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Avg: 3.5 (48 ratings)
- Date Released: July 31, 2001
- Genre: Blues
- Style: Contemporary Blues
- Label: M.C. Records
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We Say...
Best known as frontman for Texas roots band the Fabulous Thunderbirds, vocalist and harmonica master Kim Wilson also has several strong solo albums to his name and Smokin' Joint, an outstanding collection of live dates culled from two years of touring, is certainly one of the best. His band, featuring two superb blues guitarists in Rusty Zinn and Billy Flynn, is both raucous and nimble, allowing Wilson to showcase his wide-ranging skills.
Though associated with the Austin music scene, Wilson was born in Detroit, and his harmonica style — learned from George "Harmonica" Smith and honed under guitarist Peewee Crayton — is classic urban blues; indeed, Muddy Waters once tabbed Wilson "the greatest harmonica player to come along since Little Walter." His subsequent sojourn in Texas has broadened Wilson far beyond any regional boundaries: Smokin' Joint calls on jump blues for its opener, "Ain't Gonna Do It," gives a nod to the shuffle sound of Freddie King with "Oh, Baby" and then pays homage to Chicago harp master Junior Wells with a cover of his scorcher "Early in the Morning." Other standouts include a killer vocal on "Telephone Blues" and flaming harp work on the title track.
Though hardly a name brand, Kim Wilson has become one of the most dependable and heart-felt bluesman of his generation. And Smoking' Joint is just about all the resumé anybody needs. -
They Say...
White men can play the blues. Sure, there's not the built-in authenticity of their genre-creating black counterparts, but it can be done. Rock & roll's mere existence is proof. Vocalist and harmonica player Kim Wilson -- best known as the frontman of the Fabulous Thunderbirds -- offers a wide-ranging blues workout on his 2001 live solo album, Smokin' Joint. Wilson recorded Smokin' Joint with two different bands over four nights. He captured shows on February 26 and 27, 1999 at The Rhythm Room in Phoenix, AZ, and December 8 and 9, 2000 at Cafe Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach, CA. The 13 songs are a blend of originals, covers, and traditional blues standards. Wilson used the same rhythm section of bassist Larry Taylor and drummer Richard Innes in both bands. Guitarists Rusty Zinn and Billy Flynn performed at The Rhythm Room gigs while guitarists Kirk Fletcher and Troy Gonyea, and pianist Mark Stevens were featured at the Cafe Boogaloo shows. "Ain't Gonna Do It," "Oh Baby," "Got to Let You Go," and "I Can Tell" have a jazzy, shuffle-inflected kick, whereas "Good Time Charlie," "Early in the Morning," "Telephone Blues," and "High & Lonesome" follow the standard, slow-burn blues format. Among Wilson's originals are "Smokin' Joint," an instrumental with a '50s rock & roll flavor, and "Learn to Treat Me Right," which progresses into a '60s R&B/rock & roll vibe. Overall, Wilson's rich, rumbling voice and harmonica playing are in fine form. He doesn't break any new ground on Smokin' Joint -- unlike the Fabulous Thunderbirds' hits such as "Tuff Enuff," "Wrap It Up" and "Powerful Stuff," in which polished blues muscled onto the pop charts -- but its greater purpose is to keep this kind of music alive.
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| 01. |  |
Ain't Gonna Do It |
4:04 |
|
| 02. | |
Good Time Charlie |
3:23 |
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| 03. | |
Oh Baby |
7:34 |
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| 04. | |
Early In The Morning |
8:59 |
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| 05. | |
Got To Let You Go |
9:15 |
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| 06. | |
Learn To Treat Me Right |
5:39 |
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| 07. | |
Smokin' Joint |
5:19 |
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| 08. | |
I Stay In The Mood |
4:03 |
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| 09. | |
Telephone Blues |
5:05 |
|
| 10. | |
High And Lonesome |
4:23 |
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| 11. | |
I Can Tell |
6:52 |
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| 12. | |
Tomorrow Night |
6:31 |
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| 13. | |
The Lighthouse Is Gone |
2:34 |
|
13 Total Tracks, 73:41 Total Length
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Credits
- Jerry Portnoy - Liner Notes // Larry Taylor - Bass // Kim Wilson - Harmonica // Kim Wilson - Vocals // Kim Wilson - Producer // Kim Wilson - Engineer // Kim Wilson - Main Performer // Bill Flynn - Guitar // Richard Innes - Drums // Mark Cass Stevens - Piano // Mark Cass Stevens - Executive Producer // James Wells - Photography // James Wells - Inlay Photography // Rusty Zinn - Guitar // Dave Shirk - Mastering // Bob Corritore - Producer // Troy Gonyea - Guitar // Kirk Fletcher - Guitar // Clark Rigsby - Engineer // Clark Rigsby - Mixing // Tony Stone - Cover Photo
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