Here Comes the Boogie Man: The Original Recordings (CD - 2000)

Digitally remastered by Geoff Milne (Tall Order).

Here Comes the Boogie Man collects 22 late-'40s radio transcriptions, some of which were purchased by MGM and released as commercial singles. One of these was Smith's Top Ten country hit, "Guitar Boogie," which is included here along with another Top Ten entry, "Boomerang." Mastered from commercial 78s and/or transcription discs, the sound quality on this CD is so-so, but the anthology receives points merely for existing. Smith's jazzy style recalls both Django Reinhardt and Les Paul, but his participation in the hillbilly boogie craze puts him in a class by himself. All 22 of these tracks are acoustic guitar instrumentals with minimal accompaniment; each track is heavy on boogie riffing with occasional virtuoso solos. In 2001, Jasmine released a follow-up volume, One Good Boogie Deserves Another. ~ Greg Adams minimize