The Smugglers - In The Hall Of Fame: All-Time Great Golds (1993) [PopLlama # 2121-2]

This collection of early Smugglers tunes does the best job capturing their frenetic style. The album usefully compiles the best bits of their previous works - "Atlanta Whiskey Flats" and "At Marineland", adding a loose 45-RPM track from 1992 and nine previously unreleased studio cuts, two of which predate "Marineland" by a year.

That the Smugglers cover Billy Childish's "Miss Ludella Black" is indicative of what you're in for. Like a less manic, more flexible, thicker-sounding Didjits with more variety, these guys put Chuck Berry riffs through the big-guitar punk grinder and add a sense of humor that says they take nothing (and everything) seriously (simultaneously), much like Childish. With songs such as "My Morrissey Shirt" and "Your Mom's the Devil", this is what "party" bands would be like if America had any taste. They sure sound like they've ingested enough classic early Rock & Roll, R&B, Blues (they also cover Muddy Waters), and Punk records, as well as a case of beer (or some "Bourbon '92"), added some ridiculous head gear, cranked up both the volume and the licks, and had such a great time they all passed out for a snooze on the couch. Stylish yes! Fun yes! Sheet, man, invite me to any party these Joes are playing at. Note: Twelve out of these 20 songs were previously released from a host of records on various labels, so this is a little like Pop Llama's Fastbacks retrospective.

~ Jack Rabid, all media guide

Tracklist:

01. Rock 'N' Roll Was Never This Fun
02. Your Mom's The Devil
03. For My Lover
04. Bourbon '92 / listen
05. Sexy Thing
06. Alan Thicke
07. Miss Ludella Black
08. My Morrissey Shirt
09. Reid
10. Invitation Only
11. Canadian Ambassadors
12. Shake Down!
13. Flyin' Buttress Of Love
14. Fun In The USA
15. Hey, Stephanie!
16. Can't Be Satisfied
17. Make You Mine
18. Vancouver, BC / listen
19. Calgarians Don't Dance
20. That Is Rock 'N' Roll

all songs by The Smugglers, except: "7" by Billy Childish,
"16" by Muddy Waters, "17" by Paul Tergeist, "20" by Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller


All songs recorded at Egg Studios, Seattle, WA between 1990-1993
Tracks "1-8" Co-Produced by Conrad Uno, Dave and Nick
Tracks "15-19" and "18-20" Co-Produced by Conrad and Dave


• Grant Lawrence - lead vocals on a most tracks
• David Carswell - guitar, lead vocals on several tracks, backing vocals
• Nicholas Thomas - guitar, backing vocals, bass
• K. Beezley - bass and backing vocals on tracks "1-14"
• Bruce Dunn - drums on tracks "1-14"
• Paul Preminger - drums on tracks "15-20"

additional musicians:
- Adam Woodall - harmonica, guitar, backing vocals ("15-20")
- Scott McCaughey - piano on track "16"
- Jon Auer - tambourine on track "17"

**Note: On the cover above portrayed not the Smugglers!

Original Release Date: May 4, 1993
CD Release Date: April 16, 1995
Format: Original Recording Reissued
Label: PopLlama Products
Catalog No.: PL 2121-2