Sketch for the Day #2
Robert Walter, seen here performing with the Greyboy Allstars at the now-defunct Starr Hill Music Hall in Charlottesville, Va. Robert heads and participates in a number of different acts from the Allstars to the Stanton Moore Trio, Mike Clark’s Prescription Trio, the Fantastic Four (which features Adam Deitch and Erik Krasno of Soulive), the Steve Kimock Band and the Headhunters to his own Robert Walter’s 20th Congress. He has also put out a CD under a similarly governmentally-influenced name, the Clinton Administration whose album “One Nation Under a Re-Groove” brings new life and an interesting new take to the music of Sly and the Family Stone.
He often shares the stage with such New Orleans greats as drummer Johnny Vidacovich and bassist James Singleton. Singleton and Vidacovich are one half of the Astral Project, an excellent jazz, funk and fusion act that we will discuss more at a later date.
The 20th Congress performing a late night set at Revolution during the Langerado Music Festival in 2005
Robert’s typical touring setup includes a Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes Piano and Hohner Clavinet. The organ is typically a B-3 or a C-3 that has been modified to allow for significantly easier transportation. This is played through a Leslie rotating speaker for the much sought after vintage tone. With the distortion cranked, he pulls from the machine a full, dark and crunchy tone that can really drive the music. The Rhodes and Clavinet both offer great additions to any of his acts, but it is customary for him to lean more on the organ in 20th Congress and Greyboy Allstars performances. He will occasionally apply further effects to the pianos, such as a delay or phaser on the Rhodes or a wah pedal on the Clavinet to offer up a wider varety of tones and textures.
Though not native to that area, he has lived in and out of New Orleans for many years, and seems to consider it home. He and his instrument collection made it through Hurricane Katrina, and he can be seen performing in intimate clubs such as Tipitina’s and the Maple Leaf often on random weeknights, kicking out towering jams for small, appreciative crowds.
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