Hear My Blues Explained

Hear My Blues
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Al Smith
Cover:	Hear My Blues.jpg
Released:	1960
Recorded:	September 20, 1959
Studio:	Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	32:35
Label:	Bluesville BVLP 1001
Producer:	Esmond Edwards
Chronology:	Al Smith
Next Title:	Midnight Special
Next Year:	1961

Hear My Blues (subtitled Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Showcases Al Smith) is the debut album by jazz/blues vocalist Al Smith featuring saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis' working group with organist Shirley Scott recorded in 1959 and becoming the first release on the Bluesville label.^{[1] [2] [3]} The album was reissued as Blues Shout! under Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis's name on Prestige in 1964.^[4]

Reception

AllMusic reviewer Alex Henderson stated: "Both of Smith's Bluesville albums are well worth owning, but if you had to pick one of the two, Hear My Blues would the best starting point".

Track listing

All compositions by Al Smith except where noted

1. "Night Time Is the Right Time" (Unknown) – 4:16
2. "Pledging My Love" (Don Robey, Ferdinand Washington) – 2:28
3. "I've Got a Girl" – 4:32
4. "I'll Be Alright" – 3:51
5. "Come On, Pretty Baby" – 2:55
6. "Tears in My Eyes" – 5:58
7. "Never Let Me Go" (Joe Scott) – 5:11
8. "I've Got the Right Kind of Lovin'" – 3:24

Personnel

• Al Smith – vocals
• Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis – tenor saxophone
• Shirley Scott – organ
• Wendell Marshall – bass
• Arthur Edgehill – drums

Notes and References

1. https://www.jazzdisco.org/prestige-records/catalog-bluesville-1000-series/#bvlp-1001 Prestige Records Catalog: Bluesville 1000 series
2. Payne, D. Shirley Scott discography accessed October 31, 2018
3. https://www.bsnpubs.com/fantasy/bluesville/bluesville.html Both Sides Now: Prestige/Bluesville Album Discography
4. https://www.discogs.com/Eddie-Lockjaw-Davis-And-Shirley-Scott-With-Al-Smith-Blues-Shout/release/5867324 Discogs: album entry