Joe Louis Walker, a celebrated Blues Hall of Famer, announces the release of his new album, Cold Is The Night: Reimagined, available today on Bluesifyin Productions/Sledgehammer Blues (a label of Valley Entertainment). This latest project revisits the groundbreaking tracks from Walker’s 1986 debut, Cold Is The Night, infusing them with fresh energy and nearly forty years of added artistry. Originally produced by Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker, the original release positioned Walker as a major talent in modern blues; now, Cold Is The Night: Reimagined offers a reintroduction to these timeless songs for a new generation of listeners.
Reflecting on the journey behind these re-recordings, Walker emphasizes the foundational role that Cold Is The Night played in his storied career. Although firmly rooted in the blues tradition, the album draws upon his gospel upbringing and the rock influences of San Francisco’s vibrant music scene. By revisiting this essential material, Walker hopes to bring renewed attention to the spirit and soul that ignited his career in the mid-1980s.
The first single from Cold Is The Night: Reimagined, “One Woman,” features fellow blues artist Eliza Neals. Accompanied by a dynamic official music video, the track showcases Walker’s impassioned approach to classic blues and offers a preview of the recharged sound he delivers throughout the album. Fans can listen to Cold Is The Night: Reimagined by visiting https://lnk.to/ColdistheNightReimagined and watch the video for “One Woman” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jupnH3QOkgQ.
Hailed by NPR as “a legendary boundary-pushing icon of modern blues,” Walker is known for his prolific output—over 30 albums—and for collaborating with an impressive roster of fellow musicians, including B.B. King, James Cotton, Taj Mahal, Otis Rush, Steve Cropper, Branford Marsalis, and Duke Robillard. His work on B.B. King’s Grammy-winning Blues Summit and James Cotton’s Grammy-winning Deep in the Blues further established his stature, while his 2015 release, Everyone Wants a Piece, was recognized as a Grammy finalist. Throughout his extensive career, Walker has shared the stage with luminaries such as Steve Miller, Charlie Musselwhite, Nick Lowe, John Mayall, Buddy Miles, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix.
To celebrate the release of Cold Is The Night: Reimagined, Walker will tour the United States and the United Kingdom this spring and summer, delivering electrifying live shows that bridge his 1986 breakthrough and his current 2025 reinvention. Confirmed tour dates include April 5 at Towne Crier Cafe in Beacon, NY, and extend through August 31 at the Rhythm & Roots Festival in Charlestown, RI. Along the way, Walker and his seasoned band will perform highlights from both the original album and his diverse catalog, illustrating how the blues continue to evolve and captivate across generations.
In addition to his touring schedule, Walker has spent more than two decades hosting the Mustique Blues Festival, which benefits the Basil Charles Educational Foundation. This annual event supports educational opportunities for children in Mustique, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines, and features a lineup of premier blues musicians who join Walker for multiple nights of world-class performances.
