What The Critics Are Saying

LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE 1998
Big Ken Smith, Hometown Homesick Blues (Cold Wind CWR9604-2) 
Fifteen years of touring with country star Bobby Bare has honed bassist Ken Smith's chops razor sharp. On this disc he blends rock, country, and blues, with backing from drummer Sam Lay and guitarist Larry Burton. Smith's gently rocking original songs recount the joys and sorrows of regular folks: the bank wants the Caddy and your boss gave your promotion to his son-in-law (Light at the End of the Tunnel), but your woman knows how to treat a good man even if you don't deserve it (Rock and a Hard Case), and back home Mama's fixing chicken wings and apple pie (Hometown Homesick Blues).-PRA

BLUES REVUE MAGAZINE
JAN-FEB 1999
"Bassist Big Ken Smith, sideman with Bobby Bare, The Big Dawgs and others, collaborates with songwriters such as Don Nix ("Goin' Down", "Same Old Blues") and Gary Talley on Hometown Homesick Blues (Cold Wind 9604-2). Legendary Chess session drummer Sam Lay, guitarist Larry Burton, Willie Murphy and others join Smith on a tough mix of originals. Smith writes cool, unique changes and wry lyrics. Best cut: "Light at the End", a heavy-footed blues lamenting a lost job and love." Blues Revue

Big Ken Smith, Hometown Homesick Blues (Cold Wind CWR 9604-2)
"Singer, songwriter and bass player from Nashville, Big Ken Smith, recently spent about a year in the Twin Cities before moving to California. During his stay here in the North Country, Big Ken hooked up with local label Cold Wind Records producer, Tim Bradach. The result is this fine release of twelve tunes with eleven original blues numbers written by Ken Smith and a host of collaborators including Don Nix, who penned the classic "Goin' Down" that was made famous by Freddie King and also was recorded by numerous blues/rockers. One other tune on this CD is also a Nix classic, "Same Old Blues", a Big Ken Smith personal favorite.
Big Ken is a fifteen-year veteran with country star Bobby Bare's band touring the world and playing Nashville. The seasoning and wealth of that experience is evident in Ken's voice and his powerful playing on this CD.
Joining Big Ken Smith on this recording are drummer Sam Lay (Paul Butterfield Blues Band and -on CHESS Records - Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf), guitarist Larry Burton (Albert King, Albert Collins, Lou Rawls, Taj Mahal, Fenton Robinson, Johnny Winter), keyboard player Willie Murphy (Willie & the Bees), drummer Bill Swartz (Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers), pianist Celia Price (Sam Lay Blues Band) and others. The musicianship on this CD is top end and it really comes through.
"Hometown Homesick Blues" is classic electric blues with a fair amount of southern rock influences threaded throughout and it's played with a whole lotta soul. This is bar band music all the way. The dancing begins from the opening cut with the tongue in cheek, "Somebody Got To Do It", and the fun continues with tunes like "Rock and a Hard Case," "Home of the Blues" and "Cruise Control" and if you're not careful, this one will grow on you fast." Twin Cities Blues News