Singer, songwriter, and bass player from Nashville, Big Ken Smith,
recently spent about a year in the Twin Cities before moving to
California. During his stay here in the North Country, Big Ken hooked up
with local label Cold Wind Records producer, Tim Bradach. The result is
this fine release of twelve tunes with eleven original blues numbers
written by Ken Smith and a host of collaborators including Don Nix, who
penned the classic "Goin' Down" that was made famous by Freddie King and
also was recorded by numerous blues/rockers. One other tune on this CD
is also a Nix classic, "Same Old Blues," a Big Ken Smith personal
favorite.
Big Ken is a fifteen year veteran with country star Bobby Bare's
band touring the world and playing Nashville. The seasoning and wealth
of that experience is evident in Ken's voice and his powerful playing on
this CD.
Joining Big Ken Smith on this recording are drummer Sam Lay (Paul
Butterfield Blues Band, and - on CHESS Records - Muddy Waters, Little
Walter, Howlin' Wolf), guitarist Larry Burton (Albert King, Albert
Collins, Lou Rawls, Taj Mahal, Fenton Robinson, Johnny Winter), keyboard
player Willie Murphy (Willie & the Bees), drummer Bill Swartz (Rod
Piazza & the Mighty Flyers), pianist Celia Price (Sam Lay Blues Band),
and others. The musicianship on this CD is top end and it really comes
through.
"Hometown Homesick Blues" is classic electric blues with a fair amount
of southern rock influences threaded throughout and it's played with a
whole lotta soul. This is bar band music all the way. The dancing
begins from the opening cut with the tongue in cheek, "Somebody Got To
Do It," and the fun continues with tunes like "Rock And A Hard Case,"
"Home of the Blues" and "Cruise Control," and if you're not careful,
this one will grow on you fast.
This review is copyright © 1998 by Kurt Koehler, all rights reserved.
E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com
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