Austin Walkin’ Cane. Credit: Courtesy of Austin Walkin' Cane
Originally released in 2008, Cleveland singer-guitarist Austin Walkin’ Cane‘s Murder of a Blues Singer was only available directly from the local singer-guitarist. Hoboville Records just announced it’ll reissue the album and it’ll be officially available in stores next month.

An after-hours diner conversation with the late Robert Jr. Lockwood inspired the album.

“The stories were flowing like the grease off our plates,” says Cane in a press release.

 Lockwood had agreed to perform on the album, but he passed away a couple of weeks before the Suma Recording Sessions took place.

Cane recorded the album recorded in two sessions: one with the electric band, and the other as acoustic session.

Cane’s terrific backing band — bassist Mike Barrick, guitarist Michael Bay on guitar, and Jim Wall on drums — captured the “live in the studio” feeling that Cane and co-writer Chris Allen, a local singer-songwriter who plays with a number of local musicians, had envisioned for these songs.

“The band was a ‘well-oiled machine’ that had been writing, recording, and performing together from 1998 to 2008,” says Cane. “Having the Prayer Warriors gospel choir on ‘See That My Grave Is Kept Clean’ was like a dream.”

Other special guests include locals Colin Dussault on harmonica and Eroc Sosinski on vocals.

Coming soon: Cleveland Scene Daily newsletter. We’ll send you a handful of interesting Cleveland stories every morning. Subscribe now to not miss a thing.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

This article appears in Sep 6-19, 2023.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.