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Mel Walker was an R&B singer, born in Texas in 1928, and a schoolmate of pianist Floyd Dixon, who came to the fore after being discovered by singer, bandleader, composer and producer Johnnie Otis in 1949 – Otis was a legendarily influential mover and shaker in the R&B world during that era. Most of Walker’s success came as a result of his association with Otis, sometimes recording with another of Otis’ protegйs Little Esther Phillips. His style was smooth and heavily blues-influenced. He did not record prolifically, and this 43-track 2-CD collection comprises singles with the band of Johnny Otis, plus duets with Little Esther and solo releases on the Savoy, Regent and Mercury labels during this era, along with titles recorded for Savoy and Mercury which were not released at the time. It features the R&B No. 1s “Mistrustin’ Blues” and “Cupid Boogie”, the R&B No. 2s “Rockin’ Blues” and “Gee Baby”, and the R&B Top 10 hits “Wedding Boogie”, “Far Away Blues”, “Cry Baby” and “Call Operator”. His career was curtailed by his arrest on narcotics charges, and he never made it back into the big time, dying prematurely at the age of 36 from an apparent drug overdose. He was a stylish and underestimated performer, and this collection offers an enlightening insight into his all-too brief career.
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