I Smell Smoke
2003 studio album by Michael Burks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| I Smell Smoke | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2003 | |||
| Studio | Ardent | |||
| Genre | Blues | |||
| Label | Alligator | |||
| Producer | Michael Burks, Bruce Iglauer, Jim Gaines | |||
| Michael Burks chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
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
| 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
| 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" |