Bag Full of Blues (1995)

About this title: The former Muddy Waters drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith turns in an enjoyable, but unremarkable, set of Chicago blues with Bag Full of Blues. Supported by Pinetop Perkins and Fabulous Thunderbirds harpist Kim Wilson, Smith runs through a set of mid-tempo blues, combining some competent originals with covers like "Baby Please Don't Go." There's not many solos -- Wilson mainly shines, while guitarists James Wheeler, Nick Moss, and Gareth Best all contribute small, pithy leads -- but the grooves are nice and relaxed. Bag Full of Blues may not be a jaw-dropper, but it does have some fine moments. ... read more

Tracks:

1. Tell Me Mama [Little Walter]
2. Hard Times [Smith]
3. Sure as You Live
4. Believe Me [Smith]
5. Baby Please Don't Go [Morganfield]
6. Tired of Crying [Howlin' Wolf]
7. Hard Hard Way [Melio/Smith]
8. Reap What You Sow [Smith]
9. WSKW Special [Smith/Wilson]
10. I Want My Baby Back [Smith]
11. Here I Am [Smith]
12. Trust Me [Flynn]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.