While much of Walter Jackson's music was on the pop side of soul (including this cut), his voice has so much depth and power that it puts him into a class of his own.
Born in Florida, his family moved to Michigan when he was a child in the early '40's. Walter was stricken with polio as a child which left him unable to walk without crutches.
As a member of a group called the Velvetones, Walter was discovered by legendary Chicago (Okeh Records) A&R man/ producer Carl Davis who signed him to Okeh, where he had a nice run of hit singles. Jackson recorded up until his death in 1983 of a brain hemorrhage (on the same day his final 45 was released).
The melodica heard playing the haunting melody on the intro just gets me every time; what a lovely song.
from 1966...
WALTER JACKSON - IT'S AN UPHILL CLIMB TO THE BOTTOM
2 comments:
I just love that smooth deep soul voice of his. Gets to me like Otis Clay, Ben E. King, Chuck Jackson and of course my all time fav Brother Solomon RIP. Thanks D,
KJR
Would you happen to have a copy of his later version of 'At Last?' Great vocal with a killer bass tag, but I can't find it anywhere. On Columbia, I think...Great work, you really fill in gaps in my collection.
Post a Comment