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What can I say about the unique, multi-talented Norman Hurricane Smith? He is a pop music renaissance man, if you must know -- a singer, musician, composer, producer, engineer and a great guy, who has been an inspiration of mine for many, many years; and, this little CD distinguishes itself as an invaluable compilation of some of his best stuff which has spanned a few decades and labels. The analogue-to-CD transfers are top quality, although he personally informs me that this is an unauthorised bootleg from which he sees neither a pence nor pound. Here is a guy who has been a component part of the pop music scene since the immediate postwar big bands, thru the '50s, '60s and onwards. He was the Beatles' first proper engineer at Abbey Road, produced Pink Floyd, Pretty Things and other top British bands; then, when all that started to bore him, started producing his own stuff to the amazement of the suits at EMI who, when confronted with his first demo, thought he was a Black American soul singer! Amazing -- improve your outlook on life and music. Do yourself a favour and listen to Hurricane Smith who, as we speak, is still writing, producing and singing new music with his son, Nick; now, let's get this man a proper record label! -- Rich Phoenix
The Album Zone
www.albumzone.net

I bought the 8-track version back in '73 and though I transfered it to a Cassette, it broke long time ago and I've been looking for it ever since. I't beautiful. Remember, never trust an 8-track nor a cassette.

Hurricane Smith has a voice that is right up there with Willie Nelson, Guy Clark and Bob Dylan. In other words, it ain't exactly kosher. But my, oh my, can this man sing!
My only copy of this album on cassette ate itself and I am in mourning!

Way back in '73 there wasn't a Juke Joint in Baltimore City that didn't have a Juke Box that was nightly screaming out "Oh Babe,what would you say", and I loved it. I first saw Hurricane sing on the old Mike Douglas TV show when I was home on leave from the Merchant Marines. He had that long hair swinging as he was singing his heart out in a three piece suit (those were the days).My thoughts were ,man,this guys pretty good. And indeed he was! In a short while all the city and waterfront bar rooms that I visited had him on their Juke Box and many couples shook a leg to his timely music. I even remember giving the Bartender at a small joint in Baltimore called "Vi's Brown Derby" a bunch of crap for letting the music guy take the 45 record off the Juke Box when it's time was up. Well I quit drinking a couple of years after that and now I spend a lot of time playing with my grandchildern-but through out all these years the music of Hurricain Smith still sounds the same, this set is a real keeper and wheather you want to call his singing either Rock or Redneck it still remains pretty darn good (just ask my Grandchildren).