Customer Reviews

Big Smith

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Big Rock is Big Smith's third CD and they just keep getting better. The band has a completely original sound, which has been difficult for folks to label. Bluegrass, Folk, Blues, even Rock, and definitely Hillibilly, no phrase seems to completely nail down the sound. The band, all cousins, pays homage to their Ozarks roots through their music, but their appeal goes beyond geography. The band appeals to young and old alike. At any one of their shows you can find grandpas, hippies, rednecks, preppies, and, of course, more than a few hillbillies who find it hard to keep still when Big Smith starts rockin'. "Fickle Hearted Man" and "Die, Dead, Die" will get you on your feet. The band takes foray into more gentle feelings with the beautifully simple, "She Let's Me In." By the way, most, if not all, of the songs are penned by band members. Big Smith is the hottest thing around, and Big Rock is a delight from beginning to end.

Big Rock, while moving beyond the cousin's hillbilly roots in instruments, keeps the vibe of the Ozarks that their firt record had. While the addition of electric guitars and organs may shock some of their fans, Big Rock continues to have the feel of a backwoods party. The best track on the album is their cover of Red Meat's "12" 3 Speed Oscilating Fan" which far surpasses the original. While many of the songs like "Big Rock" and "Preacher" reflect the mountain life, this record moves beyond those themes with songs like "No Sir" (a moving song about cops and racism) and "John Elvis". Big Rock shows that Big Smith is capable of doing more than one type of song and doing those songs well.

Their lyrics are poetic. Their delivery is raw. Their music is happiness. Put on your overalls, take off your shoes, and dance dance dance.

I just happen to be in a bar on a sales trip to Joplin, MO and heard these guys play. They were wonderful!! Thier music is true to its roots and everyone should have this album. I just need to find out how to get them a gig in Ohio.

I've been listening to these boys from the Ozarks since they started playing hopped-up bluegrass at the South Avenue Pizza Company back in Springfield, Missouri. On Big Rock, their sound shifts from fast-paced fun on '12" 3-Speed Oscillating Fan,' to the introspective and lonely-sounding 'John Elvis.' The craftsmanship of the music is excellent (as always), but the lyrics become more socially aware. In 'No Sir' Mark and Jody Bilyeau write, "The only words in spanish, on highway 44, say checkpoint straight ahead so you know who they're lookin' for/ but tell me why does not one say, bienvenidos, enjoy your stay/ you can't tell me that there's no other way" a sharp jab at narrow-minded attitudes. In 'Backwater,' Mark Bilyeau takes a hard look at rural Missouri before concluding that he and his mate will "settle down and raise 'em (their children) right here in this backwater." The musical styles are widely varied. 'She lets me in' is a soft, acoustic ballad, 'Big Rock' has an electric country-blues sound, and 'What Has Happened' carries a piano-driven flavor similar to 1890's saloon music. Add it all together, and you have a well-crafted, musically and lyrically literate album that showcases the broad talents of this truly original band.

This band has a sound that stands out in the music world. Take a little bit of hillbilly, mix in some Johnny Cash and Wille Nelson, then add great instrumentation and lyrics and you've got Big Smith. "No, Sir", "Preacher", "Big Rock" and "Backwater" are just some of the well-written songs on this album. If you're a little bit country, and a little bit rock-n-roll, you're gonna love this band.

I regret discovering Big Smith relatively late because now that they are disbanding, I have less time with them. However, as I revisit this album time and again, it seems fresh and traditional simultaneously. I have had the fortune to see them live several times and they are consistently phenomenal. Whether they are playing their original works, Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, The Clash's Should I stay or Should I Go, they make it sound as though it was a century old. I never thought that I would PREFER a bluegrass rendition of a punk song, but it sounds as though it always should have featured a washboard. My broken heart over the breakup will heal, but I will have to hold onto hope that someone new will step up and lead the way. Carolina Chocolate Drops? Trampled by Turtles?

I bought this for my year-old niece and have since bought 10 because I received such rave reviews from my sister's not-so-hillbilly friends in Connecticut. Now I give one to every kid I know. Not only is it baby/kid-friendly, but it's NOT one of those children's albums that makes grown-ups want to drive off a cliff. The dance/singalong cd is hilarious and the lullaby cd is so sweet. My review doesn't do the album justice so you should just trust me and order a few of them. And while you're at it, get every other Big Smith album you can on Amazon. Or you can go to mayapple.com to get all their albums (sorry, Amazon).

Although this is a children's cd (and we don't have any), my husband and I bought this album anyway, just because we wanted all the Big Smith we could get! It is fantastic, with many toe-tappers that you will find yourself humming all the time. With lyrics like, "Hagalina, Magalina, Hootensteiner, Walkensteiner, Hogan Logan Mogan was her name", who wouldn't love it!? My personal favorite is the song, "Leap as you run", which inspires the child in all of us to reclaim the joy in life. The album also has various well-loved children's songs. Whether you need some good healthy music for the kids or for yourself, buy this!

SONGS - DISC ONE (46:19): 1. ABC's, 2. Hay is For Horses, 3. Hay is For Horses Reprise, 4. Leap As You Run, 5. Cheese Enchilada, 6. Itsy Bitsy Spider, 7. Easy Greasy, 8. Brian O'Lynn, 9. Concernin' Murder, 10. There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea 11. Round Medley, 12. 20 Froggies, 13. I Married My Wife in the Month of June, 14. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, 15. Cross-Eyed Gal, 16. The Whale Swallowed Jonah, 17. The Scarecrow Song, 18. Ring Around the Rosy, 19. Kookaburra, 20. Hagaleena, Hagaleena 21. She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain, 22. I'm Blue Eyed, I'm Black Eyed, 23. Great Big Silver Airplane, 24. Old MacDonald, 25. Susie Little Susie, 26. Forks of the Branch, 27. Bone Terry and the Paw Paw Patch, 28. Paw Paw Patch Revisited, 29. Giddyap Hoedown

DISC TWO (37:39): 1. When I'm One, 2. I See the Moon, 3. Hush Little Baby, 4. Cady's Lullaby, 5. Night Light, 6. Go Tell Aunt Rhody, 7. Little Cowboy's Lullaby, 8. Do Nothing At All, 9. Rocky Baby, 10. Sweetly the Swan Sings, 11. Sandman's A-Comin', 12. Hush-a-Bye Owlet, 13. Forest Animal Lullaby

Big Smith, an acoustic string band from Springfield, MO., is made up of five cousins. Rik Thomas is joined by two sets of brothers -- Mark and Jody Bilyeu, Jay and Mike Williamson. They play a wide a variety of folk instruments -- guitar, harmonica, mandolin, accordion, piano, washboard, drums, spoons, bones, bass, trumpet, trombone, tuba, mouthbow, dulcimer, triangle, tin whistle, and clip-clops. The instrumental, vocal and song trichotomy are broad and gives this long project a comfortable feel. For example, "Rocky Baby" has some synthesizer, and a few tracks later it's a toy piano that's featured on the "Forest Animal Lullaby." Also, lead vocals are shared among the bandmates. Big Smith is joined by cousin Bill Thomas on banjo and Molly Healey on fiddle. Other family members also participate. Playing professionally since 1996, Big Smith's raucous music that captures the spirit of the Ozarks has built them a fair number of fans, especially in that region of the U.S. Some recent tours have also taken them further abroad to California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Louisiana.

"From Hay to Zzzzzz: Hillbilly Songs for Kids" is their fifth album project and includes two CDs - one for playtime, the other for sleepy time. Some of the songs are very familiar. "ABCs," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Ring Around the Rosy," and "Old MacDonald" are sung by their six kids, the Little Smiths. While cute, they could've used a little more coaching on the melodies before recording. Other folk songs in Big Smith's set have been handed down through their family's traditions. "Concernin' Murder" came from their Great Grandmother, "20 Froggies" and "The Scarecrow Song" were taught by Granma Thelma, "Cross-Eyed Gal" and "Brian O'Lynn" are from Great Uncle Chester, and "Leap as you Run" was inspired by one of Granpa Hosea's sayings. "Fetch us some wood, and leap as you run!"

The band's most noteworthy offerings are their charming original songs. Ten were written by band members or relatives. Bill Thomas' "Hay is for Horses" gallops right along. Jody's "Easy Greasy" gives us the advice to "take it simple, take it slow, use your noggin, there you go." Mark's "Cheese Enchilada" is a certain crowd-pleaser among audiences of all ages. Jay's "Leap as you Run" is a bouncy number with a nice little hook. Big Smith also does a nice job with old favorites like "Kookaburra" and "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" by arranging them with a fresh, new outlook.

Missouri's MayApple record label values originality, and I can see why they have Big Smith on their roster. The discs in "From Hay to Zzzzzz" give us two perspectives of this band. On the one hand, they appear indefatigable and very wry-witted with their spirited, playful numbers. On the other, they can sing some beautiful soothing lullabies together and even embellish those with some of the night sounds of Christian County, Missouri in September. Preserving their Smith family traditions is another important benefit of this album. This is simply an ideal way to introduce "children, big and little" to the frolicking and fun-filled acoustic sounds of folk and old-timey music. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)