This information on Michael Smith's early recordings from the 1970's and early 80's was researched and written by Frank Haulgren, a long-time fan of Michael Smith.
Here is a bit of information about 3 pre-Flying Fish Albums Michael Smith did. I wish I had more information than I do but since the original LP's for two of these seem to have disappeared over the years I'm working only from memory and cassettes.
Album Name: Empty Handed
Artists: Jet Band (Michael Smith, Barbara Barrow, Danny Torrol, Ricky Niez, Keith Montross,
Billy Johnson)
Produced By Sam Lynn
Recorded @ Pierce Arrow Recorders, Chicago
Released on Thirdcoast Records in 1981
Songs By:
a- Michael Smith
b- Dick Larsen and Michael Smith (words)
c- Barbara Barrow and Michael Smith
- Night, Night, Night a
- Love Slave a
- Stranded in the Moonlight a
- Car on Fire c
- Renegade a
- Venus and Norma Jean a
- Carribean Snow b
- Barbed Wire b
Comments: This was an 80's heavy sounding rock and roll album. Barbara Barrow sings all of the songs though Michael can be heard in the background on Car on Fire.
I remember being quite shocked the first time I played this. I'd heard different versions of a few of the songs (Renegade, Carribean Snow, Car on Fire). Acoustic versions by M&B and more stripped down R&R versions by a band Betsy Redhed was in called Kiddo.
In fact when I heard this album described (before it was released) I thought that the information I'd received must have been jumbled. I thought sure Michael was writing for Betsy's band. It was tough on a "folkie".
Album Name: Zen (live recording)
Artists: Michael and Barbara Smith
Label: Privately issued LP from the Raven Gallery in Ann
Arbor Michigan.
Date: I've lost the LP but I beleive it was recorded in the
early-mid 70's just before they moved to Chicago.
Songs:
- Move over Mr. Gaugin
- My Miami
- Crazy Mary
- Ain't dis da life
- Fred's Bank
- Ballad of Dan Moody (Rovin' Cowboy)
- Zen
- The Hive
Comments: This is a really nice vintage treasure. It is truly a duet album from those guitar and piano days when M&B performed together. They both sing on all the cuts and Michael's guitar playing shines.
Having heard them live so often in Chicago during the late 70's I once commented to Michael about the quality of their voices on the album and he mentioned that they were both just getting over colds but the date had been set and the recording arrangements made... the show must go on.
It's a treasure.
Album Name: Mickey and Babs Get Hot
Artists: Michael and Barbara Smith with a band.
Label and recording Info: I beleive this was released on Bell-Tamala in the very early 70's. Don't know the other personnel.
Performance Note: While Zen was a duet album on this one
Michael and Barbara did duets as well as solo singing as noted.
Songs: (As I remember the liner notes it seems that the
only song that Michael didn't write was Osceola.)
- Steal Away M
- Ballad of Mom and Dad M&B
- Belmar M&B
- Honeydew B (Barbara may have written this one)
- Mercy Save My Child B
- Osceola M&B
- Blazin' Guns M
- Ballad of Dan Moody (Rovin' Cowboy) M&B
- The Dutchman (solo piano version) B
Comments: This is a typical early 70's sounding R&R album. The songs are very interesting from the melodramatic Mercy Save My Child, to the soulful Steal Away, to the psychedelic cowboy sound of Blazin Guns and the absolutely beautiful version of The Dutchman done by Barbara at the piano.
I heard Michael say to Noah Adams (on the Good Evening show on NPR) that this album was recorded in a New York studio next to door to the studio John Lennon was recording Walls and Bridges in. Now it is also my understanding that another album was done for Bell-Tamala called Juarez, but I've never been able to track down a trace of this.
My only complaint about this album (hearing it always in the context of the early 70's) is that Michael's guitar playing on Dan Moody seems so perky and cheerful that it could have been dubbed into the wrong song.
I've searched high and low for some photocopies of the dust jacket from Mickey and Babs which contained lyrics and a couple of photos. Michael in cowboy fringe and hair way past his shoulders?????
Frank Haulgren
Bellingham, WA
