The latest release from New Orleans blues, funk, and R&B legend Walter “Wolfman” Washington is a major departure from his previous work both live and on records. My Future is My Past finds the guitarist and vocalist performing in a mostly solo setting and collaborating with the understated presence of some of the city’s finest musicians. He will debut the material and celebrate the release of the album, scheduled nationally for April 20, on Saturday night at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro.
For fans of Washington, especially those who relish his light touch on the guitar and emotive vocals on the slower, bluesy songs in his repertoire, this album is a chance to hear what he might sound like if you happened to stumble into his living room while he was working on new arrangements or new tunes. This is not the funky, horn-driven sound fans have loved for decades; it’s an intimate portrait of an artist at the peak of his powers working in an unfamiliar, yet entirely comfortable setting.
Early in his career, Washington provided musical support for one of the greatest balladeers to ever play the blues—the late Johnny Adams. As his guitarist and bandleader Washington never sang with Adams, but he clearly soaked up the great singer’s intonation and phrasing. Evidence of his influence is all over this album.
Ben Ellman, the saxophonist and harmonica player from the nouveau funk band Galactic, produced My Future is My Past. Ellman has developed into a formidable presence as a producer and his work brings out every nuance in Washington’s vocals and guitar work, as well as the minimalistic accompaniment from players like bassist James Singleton, drummer Stanton Moore, and keyboardist David Torkanowsky. The trio, who perform regularly together under Moore’s name, will be backing Washington on Saturday night as he presents the songs on the album for the first time to the public.
For fans of the multiple genres Washington inhabits, many of the tunes will be familiar, particularly Percy Mayfield’s “Lost Mind,” Allen Toussaint’s “Cried My Last Tear,” (published under his pseudonym Naomi Neville), and Jimmy Hughes’ “Steal Away.” The later is also regularly featured as a part of Washington’s usual repertoire.
The highlight of the album though is his duet with Irma Thomas, his old friend and musical compatriot from back in the day, on David Egan’s “Even Now.” The two vocalists positively inhabit the song’s former lovers complete with their complaints, misgivings, and questions of retribution. When Thomas sings, “But I’m wishing you only the best, yes, I guess,” you hear a curt “hmm” as acceptance before she returns with, “we’re even now.”
Washington’s verse follows—“You know, passion, suspicion, we took them all, all too far.” He moans, “all the wrong decisions….” She replies, “You say there’s no use trying…we’re even now.” It’s a tour-de-force for the two veterans and when they sing the chorus in unison, “Yes, I guess, we’re even now,” it’s a goosebump moment. You can listen to it below.
I have seen Walter “Wolfman” Washington literally hundreds of times over thirty plus years. I knew this unique album was coming before I heard it. But even after countless late nights, slow dances, bluesy refrains, and guitar/vocal pointillist interplay, it’s so much better than I could have ever imagined. I can’t wait to hear it live.
Show times at Snug Harbor are 8 and 10 PM.
PHOTO: GREG MILES
