10 years ago Ace released a collection of Little George Smith sides, drawn from the Modern catalogue (CH 60 on vinyl, remember that??). In the meantime sadly George Smith has passed on, and Ace Records have purchased the Modern catalogue. All those years ago access to the tapes was not exactly easy, but now that we have shipped the tapes to London, Ray Topping has been able to come to grips with the wealth of material, and hence this remastered 19 track CD. Little George Smith was one of the first harp players to amplify his instrument, using, of alt things an old 16mm projector with built- in amplifier and speaker. He worked in Chicago in the late 40s, playing in Muddy Water??s band among others, but by 1954 wound up playing the Orchid Room in Kansas City, with his own band. It was here that Joe Bihari of Modern first discovered him and cut him immediately during some Cadets sessions. George finally settled in California in 1956 and cut further sides for Modern, including the great "California Blues" which inexplicably remained unissued at the time. It features here in an alternate take to the one on CH 60. Two previously unissued sides are also included here and 4 more unissued takes.
Please note this compilation has 18 tracks not 19 as indicated.
