Page 47 - BiTS_12_DECEMBER_2025

REVIEWS

Big Daddy Wilson—Smiling All Day Long—
Continental Record Services CBHLP2058

Born in North Carolina, Big Daddy Wilson only started

singing the blues after he had settled in Germany
following a stint there in the US army, and he had heard
other blues during his leisure time. However, he has

an excellent soul-tinged voice and a warm attractive
relaxed style, kind of an Americana-inflected rural-ish
blues. Maybe we shouldn’t be too surprised though as

he grew up hearing (and singing) Gospel music; he also
listened to Country music. He is a relatively big name on the blues scene in Europe
and to be honest, it is about time the UK caught up with him!

The opener is also the title track and is the sound of a happy man very contented
with his lot, though the following song, ‘Hard Times Done Come’ is perhaps lyrically
more of a typical blues. ‘Way Down South’ has indeed a strong southern sound, both

lyrically and musically, and ‘Still Counting Down’ is a subtle electric number with a
very fine soul-styled vocal; it’s even more soulful on the lilting ‘By Your Side’. This is
the pattern for the whole album, and guests like Eric Bibb (a good friend of Big

Daddy’s), Hans Theessink, and harmonica player Steve Baker make significant
contributions throughout the set, the arrangements are carefully crafted, but
maintain a sense of spontaneity.

Do be sure to listen to ‘I Want Jesus To Walk With Me’, where Wilson shares lead
vocals with Eric Bibb, who also plays guitars. But every number on this beautiful
release is certainly guaranteed to please all the blues lovers in the house.

Norman Darwen

(www.bigdaddywilson.com)

Hudspeth & Taylor—Kimuziki: Live in Des Moines—

Hudtone

Some may know guitarist Brandon Hudspeth from his
work with Levee Town or behind Dustin Arbuckle.

Hudspeth & Taylor is slightly different: the duo make
some fine music, and this set, their first live album,

provides another example of that. They have been
working together for around two decades now; Brandon
plays amplified acoustic guitar in this setting, and
supplies occasional backing vocals, whilst Jaisson Taylor

handles lead vocals and all kinds of percussion. Together they create a big, big sound.