! I've met him and heard him live outside of Ft. Myers FL where he lives retired with his "fat wife" (ask him how fat she is ;)He has been in the Detroit MI area and plays live at a bar called "Bakers Keyboard Lounge" on LivernoisJust buy this album and love the hell out of it if you're even remotely into this music!!!"
Fabulous
Dennis Grimm | 03/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This guy blew me away with his "down home" style of playing. He's funky & raunchy & just plain moves those keys. Most jazz organists start off a song lightly and then "gets down" later into the song, but not Winston Walls. He'll count off 1-2-3-4 and just blows your socks off right away. Also on this album is jazz organist Jack McDuff. They have a battle of the organs on a few song, taking licks back & forth. This is "live" recording with super sound quality. Winston Walls also sing a few blues tunes nicely. I loved every track on this CD. I must to own for all you jazz organ lovers!"
Sadly,Winston Walls passed away at the age of 65,Boss of the
Schoolkids MI | Michigan | 02/10/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I received a call this morning from saxophonist Marshall Petty, longtime collaborator and friend of B-3 player Winston Walls, that Winston had died in his sleep last night (February 4th). Winston was 65. As sad as the news was, Marshall noted that Winston had lead a full enough life for at least two people-and that's the truth.
Son of Harry Van "The Man" Walls, the seminal pianist for Atlantic Records, Winston lived and embodied the "Chitlin Circuit"- he played jazz, blues, gospel and even country,when the the occasion warranted, gigging constantly and wowing audinces wherever he went- yet always staying under the radar.
In the last decade or so, Winston split his time between Florida, where his wife Lucille resides, and Charleston, in his home state of West Virginia. Winston spent quite a bit of time in Pittsburgh years ago where he forged his lifelong friendship with the late Jack McDuff, even fighting over whose band a young George Benson would tour with. Of course Benson went with McDuff and went on to make jazz history. Winston though, did ultimately help convince Benson's parents to let Benson tour with McDuff.
It was in Charleston that I met Winston. My longtime friend (since High School) Michael Lipton, had moved to Charleston, was playing in the Mountain Stage band and was co-owner of a small club, the Empty Glass. He became friends with Winston, brought Daniel Lanois to a Winston gig after a Mountain Stage performance-Lanois was transfixed by Winston's performance. Though nothing career-wise came of that, Michael was convinced that Winston -who had never released his own LP or CD needed to be recorded. Knowing I had just started the Schoolkids Label, he urged me in 1993 to record Winston and noted that Jack McDuff would be on board in a battle of the B-3's, a storied tradition on the circuit. Well, Michael and I co-produced the CD, recorded live in Detroit and Ann Arbor. Though perhaps a bit rough around the edges due to it's live recording and because of Winston's impromptu nature-there was no rehearsal for this recording- it's the real deal -a great example of B-3 artistry, with lots of great playing and contributions from Motown's Funk Brother, the late Pistol Allen on drums. Guitarist Chris Buzzelli (also a Schoolkids Artist) and the great Gene Cook on saxophone and flute completed the group. It's a very accurate snapshot of Winston's musical life, including a gospel medley to close out the CD, rolling thunder and all. I give it 5 stars for the playing and because it so perfectly captured a man and a style that would have sadly been lost forever, had this recording never happened.
I'm very proud we were able to capture Winston, and the experience remains cherished.
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
