Walk That Walk - Red Devil Lye (2024)

Walk That Walk is a Boston-based blues band who formed in 1992. Texas blues fans might wonder if the name was inspired by the title of the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ classic release from a year earlier, Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk but, if it was, there is no such confirmation available on the band’s website. If you’re a fan of the T-Birds’ wholly authentic, emotionally-charged blues, blues-rock and Americana, however, then you will find a lot to enjoy on Red Devil Lye, Walk That Walk’s fifth album.

The heartbeat of the band is Poppa C DeSnyder who, in addition to singing, playing guitars, slide, dobro and percussion, also produced the album, recorded and engineered it (at Big Lake Studios, Moultonborough NH, with additional recording, engineering and mixing by Roger Strauss at The Pantry, Granville VT) and wrote six of the eight songs on the album. Indeed, DeSnyder founded the band in 1992, and has served as manager, producer, front man, guitarist, and lead vocalist ever since. He is ably supported by Jimmy James Love on backing vocals, guitar on two songs and lead vocals on the closing track, a cover of Canned Heat’s “On The Road Again”. The rest of the band comprises Jon “Cutlett” Reese on bass; Stickman Waldron on harmonica; and Alan Waters on drums and percussion. Guests on the album include Pappy Biondo on banjos (and guitar on “Put A Hump In Your Back”); Ben DeSnyder on guitar on “Hard Again”; Ray Paczkowski on keyboards; and Richard Cheese Welch on drums on “Hard Again” and “Heavy Music”.

Red Devil Lye kicks off in beguiling fashion, with “The Daydream” with banjos and Dobro to the forefront and DeSnyder’s Clapton-esque vocals a particular highlight. This is raw, traditional yet modern blues. Harmony vocal lines floating over raucous acoustic instrumentation. The almost primal undercurrent continues with “Put A Hump In Your Back” as the echoey single note riffs intertwine underneath DeSnyder’s excoriating vocal and the unexpectedly complementary gospel chorus line.

Bob Seger’s “Heavy Music” is perhaps a surprising choice as a cover but the band successfully excavates the primitive rock essence of the song. “Hard Again” sees DeSnyder whip out his slide for the blues-rock riff that has hints of early-1980s Rory Gallagher about it. Meanwhile, “Shake You With This Rock’n’Roll” sounds like an outtake from a Faces session in the 1970s, with great organ work from Paczkowski. “You Don’t Love Me” adopts a Delta-style, acoustic finger-picked approach for the first verse before the drums stagger in to provide excellent drive. The driving, upbeat rock’n’roll of “She Says She Can Do Better” has a smart lyric and benefits from Biondo’s subtle banjo.

Walk That Walk produce a wild, highly enjoyable noise. They are clearly top drawer musicians and DeSnyder writes taut and intelligent blues songs, but there is also an abandon and rock’n’roll edge to this band that sets them apart. No doubt they must be irresistible live. In the meantime, go grab a copy of Red Devil Lye. It’s an absolute belter.