Instruments Harmonica, vocals Name Moses Smith Record label Excello Records | Labels Excello Role Singer | |
Born January 25, 1932Union Church, Mississippi, United States ( 1932-01-25 ) Occupation(s) Harmonicist, singer, songwriter Died April 28, 1984, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States Genres Swamp blues, Louisiana blues Similar People Silas Hogan, Whispering Jack Smith, J D "Jay" Miller, Lightnin' Slim, Henry Gray | ||
Moses "Whispering" Smith (January 25, 1932 – April 28, 1984) was an American blues harmonicist and singer. He recorded tracks including "A Thousand Miles from Nowhere" and "Texas Flood", and worked with both Lightnin' Slim and Silas Hogan. He was inducted into the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame.
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Biography
Smith was born in Union Church, Mississippi.
In the 1960s, Smith's harmonica playing accompanied recordings by swamp blues notables Lightnin' Slim and Silas Hogan, before he was able to record some tracks of his own making. At this time he worked alongside the Crowley, Louisiana based record producer, J. D. "Jay" Miller, and his output was released by Excello Records. His singles included "Mean Woman Blues", "I Tried So Hard", and "Don't Leave Me", plus the instrumental tracks "Live Jive" and "Hound Dog Twist".
Although he was a powerful singer, and a straight but unsophisicated harmonica player, his potential was diminished by his appearance towards the end of the swamp blues period. He recorded his final album for Excello, Over Easy, in 1971.
Whispering Smith died in April 1984 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the age of 52.