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 It seems like seven
times W.C. Handy Award winning drummer Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith
has always been apart of my Blues life. I remember seeing
Willie at the Colonial Tavern with the legendary Muddy Waters
band way back in the late 60's and 70's. Over the past few
years he has put together two incredible solo recordings for
Juke Joint Records and guess what, the man is still givin' us
some great rhythm with his latest CD now out on Electro-Fi
Records label titled "Bluesin' It".
If you love and want some straight ahead Blues, this recording
will do it to ya. Willie is backed by The Juke Joint Rockers
and this band knows how to do the Blues right. Jack DeKeyzer
on lead guitar, Frank Krakowski's rhythm guitar, Willie's old
time partner Bob Stroger on bass guitar, Al Lerman with the
harp and sax, Michael Fonfara on piano and organ, and to top
it all off, Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne kickin' in on piano. One
of the most sincere feelings that I get about this session is
that Willie as the leader and as a good singer has
relinquished this position to those in the band, and a special
guest like Fathead's John Mays, that can handle the vocals
chores and the final result is his best album to date.
The first track that hits the Hi-Fi is Birmingham Junior's
1956 song "You're Too Bad" with John Mays takin' on
the strong lead vocal with some poundin' organ fills by
Michael. Next up, Bob steps up to the microphone on his
composition "Blindman". Things really rock on the
Jack's tune "Who Let The Cat Out", with him singin'
and playin' some tasty jazzy/blues guitar. Willie's vocal
takes over on the classic Percy Mayfield hit "River's
Invitation". Al blows some hot harp on Willie's song
"Nobody Knows", again with Willie singin'. The mood
slows down Al's tune "Hard Times" with John really
raspin' his pipes. An old time 50's feel is presented on the
Jimmy Roger's standard "Going Away Baby", with
Willie once again singin' the Blues. John takes over the lead
on the famous rockin' piece by Tarheel Slim, "No. 9
Train". Jack on slide guitar is the perfect background
for Bob's vocal and penmanship on "I Gotta Move".
Jack stays on the slide and sings up a storm on the
traditional Willie Dixon number, and originally recorded by
Muddy Waters, "You Need Love". It's time for Kenny
Wayne to shine on the ivories and vocal as he and the band
glide right along on "Hold It Right There", a
classic Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson tune. John does a fine
version of Rufus Thomas' "Tigerman" that he sings
live with Fathead. That early 50's Chess label style is felt
again with Willie on the vocals through his song "Don't
Think I'm Crazy". This over an hour long record finishes
off on a high tempo instrumental written by Al who blows some
deep harmonica riffs.
Ya must thank the two Andrews of the Toronto Blues scene,
Andrew Kempa and Andrew Galloway for keepin' The Rhythm Man,
Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith, on the international Blues map. Yes,
a drum roll please, "Bluesin' It" is highly
recommended. Eddy B
Electro-Fi Records website: www.electrofi.com
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