09/07/2024
After Jerry Jeff Walker died, his wife Susan was quoted, ... “At one time, many of us thought we would live forever. At least we acted like it. But not one of us ever thought Jerry Jeff would.” If his son, Django, has anything to say about it, his memory and his spirit are not only alive and well, but destined to endure.
Last night, Django Walker brought the last band to tour with his father to The University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab, and performed a tribute show of some of his dad's greatest songs. Spearheaded by Chris Gage (lead guitar, vocal harmonies & piano), with Steve Samuel (bass & vocal harmonies), and Brad Fordham (drums) this incredible ensemble (with Django singing his father's lead vocals) romped through a 90 minute set of some of Walker’s most iconic songs, that included "Gettin' By on Gettin' By," "The Pickup Truck Song," "Navajo Rug," "Jaded Lover," "Mr. Bojangles," “L.A. Freeway,” “Sangria Wine,” “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother,” “London Homesick Blues,” “Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance” and "Pi**in' in the Wind." Django also mixed in some of his own songs he personally had written, or had done as a duet with his dad, such as, "Texas on My Mind," "The Cape," "Somethin' 'Bout a Boat" (recorded by Jimmy Buffett & JJW) and a special tribute (written and performed personally before his father passed away) "My Hero."
During the entire concert, and especially during the encore as we all recognized the magic was about to end, there was a palpable sense of tension release and celebration, both in the audience and certainly on the stage. Chalk it up, maybe, to giddy post-100 degree heat liberation, or the "Gruene Hall" dream like spell of an unseasonably pleasant summer night in Edmond, OK. Or, just for a fleeting few hours, the euphoric feeling of memories evoked by the music that we all remember from younger days. If that’s not exactly living forever, well, it’s the next best thing.
