Smokewagon Blues BandLow Down Righteous Blues2001Independent

Smokewagon Blues Band - Low Down Righteous Blues - 2001 - Independent

Written by John Taylor

Seems to me one ought to apply somewhat different, and yes, more liberal criteria to independent releases. Throw the Smoke Wagon Blues Band's debut, Low Down Righteous Blues, for instance, up against a slick, big-budget major label recording and yes, it will suffer in comparison. But it's big budgets, and the inevitable impression they make on people more concerned with bank notes than musical notes, that often results in a "too perfect" product far too sterile to be real.

Blues in particular ought to be loose and dirty; it ought to sound, in other words, like real people making real music. And based on those criteria, Low Down Righteous Blues succeeds reasonably well.

The band is led by smoky-voiced vocalist and harmonicist Corey Lueck, who is ably supported by guitarist Mike Stubbs; together, the two are responsible for the bulk of the originals, some seven of the disc's 11 tracks. Covers include Howlin' Wolf's Killing Floor, Willie Dixon's Spoonful, and a bluesy take on Donovan's Season Of The Witch. (Hey, if it's good enough for Bloomfield and Kooper, who's gonna' argue?).

Taking their cues from the blues rockers of the '60s, Smokewagon describes their sound as a "progressive blues explosion." The disc was recorded in a single session, live off the floor with nary a single overdub. That means the sound is loose, with the feel of an informal jam session where much is made up on the spot. Sometimes it works - there's some fine playing indeed from Mr. Stubbs here, with more than a hint of Memphis soul to his work, and Corey has some nice chops - but sometimes it's a little too loose, meandering into excess and indulgence that may come off as amateurish.

Production is obviously low-budget, which actually works well for Lueck, Stubbs, and bassist Skot Silverthorn - they all sound gritty and real. But the drums somehow sound rubbery, as though Gavin Robertson were playing plastic boxes instead of a real kit. It's made worse by the fact that he's a very busy drummer - too busy for my tastes - but again, it's appropriate for the retro sound they're seeking.

So what's to like about the disc? Well, Low Down Righteous Blues is just that. It's real and it's honest. Sound may not be pristine, but it's got the feel of a live band heard amid the din and hubbub of a very happening club. The guys play their hearts out - which, really, is what counts most - the material's quite good, and the moody vibes they establish seem to linger on after each song ends, so it bears up very well indeed to repeated listenings.

There's talent here, and if they were to ask my advice (they haven't, nor am I breathlessly awaiting a call), I'd say they need to be a little less self-conscious about playing the blues and simply get down to doing it.

The Smoke Wagon Blues Band is definitely one to watch, and I look forward to hearing what they do next.

Copyright 2003. Review by John Taylor.

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