Josh Smith
By Martine Ehrenclou
Contemporary blues/rock guitar master, singer, songwriter, producer, Josh Smith brought the house down with his signature style of blues, rock and jazz to the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon on July 26, Tarzana, CA. The show was presented by blues promoter Cadillac Zack who brings in the best artists from all over the world to perform in intimate venues.
World renowned as a virtuoso guitar player, Josh Smith is known for his incendiary live performances. Early on in his career, he opened for B.B King for two years and played with guitar greats Jimmy Thackery, Tinsley Ellis, Lucky Peterson, and more. Smith performed at the Grammy Awards and the Kennedy Center honors with Mick Jagger and toured the world as lead guitarist for Taylor Hicks, Ricky Fante, and Raphael Saadiq. Performing and recording with artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons, Chris Duarte, Kenny Neal, Kirk Fletcher and too many to list, Smith also produces and co-produces albums for notable artists. He has 11 albums to his name.
This night at the Maui Sugar Mill, a throwback to the 70’s with high tables and stools and red leather banquets, the club was dense with Josh Smith fans, whose devotion to Smith’s blues and jazz infused rock was their antidote to the stress of the pandemic and the new indoor mask requirements.
It didn’t take but a few minutes for opening act Jamey Arent, contemporary blues, jazz and rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and in-demand session musician, to garner fans. Along with Corbin Jones (bass), Jacob Mann (keys), Christian Euman (drums), this superb player performed a number of upbeat songs from his EP, The Back Burner, and a few blues standards, each with Arent’s gifted musical spin. Watch video here.
Now, the club was packed tight with people as Josh Smith appeared on stage with bass player Travis Carlton, and drummer Lemar Carter, a supergroup of sorts.
Dressed in jeans, cowboy boots and hat, Josh Smith strapped on his black Ibanez Telecaster and welcomed the crowd and mentioned how good it was to be back. He added that he wasn’t going to talk very much because he and the band were so happy to return to the stage after the pandemic and they just wanted to play. He then launched into “Brown Gatton” from his album Still, a jazz infused blues/rock instrumental.
Right from the first note, Smith owned that stage with a fierce mastery of guitar, vocals, and performance. He was at one with his guitar, intensely connected to Carlton and Carter, a synergy between them, their performance in sync and tight.
With strong, expressive vocals, Smith hurled into “Half Blues” off his Burn To Grow record, a heavy blues/rock number that nearly blew me and the crowd out of our seats. Intense with blistering guitar, drums and bass, Josh Smith and his trio were, in a word, badass.
Josh Smith, Lemar Carter
The audience hollered, whistled and clapped. Many guitar players themselves, you could see they were in awe of Josh Smith. With confidence and subtle swagger, Smith is one of the best guitar players I’ve heard. And one helluva performer.
The ever popular “Pusher,” a rocking, funky tune, blasted off with a perfect storm of guitar work, putting down a mix of B.B. King-style phrases with Robben Ford-esque bop color. A sweet hybrid picking style showcased Smith’s tasty double-stops. With intense and soulful vocals, there was nothing between him and his music. Completely immersed. All three of them were. Travis Carlton played a stunning bass solo with tremendous feel and groove to praise from the crowd. Carter Lemar absolutely killed it on drums the entire night, but gave it his all on one of the best drum solos I’ve seen.
Josh introduced “Penance,” another crowd favorite, explaining that he wrote the instrumental for his wife. He was alive and emotional performing this song, with passionate, muscular riffs. There’s a certain magnetism that comes with mastery and Smith has it. The crowd now silent, all eyes were on him. Smith created an array of nuances on guitar, different textures and tones, from subtle to intense.
A song in tribute to Albert King, Josh Smith and company slayed it on the bluesy “When I Get Mine.” At this point, I knew we were in the presence of greatness. In the middle of this tune, the entire crowd swayed to the rhythm, a few dancing in an area off to the side of the stage. More blues tunes followed “Paying The Cost To The Boss” (B.B. King) and Smith original, “Where’s My Baby.” Watch video here
It’s one thing to be a technical wizard on guitar. It’s another to combine guitar wizardry with soul. Josh Smith did just that. He was on fire—soulful, intense and thoroughly entertaining.
Watch “Pusher”
For more information on Josh Smith
Josh has such an amazing feel for his music along with being as good a guitar player as there is ANYWHERE….Humble to a fault….I absolutely love every time I get to see Josh perform….