Vintage Guitar Magazine October 11, 2011 by Dan Forte
After commuting from New York to Austin for gigs with the Monstas, Smith moved permanently to Texas, bringing something too often lacking in the Lone Star capital — professionalism.
This is an Austin record — from drummer Ernie Durawa (Monstas, Doug Sahm, Los Jazz Vatos) to famed poster artist Guy Juke’s cover portrait — but it sounds like it was produced in New York or L.A. (and that’s meant as a compliment).
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Smith produced the set of 11 originals, whose opener, “Struggle On,” should be covered by Boz Scaggs. Smith contributes a short, tasty solo, sharing space with Joe Morales’ Sanborn-styled sax and Aaron Lack’s steel drums. Next up, “Walk the Talk” falls into a Santana or maybe War bag — with Morales the only soloist, on flute.”Simple Song,” featuring Smith on slide, reveals a Sly Stone influence, while “You Shine” is a sort of ’60s folk with an African feel — a great vehicle for Smith’s deep, Fred Neil-ish voice. On the latter, Smith adds some banjo and strums a Hammertone Octave 12 knockoff of a Vox Mando-Guitar — although, as a whole, the eclectic program has a definite urban tone.
