Review From Chick Wilson

Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, for those of you who are not familiar, is the son of the legendary Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, who performed with Muddy Waters for nearly 20 years.  Following his father’s footsteps, Kenny is one of the finest drummers on the contemporary blues scene.  He has performed with many of the greatest blues artists of all time, counting many among his friends.  He has also won a Grammy.  With the release of Drop The Hammer, Kenny has finally found his own voice.  The young man, who grew up surrounded by blues and blues musicians, is a bonafide bluesman.  That said, he did not grow up picking cotton, but on the streets of Chicago.  It is here that he finds his inspiration.  Blues is the root of everything on the album, but it is not entirely his father’s blues.  I hear elements of hip-hop, soul, and world music…all delivered from that place that Kenny has carved out for himself in the world of blues.  Frankly, I don’t know if anyone else could have pulled it off so well.  Backing Kenny on this project are his children, Mae, Clara, and Theodore on vocals (2),  Billy Flynn on guitar (1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 12) & sitar (1), Omar Coleman on harmonica (1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 12), Ari Seder on guitar (2-10, 12), Felton Crews on bass (2-10, 12) and Luca Chellini on piano (2, 8-10, 12), organ (3-6) & clavinet (5, 7).  Weighing in on guitar are Greg Guy (3, 5, 6), Guy King (9, 12) & Nelson Strange (11).  Last but not least, we have Sugar Blue on harmonica (7, 9) and backing vocals by Andrea Miologos (3, 7, 9), Dana Gordon (3, 7, 9) & Kimberly Johnson (3, 7, 9, 11).  Bottom line; Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith is here for the long haul…delivering his blues to his generation and more.  This may cross genres, but it is done masterfully.  What I like most about this album is Kenny’s absolute respect for the history and traditions of the blues. – Bill Wilson