WALKER, Sammy Sammy Walker - Blue Ridge Mountain Skyline (2-CD)

(Morello Records) 21 tracks

The double CD set contains two albums by the underrated singer-songwriter. Sammy Walker's mentor Phil Ochs wrote in 1975: “Sammy Walker is the best songwriter and singer I have come across in the last twelve years. I'm sure he has a great future ahead of him.” These are the two albums recorded for Warner Brothers in 1976 and 1977. The self-titled album, consisting entirely of Sammy's own material and considered by many to be his best release, is very Dylan-like. The second album, Blue Ridge Mountain Skyline, contains songs written by Walker, with the exception of “Waitin' for a Train” (Jimmie Rodgers) and “Dust Storm Disaster” (Woody Guthrie). Both albums were recorded in Hollywood with producer Nik Venet, who had previously worked with Linda Ronstadt and John Stewart.