Black Mountain Blue is the latest culmination of music from Central Ohio's own Smokestack Lightning, and is their first complete studio album since forming in June of 2000. It was recorded at The Manor Analogue Studio in Texas over the course of 4 days in November of 2014 by engineer Stephen King. Smokestack's been rocking crowds at local venues and recording several EP's with their blend of southern rock, blues, soul, and many other musical influences ever since their formation. It began with two friends from Gallipolis, Ohio; Singer Dan Rees and lead guitarist Dan Perkins. The two Dans recruited another native Gallipolisian drummer Mark Willis. An ad was placed for bassist wanted and Robb Carter answered the call. There was immediate electricity during the first session together. Initially a common thread of a love for blues was a main influence for many of the first compositions. A few years later, drummer Jason "Big Jay" Cowans took over on the drums and the band evolved once more into a more soulful and musically diverse direction. The band continued to play out locally and write original material, all the while, continuing to get tighter and tighter. The band recruited rhythm guitarist Dan Kenny to fill out the rest of the rhythm section and work soon began on Black Mountain Blue. They wanted to create a showcase for the many styles of music they've honed thus far. As far as specific musical influences are concerned, there's a lot of diversity in that as well. The Black Crowes, Steely Dan, Neil Young, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, just to name a few. The title track Black Mountain Blue is based on a strange encounter Rees had while returning from a favorite vacation spot of the band's. Black Mountain is a small town outside of Ashville, NC. While driving down a windy road on a misty morning, he saw an image of a teenage girl soaking wet and dressed in all white standing on the side of the road. Something didn't seem quite right about the girl, and when he checked his mirror for her, she was gone. He asked a friend of his who lives in the area about the girl. He told Rees that she was a commonly seen apparition in the area which moved him to pen the lyrics. Firecan Sam is a chilling story about a serial arsonist. The main musical theme was written and performed by Perkins on the keys. Garners Ford is a straight forward folk rock tune about growing up in a small town.The chorus features beautiful two-part harmonies by Kenny and Rees. Sins of Our Fathers features Perkins again on the keys and a poignant statement about the impacts of our parents on us. Drunkard's Waltz this time features Rees on the piano and is a great 3/4 tune to tip a glass to. Whipping the Mule is a tune written mostly spontaneously and sports a bit of the original blues-rock flavor Smokestack cut it's teeth on. Living With You is a funky mover with a super smooth solo. Other tunes really are difficult to describe in words and need to be heard! Smokestack has always taken pride in creating truly original music that defies classification, and this is no exception.