Way Back (2006)

About this title: Willie "Big Eyes" Smith is most often recalled as the longtime drummer in the Muddy Waters Band (he occupied the drum chair in the group from 1961 through 1980), but he was a harmonica player well before he was a drummer (his hard-charging harmonica can be heard on Bo Diddley's "Diddy Wah Diddy" from 1955) and he has led his own blues ensembles from time to time. Way Back, a pleasant set recorded in 2005 and produced by Bob Corritore, puts Smith front and center, and while no one would accuse him of being the equal of Muddy Waters as a bandleader, the 73-year-old Smith projects an intangible ... read more

Tracks:

1. Don't Say That No More [Reed]
2. I Don't Trust You Man [Smith]
3. Read Way Back [Morganfield/Oden]
4. Tell Me Mama [Little Walter]
5. If You Don't Believe I'm Leaving [Smith]
6. Lowdown Blues [Smith]
7. Woman's World [Smith]
8. Don't Start Me Talkin' [Williamson]
9. Blues and Trouble [Smith]
10. I Want You to Love Me (Trust Me) [Flynn]
11. Eye to Eye [Smith]

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