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Byther Smith & the Night Riders – Mississippi Kid
Delmark DE 691 (1996)
Compact Disc

This is the true story of a man’s life; Byther Smith, the one they call the Mississippi Kid. An American Original, talking about the true feelings of what is happening in the world. Listen carefully, and you can get right there inside with him.

with Malachi Thompson, Sonny Seals, and Steve Berry.

Recorded on December 12 & 13, 1995 at Riverside Studios.

1 Judge Of Honor 4:34
2 Don't Hurt Me No More 6:25
3 President's Daughter 3:13
4 Living In Pain 5:39
5 Ashamed Of Myself 5:25
6 I Don't Know Where You Go 5:36
7 Blues On The Moon 4:44
8 Your Daughter Don't Want Me No More 4:01
9 Give Me My White Robe 5:43
10 Runnin' To New Orleans 3:21
11 Cora, You Made A Man Out Of Me 4:28
12 Monticello Lonely 5:03
13 Mississippi Kid 4:50

all songs originals by Byther Smith

Byther Smith Composer, Guitar, Vocals
Bob "The Hoosier Hawk" Hecht Organ, Piano
Jeff "Junkyard" Jozwiak Rhythm Guitar, lead (11)
James Knowles Drums
Jessie Lockridge Organ
Steve Berry Trombone (4, 7)
Sonny Seals Sax (Tenor) (4, 7, 8, 11)
Melvin Smith Bass (7)
Malachi Thompson Arranger, Trumpet (4, 7)



AllMusic Review by Stewart Mason

The 1996 release Mississippi Kid sounds like it could have been released a quarter-century or more before, which is a compliment. Bracingly free of the rockist clichés that bog down so many latter-day blues albums, Mississippi Kid is solid Chicago-style blues, with Smith's guitar and vocals supported by two organists and a full horn section. Presented as a sort of musical autobiography, with the personal title track ending the album as a kind of summation, the album dusts off a couple of Smith's earlier hits, most notably a slow, gripping version of his signature song, "Give Me My White Robe," and the playful shaggy-dog story "Blues on the Moon," given a suitably light-hearted and sly treatment. Smith is in excellent voice throughout and his playing is as fine as always, making Mississippi Kid a late highlight in his long and sometimes underappreciated career.