Uptown Magazine

With half dozen or so fine albums already under his belt, transplanted Yank bluesman and actor Jim Byrnes returns with the solid My Walking Stick. The former Wiseguy and Highlander dude has a knack for the authentic feel, and with the help of the near-legendary Canuck musical team of Jesse Zubot and Steve Dawson playing and producing, this baker's dozen tracks really shines. Byrnes takes the organic approach here - any sheen has been rubbed raw with particular attention paid to giving every instrument room to breathe and make a singular statement. Toss in the gorgeously soulful backing vocals of The Sojourners on a few of the songs and this one hits the win column full force.