I cut my teeth in Hanford, Ca. with Smoky. The scheduled Harp player couldn't make the gig. After a brief interview, Smoky cut me loose. I believe the year was 1988 or 89. Mississippi Red and Lady GG were there.
Bill Clarke was at his best always, but especially when he did the little back upp harp licks , that just were great.... si or no ??? GO , ' THE DIRTY LOW DOWN BLUES !!! YEAH !!!
thanks a lot Jeannette i never saw Bill live or any video of him performing and it really help me a lot in my daily study of him. My goal in a bit is to be the second coming of William Clarke as i want to keep his music an style around forever or at least the rest of my lifetime
song's in Eb, and he's playing the chromatic harmonica in 3rd position. So the harmonica's most likely a C, but he's keeping the button pushed in to raise its key a semitone.
Smokey came to Anchorage a few years ago and played with us at Bllues Central. My daughter and I were happy happy to provide some transportation while he was here. One Great Bluesman
88th and Vermont the pioneer club.. 1979..I’m the only white boy in the club..Smokey came over and said son you got a home..then he tore the roof off..one of my fondest music memories
Bill had a bleeding ulcer. A hospital in LA told him to go home and take aspirin and he would be ok. They never checked to see it was an ulcer. He bled so much he passed. That is what I was told. I met Bill years ago in Fort Lauderdale at a club. Saw him several times and had emailed him. He was a great harp player and nice guy. Sad to see he is gone but he survives in recordings. When he would kick off the band the stage would shake.
Murray Bro Records!!! Great music from the brothers. Thank you for your great contribution to Southern California Blues music!! Your recorded music will keep future generations aware of the Talent of the So Cal Blues scene!!
Produce I produced this show at the El Rey theater in Albuquerque NM with him opening for junior Wells. Bill asked me if Junior would mind him getting up on the stage and doing a thing together and Junior Wells flatly, adamantly refused!! I know it's because he didn't want to get embarrassed!
What a band! WC runs/leads it beautifully but I can’t get over how well the drummer is in line with everything WC does! On top of that, this one one of the tightest shuffles I’ve heard in a long time, right in the pocket, totally creating the groove!!
I recorded Smokey's 88th Street Blues album on my Murray Bros Records Label in the 80's. He was a great man, nice as they come and a true bluesman. He could imitate the sound of numerous greats as was demonstrated on the 88th Street Blues release (now available on Blind Pig Records). When the record was released, sales were huge in Mississippi and other southern states where I was told by a distributor fans went crazy for his sound. Hollywood Fats was/is my favorite blues guitarists bar none, what a shame he passed so young. He too could imitate other major blues guitarists, but played a better version than did themselves. I saw him live many times and recorded him on other albums, no one could build and climax a solo like him. William Clarke also passed way too young was one of the top harp players of the day, great tone and chops. Nice to see this video, reminds me of many great times I had back in the day with fond memories of those who have passed...
I saw him play the Belly Up Tavern in the mid 80's. Hollywood Fats was backing him up. Fats came on first and played an incredible blues set. I got a chance to talk with Smokey a bit. He was the nicest guy.
That “88th St, Blues “ record is a total classic. I discovered it when reissued. Met Smokey and he was a class act. Thanks for posting the clip and for the memories.
Fats could play circles around Smokey. He was showboatin' and didn't let Fats cut loose because he would have "Smoked" Smokey. Fats was a classy guy and just laid back as it was Smokey's band and his show. He really should have let Fats stretch out and tear it up!
maybe. depends on what you're after. Smokey was a helluva showman and crowd pleaser. To a lot of blues fans, that accounts for more than a guitar solo.
Very Cool to see the Belly Up Tavern, does anyone know what year this was? I was in the first electric band to ever play there, starting in 1977 and the first pro harmonica player to be there. We would play 2-3 nights per week about once a month and really got the place hoping.....filled with listeners but, also the two-step honk-tonk style country dance folks.
