Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title:  Smokestack Lightening
Company: Island
Catalog: SW 9321
Year: 1972
Country/State: Carlisle, UKGrade (cover/record): VG / VG+
Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear
Available: 1
Catalog number: 6395
Price: $10.00

Having recorded a wonderful solo debut with the local band Junkyard Angel, Mike Harrison's sophomore solo album saw him turning in a completely different direction. Recorded at Muscle Shoals Studios, 1972's "Smokestack Lightning" was co-produced by Harrison and Island Records president Chris Blackwell. Surrounding Harrison with an impressive cast of all-star studio players was apparently intended to open him up to a broader American market, but the results were decidedly mixed.. Harrison's voice remained in fine form, though he remained a singer of limited capabilities (an expansive vocal range wasn't one of those strengths). Moreover, on tracks such as "Paid My Dues" Harry Robinson's extensive string arrangements all but drown Harrison's lower register vocals. The other thing missing from this outing was original material. Only one of the six tracks was a Harrison - 'Turn It Over' co-written with Luther Grosevnor. Those criticisms aside, backing from Spooky Tooth alumnus Grosvenor (who turned in a couple of tasty guitar solos - check out 'I Wanna Be Free') and the cream of Muscle Shoals studio players (Barry Beckett, Clayton Ivey, Roger Hawkins, etc.) certainly helped salvage material such as 'Tears Behind My Eyes' and 'Turn It Over'. Harrison also proved fairly deft working with the blues - 'What a Price' and the title track (though clocking it at over 12 minutes, it was six minutes too long), were both impressive, sounding like something off one of the early Spooky Tooth LPs.

- 'Tears Behind My Eyes' got the album off to a slow start. A slow, bluesy ballad, the song was decent enough (with a really nice country-tinged guitar solo), but took forever to kick into gear and then was nearly swallowed by some ill conceived strings. Harrison also didn't sound entirely comfortable with the song's key. rating: ** stars
- Covered an upbeat, bouncy keyboard-propelled melody, 'Paid My Dues' was one of the album's more commercial numbers. Once again the problem with this one was the overwhelming orchestration. Towards the middle of the track Harrison sounded like he was holding on for deal life. The song would have been way better with a more stripped down arrangement. rating: *** stars
- Normally I'm not a big fan of blues numbers, but 'What a Price' was one of those rare exception. This was a standard blues number, but Harrison turned in a stunning vocal and some killer lead guitar (Grosvernor ?), simply added to the track's enjoyment. One of the album's creative high points. rating: **** stars
- A cover of Joe Tex's 'I Wanna Be Free' found Harrison showing a surprising funky side. You weren't about to forget the Tex original, but this was a darn good cover and stands as my favorite performance. The song also featured the album's best guitar solo. Again, I'm not sure if it was Grosvenor, or studio musicians Pete Carr, or Jimmy Johnson. rating: **** stars
- The album's lone original composition, 'Turn It Over' was an enjoyable blues-rocker. Sporting a great barrelhouse piano solo and some funky Muscle Shoals horns this one was probably the album's best rocker. rating: **** stars
- I've always wondered why young, pale, English musicians have always felt the need to record classic slices of American blues ... especially when most of the results are so disappointing. Well, you can Harrison to that long list with his extended cover of Howlin' Wolf's 'Smokestack Lightening'. Giving credit where due, Harrison's version wasn't bad, but stretching it out over twelve minutes probably wasn't necessary. Harrison also got to showcase a bit of his harmonica skills. Still, it you want to hear this tune, pull of the original. Nothing can compete with the Howlin' Wolf version. rating: *** stars

To my ears the album was decent having a distinctive American-ized sound, but it didn't come close to the debut. Unfortunately, with sales proving non-existent, the following year Harrison and Gary Wright (to that point equally unsuccessful with his solo career) elected to reform Spooky Tooth. 

"Smokestack Lightning" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Tears Behind My Eyes (Jimmy Stevens) - 4:13
2.) Paid My Dues (Jimmy Stevens) - 4:20
3.) What a Price (Domino - Maddux - Jussup) - 5:51
4.) I Wanna Be Free (Joe Tex) - 4:12

(side 1)
1.) Turn It Over (Mike Harrison - Luther Grosvenor) - 6:30
2.) Smokestack Lightening (Chester Burnett) - 12:29