I Smell Smoke
| I Smell Smoke | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2003 | |||
| Studio | Ardent | |||
| Genre | Blues | |||
| Label | Alligator | |||
| Producer | Michael Burks, Bruce Iglauer, Jim Gaines | |||
| Michael Burks chronology | ||||
| ||||
I Smell Smoke is an album by the American musician Michael Burks, released in 2003.[1][2] It was his second album for Alligator Records.[3] I Smell Smoke peaked at No. 12 on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart.[4] Burks supported it with a North American tour.[5] I Smell Smoke was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for best "Contemporary Blues Album".[6]
Production[edit]
Recorded at Ardent Studios, in Memphis, the album was produced by Burks, Bruce Iglauer, and Jim Gaines.[7][8] The son of a blues musician, Burks was told "the right way to play" guitar by family friends such as Albert Collins and Freddie King.[9] Burks felt that emotional conviction was more important than guitar technique, and would often work out the songs in a darkened room.[10] It was also important to Burks that the music remain more in a blues idiom than blues rock.[11] "Let the Door Knob Hit You" is a cover of the Latimore song.[12]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [12] |
| Fort Worth Star-Telegram | B−[13] |
| The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings | [14] |
The Charleston Daily Mail wrote that "Burks takes his blues roots and channels them into a stinging blend of soul and R&B with some Santana-esque overtones."[15] The Age noted that, "buried deep in Michael Burks' soul are the relics of Stax Records' heady early-'70s period, when Albert King was riding high with his Gibson Flying V guitar."[16] The Tallahassee Democrat said that "Burks' deep, soulful voice is the perfect counterpoint to the music's smoldering sound."[17] The Fort Worth Star-Telegram concluded that "the songs are better this time around."[13]
AllMusic wrote that, "with a tone sounding at times like Eric Clapton's psychedelic work in Cream and a rugged four-piece band supporting him, this is a tough, uncompromising contemporary blues/blues-rock/R&B album that doesn't pull punches."[12]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "All Your Affection Is Gone" | |
| 2. | "One More Chance" | |
| 3. | "I Smell Smoke" | |
| 4. | "Time I Came In Out of the Rain" | |
| 5. | "Hard Love" | |
| 6. | "Miss Mercy" | |
| 7. | "Let the Door Knob Hit You" | |
| 8. | "Lie to Me" | |
| 9. | "Willing to Crawl" | |
| 10. | "I Hope He's Worth My Pain" | |
| 11. | "Good Man, Bad Thing" | |
| 12. | "Snake Eggs" |
References[edit]
- ^ Brothers, Michael A. (19 June 2003). "In the Groove". Springfield News-Leader. p. C1.
- ^ Stoehr, John (27 June 2003). "Blues Marked by the Three Kings". Savannah Morning News. p. 11V.
- ^ Basler, George (24 July 2003). "For Burks, the blues is the true 'Music of Your Life'". Press & Sun-Bulletin. p. GT3.
- ^ "Billboard Top Blue Albums". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 27. Jul 5, 2003. p. 64.
- ^ Nelson, Rick (27 June 2003). "On Wednesday, Alligator Records guitarist and singer...". Entertainment. The News Tribune. p. 5.
- ^ "Handy Award Nominees". The Commercial Appeal. 15 Jan 2004. p. B6.
- ^ Ellis, Bill (10 Oct 2003). "Other potent guitar players...". The Commercial Appeal. p. G2.
- ^ Yeager, Angela (25 Nov 2004). "Rock out with Michael Burks". Statesman Journal. p. O3.
- ^ Bledsoe, Wayne (7 Jan 2005). "King of clubs". Preview. Knoxville News Sentinel. p. 4.
- ^ Gold, Jude (Jun 2004). "Michael Burks on Growing Up with the Blues". Guitar Player. Vol. 38, no. 6. p. 32.
- ^ Hughes, Andrew S. (9 Mar 2007). "Guitarist feels vibe, then passes it on with audience in mind". Weekend. South Bend Tribune. p. 1.
- ^ a b c "I Smell Smoke Review by Hal Horowitz". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ a b Ferman, Dave (17 Oct 2003). "Disc Notes". Star Time. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 25.
- ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin. 2006. p. 90.
- ^ Lipton, Michael (19 June 2003). "Michael Burks I Smell Smoke". Charleston Daily Mail. p. 2D.
- ^ Reilly, Terry (29 Aug 2003). "I Smell Smoke". Entertainment Guide. The Age. p. 8.
- ^ Schardl, Kati (31 Oct 2003). "Burks works". Tallahassee Democrat. p. D19.