For nearly half a century, Bennie Smith has been the go-to man on guitar for the finest talent in St Louis, from Ike Turner's "Boxtop" and Jimmy "Soul" Clark's "Shook Up Over You" in the 1950's, to recent recordings by Big Bad Smitty (Mean Disposition, Cold Blood). With this new Fedora release, Bennie Smith is at last properly documented in 11 songs that span his hybrid styles of guitar and his deep down-home vocals. Shook Up contains 6 originals, including 3 instrumentals that never sacrifice musicality for house-rocking delight. The covers hearken back to Smith's tenure with Tommy Brown and the Kings of Rhythm (who took the gigs Ike Turner couldn't handle). Singing blues classics like "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" and "Mystery Train" with authority, Smith plays guitar with a style all his own. A combination of urban soul and countrified grit which has helped define the sound of St. Louis blues.

Bennie Smith- vocals; Eric Mcfadden- harmonica; Harry Simon- saxophone; Rory Johnson- piano; Tom Maloney- guitar; Sharon Foehner- bass; Chuck Walters- drums.

Tracks: Wish Me Well; Buddah-Ba; Good Morning Little Schoolgirl; Listen To My Heart Sing; Mystery Train; Fancy; Drown In My Own Tears; Shook Up; I'm Tore Up; Okie Dokie Stomp; I'm wondering.

 Wish Me Well

 Buddah-Ba

 Fancy