Blues

George Smith & Bacon Fat - The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions (2006)

2017-04-19T16:17:12Z

George Smith & Bacon Fat - The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions (2006)

CD 1
1.	Up the Line (Jacobs) 4:17
2.	Boom, Boom [Out Goes the Lights] (Lewis) 3:50
3.	Small's on 53'rd (Piazza) 3:49
4.	She's a Wrong Woman (Piazza) 5:24
5.	I Need Your Love (Nicholson) 3:47
6.	Juicy Harmonica (Smith) 3:57
7.	Nobody But You (Spriggs) 2:17
8.	Telephone Blues (Ling, Smith) 6:00
9.	You're So Fine (Jacobs) 3:11
10.	Too Late (Dixon) 6:00
11.	Evil (Dixon) 2:47
12.	Blues Feeling [Remixed Version] (Piazza) 4:02
13.	Off the Wall [Previously Unreleased] (Jacobs) 2:57
14.	Ah'w Baby [Previously Unreleased] (Jacobs) 3:39
15.	Mellow Down Easy [Previously Unreleased] (Dixon) 3:25
16.	Blues with a Feeling [Previously Unreleased] (Tarrant) 3:09
17.	Tight Dress [Previously Unreleased] (McCoy, Smith) 2:59
18.	I've Had My Fun [Previously Unreleased] (Oden) 6:53
19.	Help Me [Previously Unreleased] (Bass, Dixon, Williamson) 3:56
20.	My Babe, Pt. 1 [Previously Unreleased] (Dixon) 2:38

CD 2:
1.	Someday You're Gonna Learn [To Treat Me Right] (McCoy) 4:17
2.	Blue Switch (Smith) 2:57
3.	Mississippi River Blues (Smith) 9:17
4.	Before You Do Your Thing [You'd Better Think] (McCoy) 4:21
5.	I Don't Want to Go, Baby (McCoy) 7:06
6.	Good Things (McCoy) 3:48
7.	Soul Feet (Smith) 3:46
8.	No Time for Jive (Smith) 7:25
9.	My Babe, Pt. 2 [Previously Unreleased] (Dixon) 1:55
10.	I'm Ready [Previously Unreleased] (Dixon) 2:51
11.	Telephone Blues [Previously Unreleased] (Ling, Smith) 5:23
12.	Forty Four [Previously Unreleased] (Burnett C.) 4:40
13.	Blues with a Feeling [Previously Unreleased] (Tarrant) 3:33
14.	Summertime [Previously Unreleased] (Gershwin, Heyward) 3:43
15.	Got My Mojo Working [Previously Unreleased] (Foster) 4:09
16.	Hamp's Boogie Woogie [Previously Unreleased] (Buckner, Hampton) 5:16

Pee Wee Crayton - (Guitar)
Marshall Hooks - (Guitar)
Dick Innes - (Drums)
J.D. Nicholson - (Organ, Piano)
Rod Piazza - (Harmonica, Vocals)
Buddy Reed - (Guitar)
Gregg Schaefer - (Guitar)
George Smith - (Harmonica, Vocals)
Jerry Lee Smith - (Guitar Bass)

For dedicated followers of Post-war blues harp, the mention of George "Harmonica" Smith's name certainly stirs enthusiasm, and rightly so given his influence over a host of modern interpreters, among them Rod Piazza. This solid 2-disc stands up well more than three-and-a-half decades after it was recorded and combines two long-absent titles; Grease One For Me which was listed under the Bacon Fat banner, plus George's own No Time For Jive. Bacon Fat consisted of Buddy Reed and Greg Schaefer on guitars, Jerry Smith's bass, the drumming of a young Richard Innes, and J.D. Nicholson on piano, who wasn't in the lineup for George's effort. There are a handful of shortcomings here including the less-than-pristine sound we've grown accustomed to in the age of remastering. The original multi-track tapes are long-gone so the studio recordings aren't quite up to snuff in the clarity department. Another miss was producer Mike Vernon's admitted blunder in not combining the talents of Smith and Piazza together as the potent twin-harmonica tandem they were with Bacon Fat behind them. However flawed that opportunity was, it doesn't lessen the importance of this incredibly interesting two-and-a-half hours of blues. Many listeners might not be aware of Piazza's lengthy history but he was undoubtedly strong more than thirty-five years ago and the proof resides here; hefty versions of Little Walter's Up The Line, Off The Wall, Ah'w Baby, Mellow Down Easy, and more prove his mettle while he was still in his early twenties. Smith was in his middle-forties when these 1970 recordings were tracked and sported a recording history dating back to 1955 so it should come as no surprise that he was in top-shelf form on Someday You're Gonna Learn, Blue Switch, No Time For Jive, Mississippi River Blues, and others. Vernon also admits in retrospect that not using the abilities of guitarist Pee Wee Crayton to better effect on Smith's Good Things was another blunder, but don't pass on this because of the errors - it was still a well-played game. The extra-innings win comes in the form of fifteen previously-unreleased 'live' recordings from a handful of British venues in late 1970 evenly balanced between those featuring Piazza and Smith. While it does have its small share of warts, don't let a few youth-related managerial mistakes deny the pleasure derived from delving deep into this fine document of a legendary harmonica master and one of his key students. The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions featuring George "Harmonica" Smith & Bacon Fat lands in the 'win' column and that's what counts. ---Craig Ruskey, bigroadblues.com

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George Smith & The Chicago Blues Band - Blues with a Feeling (A Tribute to Little Walter) [2012]

2015-03-19T17:04:10Z

George Smith & The Chicago Blues Band - Blues with a Feeling (A Tribute to Little Walter) [2012]


1 	Mellow Down Easy 	2:26
2 	Can't Hold On Much Longer 	3:03
3 	My Babe 	2:38
4 	Juke (Instrumental) 	3:12
5 	West Helena Woman 	3:35
6 	Tell Me Mama 	2:45
7 	Last Night 	4:20
8 	You Better Watch Yourself 	2:54
9 	Key To The Highway 	2:30
10 	Everything Gonna Be Alright 	2:00
11 	Too Late 	2:26
12 	Goin' Down Slow 	5:24
13 	Just A Feelin' 	3:32
14 	Love With A Feelin'	2:45

Luther Johnson - Guitar
S.P. Leary - Drums
George "Harmonica" Smith - Harmonica, Vocals
Lucille Spann - Vocals
Otis Spann - Piano
Muddy Waters - Guitar
Sonny Wimberley – Bass

George "Harmonica" Smith is a curiously overlooked, albeit influential bluesman. His unique technique can be heard in the sound of acolytes such as Rod Piazza, William Clarke, and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Although the shadow of the Chicago blues style hangs heavily over Smith's vocals and harp playing, when tempered with the years he spent traveling the south as a teen, or playing gospel music, or fronting his own band in Kansas City, Smith's unique experience would create a sound that would make him known as one of the architects of the West Coast blues style.

Sadly, Smith was sorely under-recorded during his brief lifetime, the harp wizard passing away in 1983 at the age of 59 years old. Other than a handful of singles released during the 1950s, there are a couple of early 1970s albums with the blues-rock band Bacon Fat, which also featured Piazza and guitarist Buddy Reed; a pair of well-regarded mid-70s discs with singer Big Mama Thornton; and a half dozen or so releases under his own name, from mostly European labels, and not easy to acquire except for the most diligent (and rabid) of collectors. Smith's mid-1950s tenure with the Muddy Waters Band went unrecorded, as did much of his mid-1960s return; although a 1967 session with Otis Spann resulted in The Blues Is Where It's At album.

Smith was heavily influenced by the style and grace of Little Walter Jacobs – few harp players of the 1950s and early '60s wouldn't feel that influence – so it was only fitting that Smith's first album would be a tribute to the master harp player. Recorded in L.A. in October 1968 with members of Waters' band, including pianist Spann, guitarist Luther Johnson, and Muddy Waters himself, Blues With A Feeling would be released in early 1969 to near universal critical acclaim. The album featured material that was written, or recorded by Little Walter during his brief career, with the exception of "West Helena Woman," a James Cotton song that was a favorite of Smith's.

The entire recording and release of Blues With A Feeling took place only weeks after Jacobs' death, making it the ultimate tribute album, and the performances featured in the grooves were inspired, no doubt, by the relationship that many of the musicians in the studio had with the late harp player. The album kicks off with "Mellow Down Easy," a Willie Dixon composition that will be instantly familiar to any Chicago blues fan as it's long since become a blues standard. Smith's performance here display the first strains of the West Coast jump-blues style he helped create, the band jumpin'-n-jivin' behind his soulful vocals and jaunty harpwork. --- blues.about.com

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George 'Harmonica' Smith - Pick Your Choice (2013)

2015-03-11T17:06:38Z

George 'Harmonica' Smith - Pick Your Choice (2013)


1.    Stockholm Swing
2.    Trouble, Trouble (feat. Long Gone Miles)
3.    Think I'll Go Out Drinkin' (feat. Doug MacLeod)
4.    Baby Please (feat. Evans Walker)
5.    Misty
6.    Bad Luck At My Door
7.    Don't Be Nobody's Fool (feat. Blind Joe Hill)
8.    52 Cards In A Deck (feat. William Clarke and The Nightowls)

George 'Harmonica' Smith - harmonica
Lloyd Glen – piano
Dennis Walker – base
Jerry Abrams – base
Dystan – drums
Eddie Heans – drums
Mark Withers - piano
Bernie Pearl – guitar
Evans Walker – guitar
Blind Joe Hill – One man’s band
J.D. Nicholson – piano
William Clarke – harmonica with the night owls

“Pick Your Choice with George “Harmonica” Smith” is an unusual blues LP from the early 1980’s that features an interesting assortment of blues harmonica players starting with George “Harmonica” Smith who played in Muddy Water’s band in the mid 1950’s and again in the mid 1960’s before joining forces with Big Mama Thornton in the 1970’s. George leads the proceedings here and is featured on 3 tracks in the Chicago blues vein; Lightnin’ Hopkins’ sideman Luke “Long Gone’ Miles” demonstrates his country blues style; while one man band Blind Joe Hill plays guitar, harmonica and drums at the same time. Three protégés of George “Harmonica” Smith also appear with one track apiece – William Clarke, who is featured with his band The Nightowls; the New York bluesman Doug McLeod; and Evans Walker rounds out the set. Sidemen include Lloyd Glenn, Dennis Walker, Bernie Pearl, and J.D. Nicholson. All selections have been newly remastered. ---wantitall.co.za

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George 'Harmonica'Smith - Teardrops Are Falling (2011)

2012-07-02T16:39:45Z

George 'Harmonica'Smith - Teardrops Are Falling (2011)


01 - Intro By Spider
02 - Teardrops Are Falling
03 - Love That Woman
04 - Key To the Highway
05 - I'm a Man
06 - Crazy 'Bout You Baby
07 - Big Boss Man
08 - Juke
09 - Goin' Down Slow
10 - Woke Up This Mornin'
11 - Harp Stomp

George Harmonica Smith - Vocals & harmonica
Buddy Reed - Guitar & vocals
Jerry Smith - Bass
Roger Rotoli - Drums
Bullet Bill Tarsha - Harmonica on tracks 3, 5, 7, 10, 11

These live recordings, done just before George's passing in 1983, show just what a GREAT HARPSMAN George was capable of being, live in person. The band ably backs George on this CD, but it's guitarist Buddy Reed in particular who is the standout, being the perfect foil to George's Harp. Reed's guitar has the intensity of a Luther Tucker, or a young Buddy Guy, with a wicked tone to match! George plays a TERRIFIC "Juke" on here, claiming he'd never met, or heard of Little Walter, while introducing the song, (very funny George!). George Harmonica Smith remains one of the true GIANTS of West Coast Harp and proves himself so on these recordings. --- Mark Hummel, Editorial Reviews

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George ‘Harmonica’ Smith - Blowing the Blues (1960)

2011-08-07T14:57:44Z

George ‘Harmonica’ Smith - Blowing the Blues (1960)


01. Blowing The Blues  2:17
02. West Helena Blues  3:11
03. I Don't Know  2:59
04. Miss O'Malley's Rally  2.14
05. All Last Night  2:29
06. I Want A Woman  2:35
07. Until You Come Home  2:48
08. Hot Rolls  2:12
09. I Must Be Crazy  2:03				play
10. Yes Baby  2:16
11. Loose Skrews  2:31
12. Rope That Twist  1:56
13. Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Lose  3:03
14. Good Things  2:52
15. You Can't Undo What's Been Done  2:24
16. Nobody Knows  2:49
17. Trap Meat  2:07
18. Tight Dress  2:37
19. Times Won't Be Hard Always  2:34
20. Come On Home  2:23					play
21. The Avalon Boogaloo  2:45
22. As Long As I Live  2:49
23. Brown Mule  2:41
24. Summertime  3:30
25. Teenage Girl  4:45
26. Teardrops Falling  5:01

George "Harmonica" Smith (vocals, harmonica); 
Jr. Watson, Doug MacLeod, Pete Lewis, Marshall Hooks (guitar); 
Rod Piazza (harmonica); 
Honey Piazza, J.D. Nicholson (piano); 
Bill Stuve (acoustic bass); 
Curtis Tilman (bass); 
Chuck Thomas, Bill Swartz (drums).

These were culled from sessions from 1956 to 1966 and 1978, and originally recorded for local labels JM, Sotoplay, Carolyn and Hittin' Heavy. Although this material taps the depths of Smith's mastery, little care was done to digitally clean up these cuts. Just as shameful are that some of the personnel is unknown, as they serve up some tasty morsels. Al Bedorsian (later associated with Robert Lucas' Luke and the Locomotives) and William Clarke join on the 1978 session. Smith's gab for songwriting needs more notice, as "Rope This Twist," influenced by Chubby Checker's "Do the Twist," is more like a one-up on that popular favorite, going with complex instrumental layering, yet keeping a danceable feel. ---Editorial Reviews

Now You Can Talk About Me collects mid- and late-period Smith, with the harmonica genius' '60s sides for the microscopic imprint Sotoplay sampled on the first five cuts. The remainder of the album is from a 1982 session for the Murray Brothers label with Rod Piazza behind the board, which produced the Boogie'n with George album. Also included are the previously unreleased "Last Chance" and a powerful instrumental slow-burner. Junior Watson shines on guitar on these tracks and Smith's tone is big, fat, rich, and full of ideas galore on tunes like "Bad Start," "Astatic Stomp," "Sunbird," and the title track. But Smith's use of a chromatic harp will strike most blues mavens as something unique and out of the ordinary, as he tackles such standards as "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "Peg o' My Heart" with considerable élan, imparting both with a bluesy feel that Jerry Murad & the Harmonicats could only envision. If you like great blues harmonica playing, you're going to love Now You Can Talk About Me. Add Smith's name to the list of all-time greats near the top with this one. ---Cub Koda, All Music Guide

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