PAT SMILLIE BAND

Down by the River

Fat Back Records

By Eric Steiner

Full disclosure:  I just want Chicago Blues Guide.com readers to know that I’m biased.  Pat Smillie is one of my favorite “just under the radar” soul blues singers, and I am pleased to shout about his latest CD, Down by the River.

I first heard Pat and his big-band sound at the Best Buy stage at the Chicago Blues Festival, and I try to catch him live whenever I can.  He’s been a regular in the Voodoo Lounge at Red Fish on North State Street, and the Harlem Avenue Lounge in Berwyn. He took a well-deserved break this Fall, but I’m pleased to report that Pat Smillie is back in action.

Down by the River is Pat’s follow-up to his excellent 2003 CD, Letter to Hampton.  River is Pat’s third release, and it features a dozen soul-drenched blues songs.  He’s got many world-class guests helping him out, including the Chicago Playboys’ horn section led by Big James (now signed to the Blind Pig label), Ryan Hinshaw on fiddle, the legendary Alice Stuart on lead and rhythm guitar, and fellow Chicagoan and noted blues elder Corky Siegel on harmonica.  Along with Pat Smillie’s band, they have put out a radio-ready CD of originals and covers. 

I keep coming back to “Snaggle Tooth,” “Broke Down Chevy” and “Gonna Start a Rumor,” because each of these songs should land on a blues station near you.  Pat’s covers of George Harrison’s “Isn’t It A Pity” and “You Can’t Lose What You Never Had” by Muddy Waters are all infused with a deep sense of soul.  At his live shows, Pat turns the Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See?” into a simmering blues song, and the covers on Down By the River get that same soul blues treatment as Pat effectively effectively translates that country rock chestnut and the title cut of a classic Neil Young dirge into soul blues numbers.   

Check out sights and sounds from Pat on his web site, www.patsmillie.com. There are stories, sound samples aplenty and pictures of Pat out on the town.  More importantly, support live music locally and go check out the Pat Smillie Band live!

Come out and see the Pat Smillie Band at Blue Bayou, 3734 N. Southport, on Friday November 21^st – there’s no cover charge and the music starts at 10 PM!

Eric Steiner is President of the Washington Blues Society (www.wablues.org ) and a Blues Supporter member of The Blues Foundation (www.blues.org).  The Washington Blues Society is a recipient of a Keeping the Blues Alive Award in the Blues Organization category and will be honored at the KBA luncheon in Memphis in February of 2009.