Big Walter Smith & The Groove Merchants: Midnight Express

Big Walter Smith & The Groove Merchants – Midnight Express CD (kansivihossa yhtyeen jäsenten nimikirjoitukset)

Label: BWS Productions – BWS 403

Format: CD, Album

Country: US

Released: 1998

Genre: Blues

Style: Chicago Blues

Tracklist

1Midnight Express

2Rainy Chicago Blues

3Permanent Position

4Big Storm Coming

5383 Emergency

6If You Love Me Like You Say

7I've Been Wrong So Long

8Hooked On You

9I Don't Want No Woman

10Leave Me And My Woman Alone

11Cold Women

12A Good Fool Is Hard To Find

13Black Magic Woman

Review by Kurt Koehler

"Midnight Express" is the third CD from Big Walter Smith and the Groove Merchants in recent years and it's not only going please their army of fans - it's bound to recruit quite a few more. This is a strong set and it's exactly what Big Walter fans have come to expect when they attend a live performance; solid blues, R&B dance tunes, slow ballads, and little funky stuff too. The selections on the CD are comprised of covers and original material written by band members Arthur Branscomb, Scotty Graves, Big Walter, and long time friend and collaborator Deb Mahon ("Rainy Chicago Blues," "Permanent Position"). Making a return appearance from the group's first CD is it's title tune, "Big Storm Comin'." Also on the disc are a few covers from Johnny Taylor's "383 Emergency," Otis Clay's "Leave Me And My Woman Alone," and Little Johnny Taylor's "If You Love Me Like You Say," to Albert King's "Cold Women" and Fleetwood Mac's, "Black Magic Woman" done in the a classic Santana style arrangement. The horn arrangements (Arthur Branscomb - trumpet, Matt Franko - trombone, Ruston Reynolds - sax) and keyboard interplay (Paul Widgen) that characterizes the sound of the Groove Merchants is all here, and as always, its' the perfect backdrop for Big Walter's smooth vocals. Scotty Graves guitar work over-lays and accents with fills in all the right places and when it's time for him to step out, he's out front with his trademark fiery leads and signature sustain (check out his smokin' solos on "Hooked On You," "I Don't Want No Woman" and "Black Magic Woman"). Nailing down the rhythm section are Josh Taulbee on bass and Tom McShane on drums. There's a live sounding quality to this recording that should appeal to most listeners, and the music on this CD keeps moving - again much like their stage show. There's little dead air between songs and the energy is high even on the slower tunes. All in all "Midnight Express" is a triumph for Big Walter Smith, who was featured in the November/December 1997 issue of Living Blues magazine and was named the "Ambassador to the Blues" during the 1997 Bayfront Blues Festival. It is a must addition to the CD collections of Big Walter fans and blues lovers everywhere.

This review is copyright © 1998 by Kurt Koehler, all rights reserved.

Big Walter Smith’s Biography

BigWalter Smith celebrates life after achieving 55 years as a lead vocalist and band leader in the music business. Blues, R&B, soul, rock, country and reggae is what he sings about these days.

Big Walter Smith is Minnesota’s most honored and recognized Bluesman. In Minneapolis, the legendary “Big Man of the Blues” has been a fixture in the Midwest’s blues scene since 1970. His 300 pound presence and velveteen voice have graced nearly every blues and R&B stage in the Midwest, as well as the finest concert halls, casinos and festivals.

Big Walter has been a mainstay at the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth since its inception in 1988. He is so popular in Duluth that the Mayor proclaimed August 8, 1997 to be “Big Walter Smith Day” in the city.

There’s hardly a Minnesota music award that hasn’t been bestowed upon Big Walter Smith both individually and with his band, The Groove Merchants. The Twin Cities Blues News Best Blues Band (1997). Minnesota Blues Society Horn Band (1995). Minnesota Blues Society Male Vocalist (1989). Minnesota’s Black Music Award R&B Horn Band (1987, 1988). Minnesota Blues Society Recognition Award (1988). Minnesota’s Black Music Award Male Vocalist (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987).

He was featured in Living Blues Magazine in 1997. He has been honored by the State of Minnesota for bringing the blues to Minnesota.

Big Walter made history when he became the first blues musician inducted into the Minnesota’s Music Hall of Fame in New Ulm, MN in 1998. In June 2005 the City of Minneapolis’ Mayor, R.T. Rybak, proclaimed a Big Walter Smith Day.

In 2005 Walter was given an award for 50 years in the music business by the staff of the Dug Out Bar. That same year he was also inducted into the Minnesota Rock Country Hall of fame.

Big Walter’s music career began long before he landed in Minnesota. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1930. He moved to Kansas City, MO. where he met and helped a struggling Albert Collins becoming a life-long friend. He also worked parties with Albert King during the 1960s becoming a life-long friend with him also. He has shared stages with his other favorite’s B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland, whom Big Walter cites as his chief early influences.

Big Walter moved to Minneapolis in 1970 at the invitation of his friend and past band mate Damon Lee. He met his wife and band manager, Shirley, two months later and they’ve been together ever since. Big Walter sang in Damon’s band The Antares for nearly two years at Papa Joe’s Northern Supper Club in Minneapolis. Big Walter has had several other bands, Cross Roads, Big Walter Smith’s Blues revue, and Brass Magic, before settling on the Groove Merchants in 1985.

The current lineup includes long time guitarist Scott Graves, keyboardist Tim Wick, drummer Patrick Hulme, bassist Chris Johnson, Trumpeter Dan Eikmeier and saxophonist Jim Kogl.

Most of the blues musicians in the Twin Cities have played with Big Walter in the past 37 years and hold him in the highest regard.

Big Walter’s first recording was recorded live at the Whiskey Junction, Big Storm Comin’ in 1987. In 1994 he released the Grammy-nominated Brother To The Blues, his tribute to three brothers and friends (Albert Collins, Albert King and Larry “Big Twist” Nolan). The Groove Merchants have been compared to the late Nolan’s group, Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows. Midnight Express was released in 1998, followed by Groovin’ in 2001. Big Walter’s latest release, Running Out Of Time and his re-release of Big Storm Comin’ is out and doing fine for the big man of the blues. Who some say when it comes to “Blues” Big Walter Smith is the Chairman of the Board.

This biography is Copyright © 2000 by Karl Bremer & Blues On Stage. All rights reserved

https://bigwaltersmith.wordpress.com/big-walter-smith-memorial/