Byther Smith

Byther can be heard on Sunnyland Slim’s album, She Got A Thing Goin’ On (Earwig CD 4942).

Strictly judging from the lyrical sentiment of his recordings to this point, it might be wise not to make Chicago guitarist Byther Smith angry. Smitty’s uncompromising songs are filled with threats of violence and ominous menace (the way blues used to be before the age of political correctness), sometimes to the point where his words don’t even rhyme. They don’t have to, either — you’re transfixed by the sheer intensity of his music.

Smitty came to Chicago during the mid-’50s after spending time toiling on an Arizona cattle ranch. He picked up guitar tips from J.B. Lenoir (his first cousin), Robert Jr. Lockwood, and Hubert Sumlin, then began playing in the clubs during the early 1960s. Theresa’s Lounge was his main haunt for five years as he backed Junior Wells; he also played with the likes of Big Mama Thornton, George “Harmonica” Smith, and Otis Rush.

A couple of acclaimed singles for C.J. (the two-part “Give Me My White Robe”) and BeBe (“Money Tree”/”So Unhappy”) spread his name among aficionados, as did a 1983 album for Grits, Tell Me How You Like It. The rest of the country then began to appreciate Smitty, thanks to a pair of extremely solid albums on Bullseye Blues: 1991’s Housefire (first out on Grits back in 1985) and I’m a Mad Man two years later. With two sets on Delmark and a stepped-up touring itinerary, Smitty really hit his stride. In 2015, he retired from touring.

-Written by Bill Dahl, updated by Michael Frank