Keith Jarrett, Daniel Lanois, Bruce Cockburn, JS Bach, Salif Keita, Beatles, Christopher Parkening, Mamadou Diabate, Peter Gabriel, Donovan, Stevie Wonder, CSNY, Franz Schubert, Alex DeGrassi, Beethoven, Ry Cooder, Steely Dan, Ba Sissoko, Joni Mitchell, Robert Johnson, Foday Musa Sosa, Cesaria Evora, and countless others.
Blame it on Rawlins, Wyoming. Fingerstyle guitar wizard Walter Strauss was born out there in the big open, and was seduced to look to the vast spaces of the American West for his musical inspiration. But while rooted in American folk forms, Walter's music evokes far reaches of the globe as well. He's worked with musicians from West Africa to Australia and Finland, and successfully weaves world beat, Americana, and jazz into a brand uniquely his own.
Walter Strauss digs deep grooves for his audiences - he layers highly articulated melodies and harmonies, rhythms and counter-rhythms in a way that gives the impression he is playing several instruments at once. His voice is smokey and intimate, and captivates the listener with a dastardly charm whether he's singing a lusty proposition or an existential lament.
Before embarking on his solo career, Walter performed for more than 15 years as an ensemble musician at concert venues, theaters and festivals throughout the United States, Canada and Ireland. He toured extensively with Rounder Records' eclectic folksters The Burns Sisters Band and performed alongside numerous first-rate musicians, such as fiddle legend Vassar Clements and Celtic guitar wizard Martin Simpson. Of late, Walter has been performing solo and with The Walter Strauss Trio – with bassist Sam Bevan (David Grisman, Joe Craven) and drummer/percussionist Kendrick Freeman (Alison Brown, Rob Ickes). For several years, Walter has also engaged in unique crosscultural collaborations, touring periodically in a duo with Malian kora virtuoso / 2005 Grammy nominee Mamadou Diabate, and with Malian kamal'ngoni master Mamadou Sidibe.
In the words of reviewer Patti Witten (FAME), Walter's first solo CD "Pulling Shadows" is "a soulful journey of stellar guitar playing and songs suffused with tenderness and wit. Walter Strauss has the scope and musicianship to express himself in multiple genres... in a fresh way, without cliché or repetition." Legendary British broadcaster Bob Harris gives the CD a big thumbs up... "What a lovely album it is!" On the disc, as in live performance, he weaves together a cohesive quilt of musical styles and somehow renders each more 3-D, more psychedelic. Walter colors outside the lines.
hey whats up? thanks for the friendship! We just put up an acoustic crowd favorite, "Ginseng" (first recording we captured at the spur of the moment)> Let us know what you think! :)
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Ciao,Walter Strauss Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather a lot! you are a great really... I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal
Ciao,Walter Strauss Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather a lot! you are a great really... I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal
Welcome to “DM Country”, the official home of the "DM Tongue Twister". Here's a "DM" tongue tangling tambourine jangling double fisting mind twisting riddle to kick off your week and help you keep a grin above your chin all week long. Have a Tornado swirling Fly caught in a hurricane whirling Hope I make it out alive hurling Thank God I’ve landed back on my feet twirling Tuesday!!! If you want some real life laughs, some peek a boo bear fun, then stop by and visit my "DM Double Fisted Fast" blogs that I will be posting here in "DM Country" every day.
Hi Walter hope you're doing great...was really nice meeting you last week, thanks again for a great show...hope ya come back again sometime....cheers Rich
Hi Walter, Hope you and your guitar got home safe and in one piece from your wee European tour. We really enjoyed having you here. I see your off on another tour……at least it’s a bit closer to home than here in Ireland. XXX
G'day Walter, just wanted to convey how a stunning musician you are. These days there are allot of well recognized muso's out there who (to me) are easily identifiable to the source (Hedges, Preston Reed etc) Even though you somewhat draw from that same well, your guitar style and composition skills make you different from the rest - You are unique and deserve the recognition. Best on your journey.
