For the unitiated guitarist WG'Snuffy'Walden is an extraordinarily talented musician who over the years has worn several hats.In the seventies he made is astonishing debut with chest beating rock legends Free on the awesome 'Wishing Well' when their legendary guitarist was feeling a little-ahem-under the weather.Then this Texan six string showman rocked the British shores with his power trio -Stray Dog- who were immediately signed up with supergroup Emerson,Lake & Palmers Manticore record label.Then for all intents and purposes it seemed like Walden had done a dissapearing act.Another Stray Dog album was released featuring 'Changes' which was covered by soul/funk heroes Rufus(featuring Chaka Khan) and then nothing......or so it seemed.In fact Snuffy was busy on the session circuit playing with the likes of Eric Burdon,Donna Summer an also composing music for TV hit series like 'The Wonder Years','ThirtySomething','The Stand' and more recently 'West Wing'.Those expecting the more raucous elementso Free and Stray Dog will be severely dissapointed.Snuffy seeme more focussed on the compositional side an to be honest it takes a while to appreciate the depth and beauty of his guitar work.Featuring some of the finest american session players,the fact that this has been released on the ephemeral Windham Hill label should give poential listeners an idea of where Walden is at.Well worth investigating and the nly reason I gave it four stars is because I beleive the best is yet to cme.
