WET WILLIE / KEEP ON SMILIN'

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1974 on Capricorn records. (played quite frequently in it's day, hence the Rice Krispies effect in places)

ALBUM INFO:

Produced by: Tom Dowd

Recorded at: Capricorn Studios, Macon, GA.

Bit Rate - 320 Kbps

Format - Mp3

TRACK LISTING:

Country Side Of Life

Keep On Smilin'

Trust In The Lord

Soul Sister
Alabama

Lucy Was In Trouble

Soul Jones

Don't Wait Too Long

Spanish Moss

In Our Hearts

BAND LINEUP:

Jimmy Hall, vocals, harmonica, saxophone

Jack Hall on bass

John Anthony on keyboards

Ricky Hirsch on guitar

Lewis Ross on drums and percussion.

WEBSITE:

http://www.ktb.net/~insync/wet_willie.html

REVIEW:

Bruce Eder

The definitive Wet Willie studio album, bluesier than a lot of their other work, and much of it also somewhat more laidback. Beginning with "Country Side of Life," athe band sounds tight, tuned, and in top form. Their playing is clean and crisp, and the vocals exude a bold confidence. The hit title track is a compelling reggae-country meld that's one of the more interesting and long-wearing country-rock hits of its period. It's surrounded by gospel-flavored material and also one of the neater Stax-influenced tracks ever put down by a white band, "Soul Sister," which is also a great showcase for the Williettes. Other highlights include the acoustic country ballad "Alabama," a major change of pace for this band with some clever lyrical conceits; the ultra-funky "Soul Jones" (which manages to work in a quote from the Allman Brothers), and the soulful rocker "Lucy Was In Trouble," which became a key part of the group's concert sets. The only drawback is that the group didn't quite have enough material to cover a whole album here, and also is a little too loose compared with their live performances, as on Drippin' Wet. The 1998 Capricorn remastering has an especially full sound, improving significantly on the original LP.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom