BOBBY SMITH (www.BobbyMusicSmith.com): Roots Rock Veteran Bobby Smith’s blues-based rockabilly has been vibrating the Chesapeake and beyond for nearly four decades. His 1987 release (Ripsaw 221) won two Washington Area Music Association nominations. He also sang back up on Ripsaw 220 – Billy Hancock’s “Wanted True Rock ‘n’ Roll”. Since recording for Ripsaw, Smith has released a single on Diesel Only Records, as well as several albums on his own Exploding Rabbit label.
“Both Wheels Left the Ground” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzyEQaT4YTs
“Tough Girls” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVb6IGZovs0
“What Do I Hafta Do” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HWRzRC4cEM
What They Say About Bobby Smith and “Two Sides” (Ripsaw 221)
“Top-notch rockabilly.”
Billboard
“Smith is the heir apparent to the rockabilly throne vacated by Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, and Johnny Burnette. You won’t find any tougher, slyer, good rockin’ fun than this RIPSAW mini-LP – on either side of the Atlantic Ocean. … The man can write, sing up a storm, [and] play sizzling guitar … [T]he musical find of the 1980’s!
Goldmine
“Smith’s EP proves that in revival rock, energy and conviction are the trump cards. This Marylander sings with a traditionally echoed southern quaver that slides into tough guy sneer when this music revs up. Unlike other revivalists, Smith infuses each lyric with a genuine ability to act outs its story, delivering lines with a variety of subtly expressed emotions and uncampy enjoyment. His quickly chugging chords and rapid fire solos draw on many of the pioneers, but his unpolished barroom raunch puts back the grit into the old tricks. Whatever the influences, this EP has no pretensions to be anything more than rough club rock and roll with a driving beat, and it does that just fine.
Option
“[Smith’s] rockabilly instincts are so internalized that an optimistic excitement flows from him naturally without a false note.”
Washington Post
“On this six-song EP, Smith manages to produce four true-to-the-bone ‘rockabilly’ hits and two sharp covers. … Smith’s vocals and songwriting star …; wonderfully straight-forward and devotedly authentic, Smith brings back memories without being kitsch. It’s a style he managed to perfect in his past ten years playing the club circuit in Maryland. … ‘Two Sides’ is one of the best records I’ve heard this year.”
Maryland Musician
