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| Walker Caine's Comeback Walker Caine has officially returned to the studios at MLA Records to begin work on an early 2007 release. Capt. Walker's disappearance after an accident-prone 2006 solo tour has left many fans and industry insiders guessing as to whether or not he would be returning to studio or stage. "I was rather wondering about that too", stated Walker with a smile. "I was taking some time to spend with the family and getting my back healed up and in shape after that disc fracture. Mentally I felt I had every intention of retiring again. Even though I really love doing it, the road does take a lot out of you. Well, then this creative rush came along, grabbed my heart and made me set up a new studio - in my garage of all places - so I could capture some of those wandering insights and motivations. Not to mention hearing from the fans... I know I have to keep going. The road just never ends." These occasional stops at MLA Music are keeping the follow up to the 2005 ground-breaking release Soft Shoulder well underway; and, like before, the rock gods of the past are popping in and out of Walkers life pushing him on to do something new and creative. Still, as we saw with Soft Shoulder, Walker doesn't stop to ask if it sounds commercial or not, but judging from the letters that keep coming in, it doesn't seem to put off anyone: "You should play here in Germany I think you like it...", "...so when are you coming back to Illinois?", "Im a big fan of yours ... coming to Norway soon or what??", "...just get to Georgia, we'll open for you and give you a place to stay", "I was afraid of that biker guy who stopped to help us with my car, but there he was on stage that night! That was sooo cool! ...a day I'll remember all my life...", "I was the one who didn't want you to join us at the park here (Mt. View); but after hearing your songs I had to find out who you were. You're right, you're not much of a musician, but you managed to impress me. I'll bet you are one hell of a performer. You're welcome here any time", "...you're hot and your music is sexy ... Texas needs you Walker!!", "...a great show all by yourself! We had never heard you before and really wanted to meet you, but there must have been 3 thousand people ... you just have to come back to Tennessee really soon!!!", "I'm a big fan ... two words to remember - North Carolina" "I get a kick out of most letters I get. I may prefer to play to a large audience, but the individuals who make up that audience are very important to me and I'm often amazed at what they have to say. Soft Shoulder did much better than I expected it to. I tried something new and different as my own personal project and expected everyone else to stash it away in the archive of 'what the hell was that?'. People really responded though and the entire ordeal seems to have taken me to a whole new place creatively. This next CD is going to expand on that into even more directions. I seem to be heading back to my earlier works - simple and strong and a little closer to my past vocal styles. Any acoustic stuff will be limited and pointed instead of blended like I did with Soft Shoulder. Although lyrically I seem to keep jumping into social and political undertones, musically I'm delving into other avenues showing some respect to the likes of Tesla, Evanescence, Green Day, Rob Zombie and others. But true to my roots you're also going to hear some electric blues and Led Zepplin-ish takes. I'm also considering a remake of 'In the Rain'; it's a great song and I don't feel that last recording did it nearly the justice it deserved. There are still a lot of places I really want to go musically. I think most people have now come to expect me to be a bit eccentric and break the rules a little giving them something to think about. Hey, for the first time in my life I even broke down and actually wrote an anthem! To tell ya the truth, I'm hoping it'll piss-off a few people - that's Rock n Roll! But I'm taking my time and making sure the sound is right this time and not let people stress me into rushing, I really want you guys to hear what I'm hearing." Despite his commitment to a new album on MLA Records, Capt. Walker's other projects have been keeping him busy producing and writing, and has been recently distracted composing and directing film soundtracks. As for live performances, the 2007 tour is in the planning stages, and like so many others, Walker has generally boycotted Arizona. Nevertheless you might still catch him at community benefits and bike runs, because some things are just, well, Walker Caine. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |