Joe K. Walsh - If Not Now, Who? (2023)

Madison – Mailander/Walsh
An older shuffle begun in a Minneapolis train station and finished in a Berklee classroom with fiddler extraordinaire John Mailander. What a joy to hear he and Ella play together (for the first time!) on this track! Grateful anytime I get to play some with either of them.

When It’s Over - Walsh
A sparse mandola tune, written and played on the singing Lawrence Smart ‘dola.

Palmer - Walsh
Broke down (busted belt) and got stranded one night in Palmer, MA, on the way home from a gig. The folks there tried so hard to help me get my car back up and running. They were so kind. Finished this tune, bleary eyed, on the way to tune writing ensemble the next morning.

If Not Now, Who - Walsh
And if not us, when?

Globe Thistle - Walsh
Circular, beautiful and spiky. Karl makes half notes sound so full of life!! And it was all I could do to not laugh into my mic as Matt unfurled such beautiful lines.

Rosalind - Walsh
An epic mandola tune, propelled by the great John Suntken piloting us along on the drums.

The Bills – Marlin/Walsh
A co-write with Andrew Marlin. Where would we be without Monroe and Frisell?

Home - Walsh
Written on tour with Grant and Danny Barnes, who first helped bring this tune to life on various stages.

Tom – Walsh
Named after my friend Tom, who did what he could to help make sure that the musicians he knew were surviving the early pandemic.

41 Years – Jordan/Walsh
Written and dedicated to my folks on their anniversary , with a graceful assist from brilliant fiddler Minnie Jordan. Grant gracefully struck the perfect balance of joy and sorrow on this one.

Huge thanks to the folks who helped bring this music to life: the players who played so beautifully, and Ethan, Dave and Dave who made everything sound even better than it already did.

So many folks helped me get to know these tunes: big thanks to Neil Pearlman, Katie McNally, Danny Barnes, Ben Krakauer, Dan Klingsberg, Zack Hickman, Annie Bartlett, Tristan Clarridge, Simon Chrisman, Brittany Karlson, Elise Leavy, Lillian Sawyer, Maddie Witler, Alex Rubin, Darol Anger, Mike Block, and Scott Nygaard, as well as my tune writing ensembles at the Berklee College of Music. And I’m grateful beyond words for Emma Halas-O’Connor, Jean, Kevin, Micah and Emily Walsh, and Elise, JP, and Henry Berry. Dedicated to anyone who chooses kindness.