WILLIAM Smiley WINTERS – Smiley Etc. (2LP-1969)

Label: Arhoolie Records – 8004/5

Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: US / Released: 1969

Style: Free Jazz, Post Bop, Modal

Recorded at Sierra Sound Studios in Berkeley, Calif. on March 19, 1969.

D2 - Smiley's Mini Drum Suite / recorded at the Newman Center in Berkeley, Calif.

Engineer – Bob DeSousa

Liner Notes – Wahlee Williams

Photography By – Patti Prout

Producer – Chris Strachwitz, Smiley Winters

A1 - Two Trains ............................................................................................. 9:22

         drums – William 'Smiley' Winters

         tenor saxophone – Bert Wilson

         trumpet – Barbara Donald

         bass – Chris Amberger

         congas – Mike O'Barra

         drums – James Zitro

         (written-by – Bert Wilson)

A2 - Love Is Enlightenment .......................................................................... 9:12

         drums – William 'Smiley' Winters

         soprano saxophone – Bert Wilson

         trumpet – Barbara Donald

         bass – Chris Amberger, Jerry Sealand

         drums – James Zitro

         (written-by – Bert Wilson)

B  -  Smiley Etc. ........................................................................................... 16:10

         drums – William 'Smiley' Winters

         tenor saxophone, bass clarinet – Bert Wilson

         trumpet – Barbara Donald

         bass – Chris Amberger, Harley White

         violin – Mike White

         bongos [bongo drums] – Michael O'Barra

         congas [congo drums] – James Zitro

         drums – Eddie Marshall, Paul Smith

         mbira [thumb piano], flute, voice, bass, horns – Rafael Garrett

         (written-by – W. Winters)

C1 - Frank's Blues ......................................................................................... 7:20

         drums – William 'Smiley' Winters

         piano – Frank Jackson

         bass – Chris Amberger

         (written-by – F. Jackson)

C2 - Some Blue Shoes .................................................................................. 6:45

         drums – William 'Smiley' Winters

         tenor saxophone – Bert Wilson

         trumpet – Barbara Donald

         piano – Frank Jackson

         bass – Harley White

         (written-by – Bert Wilson

D1 - Just Steppin' ........................................................................................... 6:38

         drums – William 'Smiley' Winters

         piano – Mike O'Barra

         claves – Harley White

         bass – Chris Amberger

         bongos [bongo drums] – James Zitro

         (written-by – M. O'Barra)

D2 - Smiley's Mini Drum Suite ........................................................................ 6:22

         drums – William 'Smiley' Winter

         (Recorded By – Chris Strachwitz / Written-By – W. Winters)

“If William 'Smiley' Winters had been based in New York instead of Oakland, he no doubt would have been widely recognized as a major jazz drum stylist. He did all manner of gigs, from backing strippers and accompanying cocktail lounge pianists to shuffling the blues in juke joints, but jazz was the primary arena for his art, particularly jam sessions. He participated in them almost as if they were religious rituals, sometimes for pay, more often simply for the fulfillment spontaneous creation affords the soul.”

_ (from notes by Lee Hildebrand)

William 'Smiley' Winters

Barbara Donald

Bert Wilson

On this two-record set, each LP provides a different side of the versatile Smiley Winters. The first three cuts -- the entirety of LP one -- are all free jazz barnburners with explosive playing by all. Fans of jazz releases on the ESP or BYG labels should know what to expect here: lots of free blowing with some very intense moments. Among other things, four extra drummers and Donald Rafael Garrett's yelping vocals on the title track make the first LP an exhausting but highly rewarding experience. Particularly impressive are multi-reedman Bert Wilson (on soprano sax, tenor sax, and bass clarinet) and trumpeter Barbara Donald. On these numbers, Wilson slashes and soars to Ayler-esque heights and Donald just flat-out rips. These tracks either employ no discernible predetermined structure or ones similar to, say, Sunny Murray's Sunshine on BYG (i.e., quick runs of three or so notes apiece that don't waste any time dissolving into free improvisation).

The second LP changes gears with an alarming halt. Its opener, "Frank's Blues," is a piano blues for trio that wouldn't sound out of place on an early Freddie Redd session. Otherwise, expect another, decidedly more post-bop Wilson and Donald workout as well as the Latin-tinged "Just Steppin'." The bass and drum duet "Smiley's Mini Drum Suite" closes out the set. In a perfect world, Bert Wilson and Barbara Donald would be stars of the late-'60s free jazz era, but they aren't, so the opportunity to hear them on this fine record (as well as on Sonny Simmons' Music From the Spheres) is one that fans of spirited free improvisation shouldn't miss. Highly recommended.

If you find it, buy this album!