Check out Smoke Wagon on John Valentyne's (RIP) Spotify Playlist
Check out Graham Rockingham's article in The Spec
A conversation with Corey and Ken Wallis on The Sound Cafe
I expected the blues: what I didn't anticipate was a musical adventure this broad and thoroughly satisfying. This disc is now on my Desert Island Classics and if I had to do my best-of-the-year column right now, it would very likely make the top of the list. It is impossible to overstate how much I'm enjoying this album
John "Rock Doctor" Kereiff - Okanangan Magazine
A varied program from this Hamilton band... well-recorded and performed... delivers convincingly... this one should keep the momentum going.
John Valenteyn (RIP) - Maple Blues
It rocks, it rolls, and it swings. It's bluesy, it's funky, and it's soulful beyond belief. It is truly timeless... If you can't find something here that trips your trigger, maybe you need to give it another listen. The incredible musicianship throughout... hits all the right buttons. It doesn't get any better then this!
Bill Wilson - Reflections in Blue
... a winner. There’s a whole lot to love: gritty, bluesy vocals highlighted by a talented balance of top-notch guitar, piano, organ, sax and harp play along with a tight rhythm section... I’m hard pressed not to jump to my feet and boogie...
I can’t imagine a blues fan who wouldn’t totally love “The Ballad of Albert Johnson”
Blue Monday Monthly Entertainment Magazine
... the tradition of the New Orleans, Memphis beat and attitude. Rollicking tones south of the Mason Dixon line that boogie 'till they puke... ZZ Top riffs... Memphis soul... jump blues... Fats Domino boogie-ing... The guys even give a good nod to Johnny Cash... while a trip to the delta has the guitars sliding like Rickey Henderson... The honeysuckle can be smelled on this one.
George W. Harris - Jazz Weekly
...a ton of musical flavouring, giving each track it's own distinct essence. Cajun spice mixed in with boogie woogie, roots, country, jazz, and soul. Everybody in the band's firing on all cylinders...
Hamilton Blues Lovers
...sound like they never met a sunrise they ever liked, close the curtains and live large while this blasts through the night. Hot stuff!
Chris Spector - Midwest Record
I was eager to experience an entire (Smoke Wagon Blues Band) album for the first time. I wasn’t disappointed. The Ballad of Albert Johnson doesn’t pause for a lot of breaths... 53 minutes of blues with a Canadian twist. The Ballad of Albert Johnson is a satisfying blues album, sure to enliven your socially distant, limited-in-number backyard, summer gathering.
Donald Teplyske - Fervor Coulee - Roots Music Opinion
...an amazing journey along the long and winding blues road... they are funny, really interesting and display a warm tireless rhythm. Great!
La Hora Del Blues Spain
...a band at the top of its game... doing what they do best - playing their hearts out - thoroughly entertaining. Highly recommended
Down At The Crossroads
... R’n’B, funky soul, roots-rock, barrelhouse boogie, honking sax and the kind of tight rhythm section that holds the whole thing together on a dime... wild and free, delving into swamp-rock, greasy Memphis grooves, folkloric Acadian swing, New Orleans joyousness, jump blues and those slow luxurious profound blues riffs... a 13-song gem
Mike Greenblatt - Goldmine Music Collector's Magazine
This is a must have album for all blues fans.
Steve Crowley - American Blues Scene
These guys got everything: fabulous musicians, great songwriting, and can play anything! Unwavering in their pursuit of the real thing, their hard work has certainly paid off on this one! I have had the pleasure of listening to some really good blues bands this past month and these guys certainly rank right up at the top!
Blue Barry – Smoky Mountain Blues Society
Lights up and heats up the night with a solid party vibe that just doesn't quit!
Chris Spector - Midwest Record
...playing almost entirely original material, and the gritty voice of front man Corey Lueck combined with the soulful backing, reminds me at times of Joe Cocker going back to his Mad Dogs & Englishmen sound. You can’t help but get up and start moving
Jim Hynes - Elmore Magazine NYC
Gritty Vocals, Stout Guitar, punchy Sax, soulful organ, biting slide solo’s and blues harp, the band is tight!
Malcom Kennedy - Washington Blues Society
The cool thing about this band is their unique versatility and flexibility in playing various styles of blues, and this set is full of ’em
Sheryl and Don Crow WordPress
Full of Passion and energy, you will enjoy every moment of this wonderful blues band!
Rudolf's Music Magazine - Netherlands
Sounds absolutely inspired and incredibly impressive. Their music is a blend of southern blues with the atmosphere of New Orleans. Hot blues you can imagine hearing in many juke joint bars across the Mississippi... The album flows from track to track... tremendously spontaneous. Fantastic band!
Mladen Loncar - Sound Gardien - Croatia
...extremely talented players... goes back to a time when great chops and solid storytelling were all important- it’s a really cool place to visit... your atypical good time blues album - this is well played and fun
The Rock Doctor - UK
.. very well-rooted in not only the music known as blues, but the history, traditions and folklore surrounding it all... performed in a manner that will appear to audiences both traditional and contemporary, this band tears it up on 13 tunes... I found myself so drawn in by the tunes that I hated to see it end... I found myself listening to this one over and over, never tiring of it. The songwriting is spectacular, the musicianship superb... two thumbs up. This is as good as it gets.
Bill Wilson - Reflections in Blue
A solid formation that delivers damn good music!
Gilbert Bereau - Sur La Route De Memphis Magazine - France
... we demand that they come to our region because we need more of their warm soulful blues
Rootsville Magazine - Belgium
...can be listened to invariably at any time of the day, try it for sure!
Fed Delforge - ZicaZac Records - France
... sizzling musicianship on display. All in all, you’re in for a treat. Go get it!
Down at the Crossroads
You’ll hear R&B, swamp and stomp... You can’t help but get up and start moving.
Jim Hynes Elmore Magazine