Elvin Bishop & Little Smokey Smothers
That’s My Partner!
Alligator - 4874
available on CD Universe
Every now and again you get one of those discs that picks up a few threads that have long lain dormant for various reasons, and you are more than overjoyed that someone took the time to help make the reconnections that seem to make life richer. Little Smokey took the young, and new to Chicago, Elvin Bishop under his wing in the early 60’s and taught the kid everything, from playing blues guitar to how to walk the walk. It is well documented how Bishop’s career took off when he hooked up with Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield in the Butterfield Blues Band (setting the stage for all the other twin lead guitar bands such as the Allman Brothers’ Band that followed). Smokey remained in Chicago and virtually gave up trying to make a living playing music in favor of a job to support the family. With the kids grown by the 80’s he started playing again. In January 2000 the two hooked up again for 3 nights that would be recorded by Alligator. Maybe this was to say thank you for the early help, more likely judging by the playing, this was a return of the early love between the two. This was more than worth the wait to hear the interplay of these two. Backed by a more than capable band (a nod to S.E. Willis on keyboards) that lets these two stand to the forefront and play off each other while giving strong, solid support. Elvin has always been know as a fun-loving musician, however he takes his chops seriously and his playing is crisp and, as he shows here, he is at his best when playing off an equal (listen to his signature Travelin’ Shoes!). The joy of playing that deep felt Chicago blues with an old friend and colleague and a chance for teacher and pupil to stand up and show off the licks and progress shines through here. The banter between the two helps to push the music along to greater heights. Just listen to this gutter crawling version of Little Red Rooster. You know The Wolf would be proud.
Produced by Elvin Bishop and Bruce Iglauer
Songs, Times, and writers
- That’s My Partner – 4:43 – Bishop
- Roll Your Moneymaker – 3:54 – Harris
- Slow Down – 4:37 – Bishop
- Little Red Rooster – 5:28 – Dixon
- Hello, Baby – 3:30 – Williams
- Middle Aged Man – 3:28 – Bishop
- The Skin They’re In – 3:16 – Bishop
- Stomp – 3:38 – Bishop
- Annie Mae – 4:56 – Smothers
- Pleading With You – 4:05 - Smothers
- Dirty Draws – 4:19 – Bishop
Musicians
Elvin Bishop – Lead guitar and vocals
Albert “Little Smokey” Smothers – lead guitar and vocals
Ian Lamson – guitar
S.E.Willis – piano, organ, accordion &background vocals
Terry Hanck – tenor sax
Ed Earley – trombone, percussion & background vocals
Evan Palmerston – bass
Bobby Cochran – drums, & background vocals
Steve Gurr - harmonica