Local Music Tap: Wee Willie Walker CD Release @ Minnesota Music Cafe

"Nobody knows what the future holds, but if there is any justice left in the music world, the time has now come for Wee Willie Walker to stand tall as the giant of Soul Music that he truly is." - Harmonica player, songwriter and singer Rick Estrin

When experiencing the music of Wee Willie Walker, there's an old saying that comes to mind: "he's still got it!"

The longtime soul and blues man is proving it with the release of his new album, "If Nothing Ever Changes," this weekend at the Minnesota Music Cafe.

It's been said that Willie brought the sounds of Memphis with him when he moved from the Tennessee city to Minneapolis in 1960. At the time, he was a member of the gospel group, the Redemption Harmonizers. He "defected" with a fellow bandmate and has called the Twin Cities his home ever since.

Willie did travel back to Memphis at times, however, and even landed recording dates with Goldwax Records, cutting nine sides there.

Since then, Willie's voice has been featured in groups such as the Royal Jubileers, Willie & The Bees, The Valdons, Salt Pepper & Spice, We "R", the Butanes, alongside Paul Metsa, and many more Twin Cities blues and soul groups.

With his new album, the spritely 70-something shows off his mastery of the soul and blues genre. Growling while he hits those high notes to the catchy first track, "Read Between The Lines," walking his melodic lines gracefully for the uptown groove, "Is That It?", and putting his own spin on the Beatles' "Help" that only he could do.

The album was produced by Rick Estrin and engineered by Chris "Kid" Anderson at his Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California.

So, on Saturday, July 11, you can catch Wee Willie Walker celebrating the release of the CD at the Minnesota Music Café in St. Paul (where he also has a monthly residency). Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts around 9 p.m.

Tickets are $5 in advance at the Electric Fetus in Minneapolis, Barely Brothers Records, Cadenza Music, Eclipse Records, Agharta Records, Down In The Valley in Golden Valley and Vig Guitars. Tickets are $8 at the door.

Local Music Tap is a blog aimed at promoting Minnesota-based musicians, bands, shows and events. If you have music blog ideas, please email cepremo@wcco.com or leave a comment below. Also, follow Cole on Twitter.