CD Review
Pat Smillie Band
Letter To Hampton
Fat Bank Music FBM 1001
by Dave Thomas
Review date: April 2004
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award"
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by The Blues Foundation
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Pat Smillie comes from Detroit and has just released his second album which was recorded in Chicago where Pat currently resides. Pat co-wrote all the songs and produced the 10 track album with his hero Bud Johnson. I saw Pat at this year's Chicago Blues Festival and I was impressed with him and the band so it's with great pleasure I have of recommending this album to anybody who likes soul/blues with touches of blues/rock.
Stand out tracks are the lush "Can We Make It Happen" which would make an excellent blue eyed single that could do well in the charts, the song just glides along so gracefully with Pat's husky soulful vocal. "The Comeback" also is a fine piece of soul that effortlessly rolls along at a smooth pace. "Finest Hour" has a kind of Delbert McClinton feel to it and has some nice lap steel guitar on it from Charlie King. The title track "Letter To Hampton" is a raunchy blues romp. Jimmy Burns makes a guest appearance on "Finally Over You" which is a chugging blues burner. Vance Kelly pops up all over the place but on "Latanya" he plays some excellent controlled blues runs. Just buy it, you won't regret it.
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Copyright © 2004 Ray M. Stiles & Blues On Stage
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