Smokey

A CD release for the very rare Smokey Wilson album recorded for Big Town in the late 70s. Wilson was the natural successor to Howling Wolf, with a similarly astonishing voice, who produced some of the finest blues of the 70s. When many were succumbing to the over-processed sounds of the day, Smokey was still down and dirty like good blues ought to be. This is the first UK release for Smokey Wilson apart from two tracks that appeared on Lindi Waters' Cascade blues box. Many of the tracks were speeded up in the original mix and these have been restored to the correct tempo of their recording. The legendary George 'Harmonica' Smith features on several tracks. Includes five previously unreleased tracks.

Here’s another obscurity from the Avco Embassy label, Smokey John Bull were a communal gospel/blues group from the Hartford Connecticut area. The album was produced by Lewis Merenstein, producer of Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks” and is a mix of gospel, rock, blues, and funk. The album features two Bob Dylan covers,” He Was A Friend Of Mine” and “The Mighty Quinn” plus Tom Cosgrove’s “Hitchin’ To Memphis”. Also included is the album’s highlight, Jeff Gordon’s “E-Z Rider” (Jack Dominilla)