Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Mike Harrison - Smokestack Lightning (1972 uk, fine bluesy classic rock, 2011 remaster)



This 1972 release by the former and future Spooky Tooth singer is split between four tight, melodic white boy blues tunes and two extended jams. The album is capped by an overlong yet powerful cover of the Howlin' Wolf classic "Smokestack Lightning." Hats off to whomever decided to record this album in Alabama with the always-soulful Muscle Shoals studio band. Barry Beckett, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, and company elevate the proceedings a notch above an average white band. 
by Mark Allan
Tracks
1. Tears (Jimmy Stevens) - 4:12
2. Paid My Dues (Jimmy Stevens) - 4:19
3. What A Price (Murphy Maddux, Jack Jessup, Fats Domino) - 5:52
4. Wanna Be Free (Joe Tex) - 4:14
5. Turning Over (Mike Harrison, Luther Grosvenor) - 6:31
6. Smokestack Lightning (Chester Burnett) - 12:28

Musicians
*Mike Harrison - Harmonica, Vocals
*Pete Carr - Guitar
*Jimmy Johnson - Guitar
*Wayne Perkins - Slide Guitar
*Luther Grosvenor - Acoustic Guitar
*Barry Beckett - Keyboards
*Clayton Ivey - Keyboards
*David Hood - Bass
*Roger Hawkins - Drums
*Harrison Calloway - Trumpet
*Mike Stacey - Trumpet
*Harry Thompson - Tenor Saxophone
*Ronnie Eades - Baritone Saxophone
*Charles Rose - Trombone

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