Regular Columnists

Artist: Band: The Sam Marshall Trio
Album: Floorwalker
Website: http://www.myspace.com/sammarshallroots
Genre: Blues/Roots Rock
Technical Grade: 8.5/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10
Best Songs: Waitin' For A Train, Tell All My Friends And Brothers
CD Review:

Floorwalker is the debut album from The Sam Marshall Trio, an acoustic blues band from Seattle. Sam Marshall toured as a solo blues artist before bringing in upright bassist, Bennett Kling, and drummer, Colin Adresen to form The Sam Marshall Trio. Marshall adds his smoky vocal to acoustic, slide, and lap slide guitars.

Floorwalker features Marshall’s guitar playing backed by a solid rhythm section on songs that range from straight up blues to near jazz. The band’s raw, sparse sound is complemented by Marshall’s weathered vocal and silky, funky guitar.Floorwalker, the title cut, features a driving beat and Marshall’s growling vocal. Valley Tune is a funky groove while Waiting For A Train is a softer ballad that highlights Marshall’s work on slide guitar.

Floorwalker is a solid effort from The Sam Marshall Trio. It should appeal to the blues lover as well as those who love the sound of well played guitar.