If you love raw, authentic Texas blues-rock, Van Wilks needs to be on your radar. For over three decades, the legendary guitarist, songwriter, and performer has been tearing up stages with his signature expressive guitar work and explosive live energy.
Born in Galveston and raised near Buddy Holly’s hometown of Lubbock, Wilks grew up immersed in the fertile musical landscape that helped define electric blues guitar. Echoes of pioneering Texas players such as T-bone walker run through his playing, fused with swampy blues textures, rhythmic invention and explosive blues rock dynamics.
To celebrate his longevity a career spanning retrospective vinyl only release, ‘Low Down, Wound Up, Rockin’ Texas Blues’ is now available for a limited time.
‘Low Down, Wound Up, Rockin’ Texas Blues’ is a real treat for fans of the blues, especially the edgier sound of Johnny Winter, ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Across all tracks Wilks generates a dynamic wall of sound from opener ‘Drive By Lover’ all the way through to the brooding ‘Midnight Crossing’.
Along the way his guitar work ranges from the hypnotic blues on ‘Stone Cold Day’ to the subtle picking on ‘Just Walk Away’, which in places is reminiscent of the late Gary Moore. The acoustic opening and scratched vinyl effect on ‘There’s a Sin in There Somewhere’ evokes thoughts of Robert Johnson at the Crossroads while the incoming crescendo of electric guitars and thundering beat are worthy of the devil himself.
More than just a career retrospective, ‘Low Down, Wound Up, Rockin’ Texas Blues’ is a tribute to an exceptional musician and songwriter, who’s love for the blues has clearly re-invigorated the genre for a modern audience.