Sky Smeed performs at 8 p.m. Friday at Knuckleheads. Tickets are $8.
“I really hate downtime on the road,” the Chanute, Kan.-born musician told us early in the tour. “You have a day off, and you’re like, ‘What do I do?’ This is hard, but I really like it.”
We talked to Smeed about some of the albums that shaped his life and career.
Bob Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks”: “When I first heard that it really sort of set things straight as far as how I wanted music to sound. It blew me away, honestly. There’s so much emotion in that album. Every song is perfect, in my opinion. ‘Buckets of Rain’ is my favorite. But it’s hard to choose.”
THE FIRST ALBUM I BOUGHT WITH MY OWN MONEY
M.C. Hammer, “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ’Em”: “This is a little embarassing. It was a cassette. I was infatuated with MC Hammer when I was, like, 6.”
TWO ALBUMS MY SISTER GAVE ME
Son Volt, “Trace,” and Lucinda Williams, “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road”:“My sister was really into music and she would send albums home to me. I’ll never forget receiving those albums — I wore those things out. I was in high school and they really made me want to start writing songs. ‘Trace’ I think is a masterpiece in its own way.”
ALBUM I’VE LISTENED TO SO MUCH I CAN BARELY STAND TO LISTEN TO IT NOW
Solomon Burke, “Nashville”: “I listened to that thing so much one summer that I can’t stand it anymore. It really sucks because it was unbelievable, but I’ve heard it so much I can’t even go there. It’s a great album. ‘Fast Train,’ when that comes on with the organ, it’s just perfect. But I can’t listen to it anymore.”
AN ALBUM I’LL NEVER TIRE OF LISTENING TO
Guy Clark, “Old No. 1”: “Anything by Guy Clark and John Prine. I’ll never tire of those two. They’re like my companions.”
THE MOST RECENT ALBUM I’VE LISTENED TO
Adam Lee and the Dead Horse Sound Company, “When the Spirits Move Me”:“I trade a lot with musicians, and that’s the most recent one I’ve listened to. It’s really great. Honky Tonk. Drinkin’ songs. Cheatin’ songs. He’s from Kansas City. We’re actually doing a show together at Knuckleheads in July. Adam Lee, myself and Tyler Gregory, who’s also a Kansas City guy.”
MUSIC MY PARENTS USED TO LISTEN TO
Bettye Miller and Milt Abel, “Feelings of Bettye and Milt”: “My parents got it back in the ’70s. Bettye and Milt were like a husband and wife duo. Maybe I love it because I know fans used to go chill out and have a few drinks and listen to them, but it’s awesome. Beautiful.”
UNCLE TUPELO, SON VOLT OR WILCO?
“Son Volt’s ‘Trace’ is great, but I have to go with Wilco. I think Jay Farrar is kind of a grump, and I think Wilco is so much more fun and they seem to evolve. I don’t think Son Volt did anything great after ‘Straightaways.’ ”
THE SONG THAT HELPED ME FIND MY VOICE AS A SONGWRITER
Gram Parsons, “Return of the Grievous Angel”: “I’m not really sure why, but the feel and just the way he sang stuff, I really gravitated toward that.”
ALBUM I WISH I HAD WRITTEN
Muddy Waters, “I’m Ready”: “I’m not sure of the players, but it’s got this really great group of dudes. I love the way Muddy Waters sings and the way they all just jam. It’s just hard-core, stompin’ blues.”
| David Frese, The Star
All of his musical references are great!
Posted by: onthemark | June 20, 2012 at 11:42 AM
Yeah, albums and musicians that I actually heard of, proof that Mr.Smeed can't be very hip, I guess. Saw him open for (I think it was) Jason Isbell at Knuckleheads and he wasn't bad. Also heard a song by him on the KKFI the other morning that was actually quite good.
btw, Solomon Burke's "Nashville" and the preceding album, "Don't Give Up On Me" are as good as any roots records ever made. Amazing.
Posted by: pellboy | June 20, 2012 at 12:57 PM
Wow! His sister gave him "Car Wheels" and "Trace"? Man, I'm getting old!
Agreed that he has fine references. In case he is reading this, "I'm Ready" had Johnny Winter (who also produced it), Pinetop, Margolin, Big Walter Horton and Willie Big Eye Smith on drums I think. Maybe Cotton on harmonica?
Posted by: NEW | June 20, 2012 at 01:04 PM
I thought the exact same thing NEW. We are getting old... But it's all good.
Posted by: joe | June 20, 2012 at 02:01 PM
I believe Cotton played the harp on "Hard Again" with Big Walter handling those duties on "I'm Ready". Also, Margolin switched over to bass for I'm Ready bringing in Jimmy Rogers to play lead. Both produced by Winter, both brilliant. Good call, NEW.
Posted by: pellboy | June 20, 2012 at 02:04 PM
Right PB. I think I was confusing it with "Hard Again". Cotton was definitely on Hard Again". I didn't realize Margolin switched over to bass to make room for Jimmy Rogers. Good to know. Either way, those two albums had one of the best later day blues lineups ever. Only Fathers and Sons (w/Bloomfield, Buddy Miles and Otis Spann) and London Howlin Wolf Sessions rival it, IMHO.
One of the greatest shows ever seen by a young NEW was Muddy, Johnny and James Cotton at the Paladium around that same time. '78 I think.
Posted by: NEW | June 20, 2012 at 02:38 PM
I dont do this often.... but...
Is there anyway that BTR might show some love and respect to good ole Jim Dnady coming to Kansas City this Sunday night to play at the Riot Room for a one off show.
If you check the Black Oak Arkansas/Jim Dandy web sites it indicates no shows except this one, so I dont know what is going, but is should be interesting and fun to see.
Come on BTR maybe call him,
get a phone interview, or something,
see whats happening...
Lets show JIM DANDY some love.
JIM DANDY TO THE RESCUE!!!!
GO JIM DANDY>>>> GO>>>>>
Be there, this Sunday at Riot Room,
and as a bonus and guaranteeing a lose deal, local KC badasses "The Grisly hand" opens the show.
Posted by: Jim Dandy to the Rescue | June 20, 2012 at 04:00 PM
in the mean time....
"When electricity came to Arkansas"....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBnUC8p2wgw
and more, much more...
check it out
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+oak+arkansas&oq=black+oak&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_l=youtube.1.0.0l10.2741.6428.0.8206.9.6.0.3.3.0.73.352.6.6.0...0.0.d7xBVsnSZYs
Posted by: Black Oak Arkansas | June 20, 2012 at 04:08 PM
Tommy Bolin's brother is the drummer for Black Oak Arkansas and they usually play 'Post Toastee' at the gigs.....and Jim Dandy is still a great performer....I talked to his manager yesterday and we are going to try and get him in studio at KKFI sometime in the next month or so....Black Oak is also playing August 4th at Cricket Amp.............
Posted by: Stormin' Norman | June 20, 2012 at 11:18 PM
Interesting news, thnak you.
I wish you could read this first and then asked him about "why this one-off show on Sunday in Kansas City?"... unless... hmmmmm.... does Jim live in KC now?
Posted by: Uncle Lijiah | June 21, 2012 at 12:10 AM
Hmmm... I didnt know Cricket was, so I was looking it up, figuring it must be in... who know?....
but lo and behold SandStone is now called Cricket... and this show might be kind of fun....
Grand Funk Railroad, Shooting Star, Pat Travers, Black Oak Arkansas, and Racy Grace.
http://cricketwirelessamp.com/events/single/summer-car-jam/
Posted by: Uncle Lijiah | June 21, 2012 at 12:15 AM
WHOA!!!! and check out prices!!
Only $30 per carload in advance - As many people as you can legally fit in your car. Ticket price includes admission for everyone in your car, parking, and all Ticketmaster fees!
WOW!!! ME LIKES THAT PRICE A LOT!!
Posted by: Uncle Lijiah | June 21, 2012 at 12:18 AM
Yeah, thought about hitting the Riot Room show and while I'm sure that Black Oak set will be far superior, hard to pass up the $30 carload price for that Cricket show. Pat Travers still puts on a pretty good show.
Posted by: pellboy | June 21, 2012 at 07:35 AM
"I don’t think Son Volt did anything great after ‘Straightaways.’ ”
I don't agree with that at all and am one of that small minority that prefers Jay Farrar's work to Mister Tweedy's. I haven't truly enjoyed a Wilco album since "Summerteeth," but that's just me. Once Jay Bennett got the boot and Nels Cline joined the band (his 'genius' is lost on me), I pretty much tuned out. But as onthemark mentions, Smeed has good taste in music.....
Posted by: Geordan | June 21, 2012 at 01:15 PM
"hard to pass up the $30 carload price for that Cricket show."
================================
You can say that again!!! sounds like a good day to turn back the clock and get a lil nutty for a day....
The last time I heard about anyone doing car load prices was back at good ole Fairyland park when they started hosting rock shows towards the end...
Posted by: RR | June 21, 2012 at 05:19 PM
I'd like to second that request to interview Jim 'Dandy; Mangrum if at all possible. Black Oak was my first concert, back at Cowtown Ballroom.
Don't know how many bands are on the bill with Black Oak, but Gregg from 'Federation of Horsepower' just mentioned he'd picked up an opening slot for them.
As far as Sky Smeed is concerned, he's a really talented performer and one of the nicer folks I've met at Knuckleheads. (and I've met a bunch.)
I encourage folks to see him.
Posted by: Corky | June 21, 2012 at 11:26 PM
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Posted by: thomasaleena | June 22, 2012 at 04:08 AM
I believe Jim Dandy lives in Memphis still,the sunday Riot Room was a stretch in the first place since they don't book a lot of acts like BOA. By the way the guitar player is great too.I did interview Jim Dandy on air about 5 years ago,got the intro out and he didn't stop talking for about 20 minutes-everyone still tells me it was the best 'interview' they ever heard!!! His manager tells me he is really excited to do another one-it's a done deal and hopefully a real gas also.
Posted by: Stormin' Norman | June 22, 2012 at 11:35 PM
Right on Corky and Stormin Norman, We'll see(hear) you guys down there tomorrow night.
Black Oak Arkansas was my first concert too. I was taken to Municipal Auditorium way back in the day to see Black Oak Arkansas open for Humble Pie. I was too young to fully understand how HUGE it was, but I had a great time and rock and roll shows have been my hobby ever since.
It is too bad that BTR gives no love to real rock and roll (they never have) but it is well known, and understood, what type of sounds they like here (the twangyer and mellower the better, for them)(while they tend to look their noses down to a trail blazers like Jim Dandy)(instead giving press to children like the whats-his-name headlining this post)... oh well, at least they allow us to hijack these to talk about what we like and spead the word... maybe someday BTR will hire a real rock and roll music lover to be on staff here, but for now we will continue to rely on fan posters to do the job.
Posted by: RR | June 23, 2012 at 07:46 PM
Aw, c'mon bro.
I know this thread turns to fighting more often than not but I for one got nothing but love & respect for the folks here.
Tim & Bill in particular are at more shows than I can imagine even wanting to attend.
And judging from the reviews I have to believe they're serious rock fans.
BTW, I spoke with Gregg from Federation and got it wrong. They aren't an opener on Sunday after all.
Pellboy, if yer reading this please introduce yourself sometime. I imagine we've surely seen each other at a show somewhere in the past!
I'm headed down right now to Knuck's to catch Nick Moss & the Fliptops.
One GREAT band. Chicago blues.
Posted by: Corky | June 23, 2012 at 08:37 PM
Fighting? huh?
I think I was misunderstood, I was more cheersing you... and added that other part about (their tastes in music and) how it is posters like you who really make BTR fully what it is. It is easy to see from years of reading their reviews what kind of music they truly enjoy, and what they review because it is their job.
I was not starting a fight, heck I would bet they would NOT deny their tastes in music, and it is not even a big deal. I simply said it would be nice to have a... ah anyway... we gots what we gots, and it works, with the help of the comments section, without all of the great poster's comments I would not visit here nearly as often... they balance it all out.
Posted by: RR | June 24, 2012 at 05:48 AM
"I'm headed down right now to Knuck's to catch Nick Moss & the Fliptops."
I went last night and it was my first time seeing Nick, and man, that guy kicks ass! He did a 90 minute set, took a break, came back for another set that lasted almost 90 minutes, and then came back for a third set! I heard he was going to play another hour, but I was drenched in sweat, as the Gospel Lounge was pretty crowded and it was a bit hot in there, so I went out side and caught a few songs from R&B covers band, Atlantic Express and then split. But I gotta say that for Eight bucks, you rarely get to see someone play for four hours these days. Nick's band was also damn good. Mike Ledbetter sharing vocals and guitar with Nick was a definite standout. That was an awesome Blues show last night......
Posted by: Geordan | June 24, 2012 at 09:20 AM
Yessir, those 'Fliptop' guys were excellent alright. Frank will have them back for sure. True musicians.
To 'RR'...please know I wasn't implying any body was fighting me or my opinions here. We are all fans first. I know you're very much a 'brother from another mother'
Live music IS my life. What I was referring to was so many of the other threads that so often turn into bickering & fighting.
Something about 'woodchips and porta-potties' at some venue in town?
Frankly, I imagine nearly everyone who posts here has been in the same room for a show in KC at one time or another. Spilled bong water at Cowtown. Smuggled a sheepskin full of wine into a Summerjam show at Arrowhead. Like when I saw Black Oak there. 1973? Utopia was on that bill. A long way from then to tonight at Riot...
Or met at one of our late beloved record retailers like Capers Corner, Budget Records,Love, Blue Rock, etc.
It's been a beautiful life of music, for sure. My favorite of course is Todd Rundgren, who I have followed for 40+ years. The most recent show was a date with the Rockford orchestra a few weeks back. Killer!
Anyways..I applaud Tim for this great forum. It's a great place for misty eyed old farts like me to speak my mind. Thanks pal. Yer a great guy too.
Posted by: Corky | June 24, 2012 at 05:36 PM
It was 1975 that Utopia opened for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Black Oak Arkansas-Jim Dandy came riding up to the stage on a horse,he told me that the horse freaked out on the yard markers and was jumping every five or ten yards and he was holding on for his life. Three bands that couldn't be more different at that show....that's how it was back in that era.......
Posted by: Stormin' Norman | June 24, 2012 at 07:25 PM
Yeah, sorry I missed Nick and Fliptops but I got back to town too late to make the effort last night. Sounds like an old school blues show with the 3 full sets, recalls the GE during it's glory days when I would head down there as late as midnight after a night of partying and still enjoy a full 90 minutes of redhot blues for a reduced rate. Heck, Retro Lounge even a tad close to the original cramped GE sizewise. I miss those days. And yeah, I'll look you up sometime Corky as I'm sure our paths will probably cross this summer. And Geordan, I'm now wavering on the Beat myself. My friend baled on me, never did grab an advanced ticket and if able to go tonight, it will be later than I hoped so we'll see. I'll review if I'm able to make it.
Posted by: pellboy | June 25, 2012 at 07:48 AM
Corky, count me in amongst the group who saw BOA for their first concert. August 19, 1974 at Arrowhead. The show was actually postponed one night due to storms. The stage was set up so it faced the sideline.
Openers were Kansas, who had just released their first album. Second group was Foghat, who I also liked. And the headliners were Black Oak Arkansas!
Wow, coming up on 38 years of live music. My how time flies...
Posted by: onthemark | June 25, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Hope you get to catch The English Beat, Pellboy. I talked to someone last Friday at Knuckleheads who was at The Romantics show last monday and told me that they sold about 80 tickets. I figured there would be more to see them. Had it been on a weekend night, they would have easily tripled that number or more. Speaking of Knuckleheads, the Merle Haggard show is officially sold out. I was back and forth about buying a ticket and now I no longer need to worry, because I'm not going. That reliable source at Knux told me that 1,200 tickets were sold for that show. They can sell more now that the added seats on the roof of the joint has increased space and that would be 200 more than were at Los Lobos last year, who will also likely sell out the place this year.
Posted by: Geordan | June 25, 2012 at 01:24 PM
Yeah, was wondering about that Romantics ahow, sorry to hear about such a small crowd as I think they deserve much better based on body of work alone. While I applaud Frank for bringing in more diverse acts such as them, Matlock/Cornwell, the Fleshtones and now The Beat, I too wish at some point they could catch a more prime night (if not a weekend, at least perhaps a Thurs.night) so as to pull in a few more folks. I think those 80s-era acts also suffer from a lack of promotion. There seems to be no real outlet such as KKFI, blues calendars and such to get the word out to fans of those acts, especially when playing what has previously been a non-traditional venue for those types of acts. Oh well, I still hope to get down there tonight and I hope Frank continues to work bring bands like The Beat/Romantics down to the East Bottoms.
Posted by: pellboy | June 25, 2012 at 01:57 PM
The Romantics show would have been better suited to the Recordbar, then I probably would've gone.
Posted by: wadkc | June 25, 2012 at 06:01 PM
Pellboy, if yer reading this please introduce yourself sometime. I imagine we've surely seen each other at a show somewhere in the past!The Beat, I too wish at some point they could catch a more prime night (if not a weekend, at least perhaps a Thurs.night) so as to pull in a few more folks.
It was a glorious day. So much fun!!!It doesn't get much better than that!
Posted by: Jeremy Scott | June 26, 2012 at 11:01 PM