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Barkin’ Bill – Gotcha!
with Steve Freund & The Chicago Horns
Delmark 627

This is a jewel of pure Chicago blues. Stylistically, Barkin’ Bill was close to the great Joe Williams, whose warm, reassuring vocals, says Bill, have always been “like a friend" as well to singers like Percy Mayfield, Jimmy Witherspoon, Big Joe Turner, Wynonie Harris, Brook Benton, and other crooners and shouters of the ’40s and ’50s. And while he borrows liberally from others’ songbooks, he is himself entirely an original for nearly 50 years.

The veteran vocalist wraps his suave, bottomless pipes around a well-chosen cross-section of covers, from Duke Henderson's jump blues "Get Your Kicks" and Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "I Love to Love You" to tougher straightforward blues originally cut by Freddy King, Guitar Slim, Jimmy Rogers, and Little Walter. A cadre of local session aces provides fine support, especially guitarist Steve Freund (who receives a couple of instrumental showcases).
Smith was raised in Mississippi and later relocated to East St. Louis, Detroit and finally Chicago. He obtained his stage name from Homesick James in 1958, after the pair had worked together. Smith sang in front of various blues bands around Chicago for many years. He was initially influenced by Joe Williams, Jimmy Witherspoon and Brook Benton. He made his recording debut in 1991, singing on Dave Specter's first album, Bluebird Blues. Delmark Records issued Smith's solo debut album, Gotcha!, in 1994, with Steve Freund playing guitar.
In his later years declining health restricted his live appearances. Smith died of pancreatic cancer in Chicago in April 2000, at the age of 71.

Barkin’ Bill Smith, vocals
Steve Freund, guitar
Ken Saydak, piano (2), B3 organ (4, 6, 7, 10, 12-14)
Vince Willis, piano (1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11)
Hank Ford, tenor sax (2, 6, 13)
The Chicago Horns (1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11):
Hank Ford, tenor sax
Sonny Seals, baritone sax
Kenny Anderson, trumpet
Bill McFarland, trombone
Harlan Terson, bass (4, 7, 10, 12, 14)
Nick Charles, bass (1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11)
Vince Ogelsby, bass (2, 6, 13)
Jon Hiller, drums (2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12-14)
John Felker, drums (1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11)
Herb Walker, rhythm guitar (1, 3, 5, 11)
Craig Davis, guitar (9)
Tad Robinson, harmonica (3, 10)
Steve Dawson, rhythm guitar (11)
Diane Christiansen, backup vocal (11)


1 Sufferin' Mind 3:52
2 As Long As I Have You 4:38
3 Down the Line 3:15
4 Someday After Awhile (You'll Be Sorry) 6:34
5 Too Fine for Cryin' 3:42
6 You're Too Much 4:20
7 Blue Guitar 4:33
8 Get Your Kicks 3:54
9 I Love to Love You 3:12
10 One Kiss 3:02
11 I Got What I Wanted 5:13
12 Hot Tomato 3:14
13 No Rollin' Blues 6:08
14 What Makes These Things Happen to Me 3:37


"Barkin' Bill Smith sings of the thrill of the chase, the bittersweet after-math of conquest or surrender - songs of desire, flirtation, loss, regret. Whatever circumstances the lyrics pose, Bill's in command behind the microphone."

"When you listen to Barkin' Bill's smooth, seductive vocals, you really can't help it- he's GOTCHA!"
- excerpts from Justin O'Brien's liner notes