Moses "Whispering" Smith
Moses "Whispering" Smith (January 25, 1932 – April 28, 1984)[2] was an American blues harmonicist and singer.[2] He recorded tracks including "A Thousand Miles from Nowhere" and "Texas Flood" and worked with Lightnin' Slim and with Silas Hogan. He was inducted into the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame.[2]
Moses "Whispering" Smith | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Moses Smith |
| Born | January 25, 1932 Union Church, Mississippi, United States |
| Died | April 28, 1984 (aged 52) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States |
| Genres | Swamp blues Louisiana blues[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Harmonicist, singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Harmonica, vocals |
| Labels | Excello |
Biography
Smith was born in Union Church, Mississippi.[2]
In the 1960s, Smith played harmonica on recordings by the swamp blues notables Lightnin' Slim and Silas Hogan,[3] before he was able to record some tracks of his own. At this time he worked with the record producer J. D. "Jay" Miller, based in Crowley, Louisiana, and his recordings were released by Excello Records. His singles included the songs "Mean Woman Blues", and "Don't Leave Me Baby" and the B-side instrumental tracks "Live Jive" and "Hound Dog Twist".[1][4]
Although he was a powerful singer and a straight but unsophisticated harmonica player,[3] his success was diminished by his emergence when swamp blues was declining in popularity. He recorded his final solo album for Excello, Over Easy, in 1971.[4] Two years later, he toured Europe as part of American Blues Legends '73, contributing two tracks to the Big Bear Records album of the same name.[5]
Smith died in April 1984 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the age of 52.[2]
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | "Mean Woman Blues" | Excello Records |
| 1963 | "Don't Leave Me Baby" | Excello Records |
| 1964 | "Cryin' Blues" | Excello Records |
| 1964 | "Baby You're Mine" | Excello Records |
| 1971 | "Why Am I Treated So Bad" | Excello Records |
| 1984 | "Just Like a Woman" | Sunland Records |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Label | Song by Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Louisiana Blues | Arhoolie Records | "On the Dark Road Crying" |
| 1973 | American Blues Legends '73 | Big Bear Records | "Take Me Back Baby" and "Texas Flood" |
| 1989 | Louisiana Swamp Blues | Flyright Records | "Baby Left Me This Morning" |
References
- Unterberger, Richie (2003). "Louisiana Blues". In V. Bogdanov, C. Woodstra, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, eds. All Music Guide to the Blues: The Definitive Guide to the Blues (3d ed.). Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-736-6
- Doc Rock. "The 1980s". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
- Herzhaft, Gérard (1997). Encyclopedia of the Blues (2nd ed.). Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press. p. 76. ISBN 1-55728-452-0.
- "Whispering Smith Discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
- Simpson, Jim (2019). Don't Worry' Bout The Bear. Brewin. ISBN 978-1-85858-700-4.
- "Whispering Smith, Over Easy: Credits". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
- "Arhoolie Records Discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
- "Flyright Records Discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 2014-01-27.