The House Bumpers Blues band

Keys and Chords Phillip Verhaege 

While other babies listened to children's songs, Kenny Smith listened to the blues. And the blues in the parental home was played by his father, the late great, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. One of the best known blues drummers ever. Willie played in the band of Muddy Waters for more than 30 years. So it makes sense that Kenny grew up with a drumstick in his hand and a back beat in mind. Muddy and his band members were, as it were, family to Kenny and were clearly his greatest mentors. Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith is widely regarded as a multi - talented drummer in today's traditional Chicago blues circuit. As the son of a legendary drummer, Kenny is currently one of the most sought after Chicago blues side and session drummers. Some of his recordings are true credits. With more than 50 albums in the backing, the chance is very real that you have a disc in your collection, where Kenny is behind the drums. Now he proudly announces his new album "Drop The Hammer". The twelve original songs appear on his Big Eye Records label. Kenny wanted to produce a raw and edgy album for years. He loves the traditional blues. But with this new album Kenny focuses on contemporary topics. With a modern and innovative sound, "Beedy Eyes" lifts its blues to a new dimension. For these recordings he would like to introduce his rhythm section. Guitarist Greg Guy, son of blues legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Buddy Guy, blues harpers Sugar Blue and Chicago's West Side Omar Coleman, bass player Felton Crews, guitar players Billy Flynn, Guy King, Nelson Strange and Ari Seder, keyboard player Luca Chiellini and backing vocalists Andrea Miologos, Dana Gordon and Kim Johnson provide a delicious whole. The eclectic rhythms from "Head Pounder" may open the dance. Billy Flynn's sitar and guitar riffs, and handsome activating Delta blues tunes are more than happy to mix with some Chicago's Southside tunes. What a blast of an opening song! During "Hey Daddy" Kenny and his three children, Mae, Clara and Teddy spontaneously conjure up a big smile on our faces. The funky title track is a modern and contemporary blues song. The song "Scratchin" Your Head "enjoys Luca Chiellini's thundering Hammond B3, Omar Coleman's cool blues harp and Billy Flynn's guitar riffs. From the raw and funky "What In The World" it goes to the slow blues "No Need Brotha", with Kenny's hypnotic percussion, and Ari Seder and Greg Guy's guitar arrangements. The apollonian funky groovy bass lines of Felton Crews in "Puppet On A String" and "Living Fast" are in pleasant contrast with the Chicago blues enthusiastic "Keep On Pretending". And it is also difficult to sit still on the piano boogie woogie "Second Hand Woman". The song "One Big Frown" was sung by Kimberly Johnson and is very close to the blues rock eminence. Guest guitarist Nelson Strange also makes a worthy contribution to the song. The instrumental "Moment Of Silence" may end the dance. Whoever claims that the blues is dying, should listen to Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith & The House Bumpers, "Drop The Hammer" ...!   Philip Verhaege