Little Smokey Smothers Lesson and Chat
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Albert Abraham "Smokey" Smothers (1939-2010) was a wonderful guitarist who recorded with Howlin Wolf, his cousin Lee Shot Williams, with The Legendary Blues Band, and under his own name with some great records on Black Magic and partnered with his one-time protege Elvin Bishop on Alligator. (There are some other recordings too, check out Stefan Wirz's discography.) This video talks about his "43rd Street Blues" and "Days are Dark" from "Bossman" CD and a bit his trademark take on "Sweet Little Angel". To my ears, his style was a classy mix of Albert King, early Little Milton, with some dashes of fellow South Sider Bobby King and even some Kenny Burrell-- but what came out was instantly recognizable to anybody as Little Smokey.
I went to see Smokey every chance I could on the South Side of Chicago-- his guitar playing was spell-binding. He was a wonderful guy and he was kind enough to let me sit in and give me words of encouragement. When he played something especially cool sometimes he'd shoot me a little look as if to say "this is the good stuff so pay attention!" He had an controlled elegance to his playing that was so satisfying. He had an impish sense of humor and a good nature that is missed by all who knew him. Folks, if you have some Little Smokey memories please share them in the comments, I'd love to hear them.
And if Smokey's music is new to you, definately check him out, his CDs "Bossman" and "Second Time Around" are my faves, but you can't go wrong! There's some great UA-cam of him with Elvin Bishop and Sam Lay and the 45 of "Hello Baby" by Lee Williams is totally smokin'.
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Thank you for showing us these great bluesmens and their guitarplaying. Have a great Day. Rainer
thanks a lot Rainer! I miss Smokey, he was just a wonderful musician and guy.
Back in 2004, the Columbus OH Blues Alliance hired Snapper Mitchum (Son Seal's bassist and bandleader) for the annual Toys for Tots show. Snapper bought Smokey, Snapper's drummer brother 'Tophat' Mitchum, and another guitarist (I forget his name right now). My band, The Primetime Blues Band, opened the show, and later Smokey had me up to play. In between the sets, he told me about his friendship with Elvin Bishop. Bishop didn't have much money, and ate at his apartment several times a week. Smokey's wife always had a pot of beans and neckbones on the stove.
great story. thanks a lot Tony. Snapper was a great bassist he's on one of my favorite records www.discogs.com/release/3755393-Bobby-King-Chaser
Another great lesson Johnny
thanks a lot man!
I hadn't listened to Little Smokey Smothers previously. Because of your video, I bought his CD "Bossman". It's great! Thanks!
Enjoy! That's one of the points of these videos so thanks for commenting
One of my biggest guitar influences was little Smokey Smothers. I was there when they recorded the boss man record at tone zone in Chicago around 1996. I even went to his house for lessons maybe around 1995. I wish I had saved all of the hysterical answering machine messages. He left for me also booked him on the three rivers festival in Michigan and he was like two hours late.
Awesome!! Thanks Zack
Wow, Johnny's right hand picking really puts such an authentic accent on the notes.
thanks so much Jonathan, maybe I shoulda said something about that in the video lol!
Had to pause this and chase down Little and Big Smokey's recording careers. Both did a fair amount of session work with Howlin' Wolf til 1960.
Very cool! Thanks Jim!
Джонни отличное исполнение.
thanks so much!
I found the name from "I GOT MY EYES ON YOU" a Green Onions style track, did not find any other recordings from this time/session.
that's his older brother Big Smokey Smothers fyi. thanks for watching
Chicago blues guitar lesson:
ua-cam.com/video/UbQC2H7Q590/v-deo.htmlsi=kimjAwcptsRdqwBH