Despite its ties to the Grateful Dead world, 7 Walkers’s debut is a New Orleans classic, thematically professing an unconditional love for the tortured soul of the Crescent City. 7 Walkers is informed by the time-honored sounds of the backcountry swamp featuring Papa Mali, Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, Meters bassist George Porter Jr., harmonica ace Matt Hubbard and others. It is refreshing to hear such talented artists content with assembling subtly deviating lines and simple melodies. However, these vets are also willing to move into the unknown on tracks like “Chingo,” the balladeering “Evangeline” and “Louisiana Rain.” Beautiful instrumentals, like the offbeat “For the Love of Mr. Okra,” could have easily been beamed down from a group of veteran jazz players jamming down on Frenchman Street. Those looking for an infectious staple should look no further than “New Orleans Crawl.” And make sure to check out the excellent guest spot by Willie Nelson on “King Cotton Blues.”
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