Little Smokey Smothers Lesson and Chat

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 KZbin of him with Elvin Bishop and Sam Lay and the 45 of "Hello Baby" by Lee Williams is totally smokin'.
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