Walter Jackson

Walter Jackson was a singer's singer. If a poll had been conducted among his R&B contemporaries, Jackson would have scored high in the Best Male Vocalist catalog. God blessed Jackson with a warm, rich, husky baritone. Extremely positive and determined, Jackson should be a model for all; not even wheelchair-confining polio could stop him from pursuing a singing career. Unlike Teddy Pendergrass, who was successful before an accident kept him wheelchair-bound, Walter lived much of his life physically crippled. He recorded mostly R&B tunes, but privately preferred doing middle-of-the-road titles. "Tear For a Tear" was a minor R&B hit for Gene Chandler; Walter's version of the R&B payback song is jazzy and light with a swing beat. "Corner of the Sky" and "Funny (Not Much)" are straight easy listening and should be enjoyable to those who like that genre. Producer Carl Davis was able to get Walter to cut some harder stuff like "After You There Can Be Nothing" and "Speak Her Name." "Lee Cross" probably received more plays in inner city bars then in homes; if you played three jukebox selections, "Cross" was one of them. Though Jackson gives a good reading about a stud whose love prowess gave him control and influence over women, he gives the song too much dignity; somebody like Wilson Pickett would have put "Cross" in its proper perspective and sold a few more copies to boot. He does the best version I've ever heard of Curtis Mayfield's "It's All Over Now," making you feel and contemplate every word. The touching "Welcome Home" is arguably one of Jackson's best ballads. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide