LAVAY SMITH & HER RED HOT SKILLET LICKERS

MISS SMITH TO YOU

2009-09-06

It has been nine long years since we have been graced by a new CD from Lavay Smith & her red hot skillet lickers. This CD was well worth the wait. Lavay breathes new life into classics like the Duke Ellington tracks “It Don’t Mean a Thing” and “It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues” The Bluesy sounds of Clarence Williams track “Need A Little Sugar in My Bowl” and a rendition of “When The Saints Come Marching In” that will surely start a Bourbon Street Parade. As impressive as these covers are the three original tracks “Daddy” dedicated to the great Ray Charles features some terrific piano and trumpet solos. “With My Man” is dedicated to one of Lavays heroes and mentors Etta James. This is a slower jazz ballad that when closing your eyes you can picture an early Etta James singing in a Smokey bar. “I’m Not Evil” is an upbeat bluesy track dedicated to the incomparable Dinah Washington. With this disc Miss Smith has placed her name with the greatest jazz singers past and present and earned our respect. Her red hot band the skillet lickers may be the hottest backing band in the jazz world today. Reviewed By; Gregg Saur

Quick Links:

• Lavay's Home Page
• Amazon