Review Text
Walker displays three characteristics of all successful guitarists: He plays with feeling, has the rare ability to write an infectious melody, and backs them both up with his superb playing.' -Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine .......................................................... An arm injury and John Elway ultimately ended Ralph Walker's collegiate baseball aspirations, leaving him to his acoustic guitar. Passion soon became obsession when he was introduced to Alex de Grassi's Slow Circle album. While vocalists Randy Stonehill, Bob Bennett and James Taylor served as valuable influences, it was the mastery exhibited by de Grassi - the ability to play in upper, middle and low voices such that it sounded like multiple guitars - that drove Walker to wholeheartedly pursue it as a solo instrument. Walker was fortunate enough to find de Grassi at a point where he was willing to give a few lessons per year. Meanwhile he met the late Michael Hedges and jazz virtuoso Tuck Andress who were playing frequently at the New Varsity Theater in Palo Alto - a venue that, in hindsight, was a sort of Fillmore of acoustic guitar. Walker began taking lessons from Hedges before the release of his debut album on Windham Hill, Breakfast in the Field, some of which took place in the guitar legend's VW van. He later studied theory and technique from Andress. These fortunate glimpses into a Pantheon of modern acoustic musicians have helped Walker move towards proficiency in developing a personal voice on the guitar. His debut album, Waiting For You, produced by Grammy nominated de Grassi, has won the respect of a handful of critics, radio listeners, and thousands upon thousands of elevator riders worldwide. Walker lives in Redding, California.
