Hickory Holler Revisited – O. C. SMITH***

The Son Of Hickory Holler’s Tramp/Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay/Main Street Mission/By The Time I Get To Phoenix/Long Black Limousine/The House Next Door/Little Green Apples/Take Time To Know Her/Honey(I Miss You)/The Best Man/Seven Days

R & B vocalist O.C. Smith had to wait a long time before his short lived commercial breakthrough came in 1968. Hickory Holler Revisited was his highest placed LP and contains the US No. 2 Little Green Apples and the UK No. 2 Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp. (US:19)

"O C Smith began his musical career as a jazz vocalist, even spending time as a vocalist with Count Basie, but is best known for his R & B/pop recordings of country songs. OC's warm voice was particularly suited to ballads, but he could sing any type of song brilliantly."

"He had one big UK hit with Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp, a classic story-telling song written by prolific country songwriter Dallas Frazier. Controversial at the time of its release, it praises a mother who turned to prostitution after her husband deserted her, thereby ensuring that she could continue to feed her large family."

"This man was hard to categorize - was he jazz, country, blues or pop? It really doesn't matter because he had a big powerful voice for any genre. Lots of tearjerkers here including Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp, Long Black Limousine etc."

"I am surprised at the quality here. Smith makes even Honey function on a sweet soul level, no small accomplishment. On Little Green Apples, although I find the tinkering bells dated and cloying, I can't deny Smith's voice is excellent. I also can't deny a lot of this album is straight, if mellow, middle-of-the-road soul. The music works, sometimes on its own terms, and sometimes in spite of its mushiness, due to Smith's voice being so strong."

"O.C. Smith was one of the most underrated artists of his day. People who know of him often call him a one hit wonder. He has such a great, silky and smooth voice. So here's to a great singer and a great collection of songs that you will enjoy."