Bahamian Guitarist: Good Morning Mr. Walker

Joseph Spence | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 1, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arhoolie Records
• ASIN: B0000001HN
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,627 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Bahamas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mad stuff, February 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bahamian Guitarist: Good Morning Mr. Walker (Audio CD)

i used to work in tower records in london and this was a saturday morning favourite to help nurse away the hangovers. the music is absolutely insane, it has no equal. old joseph spence, god bless him, was like sun ra with an acoustic guitar. even the grouchiest coustomers would leave with a wild gleeful smile on their faces.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic!!, May 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bahamian Guitarist: Good Morning Mr. Walker (Audio CD)

If you play the guitar or if you just appreciate great musicianship then this is an album to get. Joe Spence inspired many through the 60's and 70's...but no-one has yet to match his style or brilliance. Buy it and be amazed.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I'm into it, when the mood strikes, November 21, 2004

By 

Pharoah S. Wail (Inner Space) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bahamian Guitarist: Good Morning Mr. Walker (Audio CD)

After mentioning Spence in a review the other day, I decided I may as well review some of his own stuff, too. One of the things this disc has over the original Smithsonian/Folkways disc is the length. Spence hadn't really lost anything in the time between, but this disc is twice as long. It's more bang for your buck.

While I quite enjoy him when I am in the mood for him, he's an acquired taste, I would imagine. Even though I just said this disc is longer and more bang for your buck, I rarely ever listen to the whole thing through at one time. It's not his guitar playing, but yes for me, after 15 straight songs of his dribbling and gurgling and slurring and almost coughing his way through grunts that replace 85% of the lyrics to the songs he plays, I've usually had enough.

He was at times very entertaining, but that was as far as it went. What I mean is, he didn't have a large emotional range. He isn't going to make you laugh in one song and cry the next. I think of Spence as a court-jester (of and for the people, though) who happens to be a finger-picking master. Deep emotional impact is not his thing. He has alot of fun, and you will have fun, but don't expect any spiritual revelations while listening to his music.

Also, you Deadheads will probably get a kick out of his buoyant version of Bid You Goodnight.