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BOSTON BLACKIE and BIG SMOKEY SMOTHERS
CHICAGO BLUES SESSION VOL. 1
Tracks by Boston Blackie recorded:1992
Tracks by Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers recortded: 1984.
Label:Wolf
Format: Flac
Quote:
Boston Blackie (Joe Houston) was shot by bluesman Taildragger in 1993 after a dispute about money that arose out of their performance together at the Chicago Blues Festival. By most accounts Taildragger was acting in self-defence, but was found guilty on a manslaughter charge and went to prison for a couple of years.
Quote:
Otis Big Smokey Smothers was born in Lexington, Mississippi, and was taught by his aunt to play both harmonica and guitar. Smothers relocated to Chicago in 1946, and his debut stage performance occurred with Johnny Williams and Johnny "Man" Young. In the early part of the 1950s, Smothers played alongside his own cousin Lester Davenport, plus Arthur "Big Boy" Spires, Earl Hooker, Henry Strong, and Bo Diddley.
In 1956 and 1957, Howlin' Wolf used Smothers as his rhythm guitarist on several Chess tracks, including "Who's Been Talking," "Tell Me," "Change My Way," "Goin' Back Home," "The Natchez Burning," and "I Asked For Water." Smothers secured a recording contract with Federal Records in August 1960. With Sonny Thompson as his record producer, and Freddie King on lead guitar, Smothers saw the resultant album, Sings the Backporch Blues released in 1962. Another four track session followed, including "Twist With Me Annie", a reworked version of "Work with Me, Annie." As a part-time member of Muddy Waters' backing band, Smothers also cut "I Got My Eyes on You," in 1968.
The 1970s were a lean time for Smothers, but he finally returned to recording in 1986, when Red Beans Records issued his album, Got My Eyes On You. His backing band were billed as The Ice Cream Men, a nod to Smothers working as an ice cream vendor back in the 1950s.
Latterly suffering from heart disease, Smothers died in Chicago at the age of 64, in July 1993
Tracklist:
01. Otis Smothers - I Can't Judge Nobody
02. Otis Smothers - Hello Little School Girl
03. Otis Smothers - Sad, Sad Day
04. Otis Smothers - Do the Thing
05. Boston Blackie - ABC Blues
06. Boston Blackie - Louise
07. Boston Blackie - Hey Baby
08. Boston Blackie - How Much More Long
09. Otis Smothers - Give Me Back That Way
10. Otis Smothers - Blues All Day Long
11. Otis Smothers - I've Been Drinking Muddy Water
12. Boston Blackie - ABC Blues (Take 2)
13. Boston Blackie - Find Me Another Babe
Personnel: Beanie Joe "Boston Blackie" Houston, Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers (vocals, guitar); Eddie "Big Town Playboy" Taylor, Luther Adams (guitar); Birmingham Jones (harmonica); Willie Kent, Michael Riley (bass); Tim Taylor, Cleo Williams (drums).
Personnel: Otis Smokey Smothers (vocals, guitar); Luther "Slim" Adams, John Primer (guitar); Billy Branch (harp); Birmingham Jones (harmonica)
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