Though political activism is the norm in folk music, in other genres, some artists shy away from political statements for fear of alienating a portion of their fanbase. That list, however, would never include Smoky Greenwell. Ever since the blues harpist’s 2008 “Between Iraq and a Hard Place,” which called out the government on its “war based on lies,” he would sprinkle in a politically motivated original or two on subsequent releases. 
Blues for Democracy is a collection of mainly previously-released politically -minded songs addressing shortcomings in our government. At the forefront of these shuffles, jammers, and slammers are new songs, “Filibuster Blues” and “Liars, Cheaters, and Losers,” as bold as ever, co-written with longtime cohort Johnny Neel. The former Allman Brother also plays keyboards, piano and organ on nearly every track.
Leading the way with his signature bluesy harmonica on “Filibuster Blues,” Greenwell delivers such piercing lines as “It’s just a remnant of Jim Crow/ We don’t want minority rule” about the parliamentary tactic affiliated with civil rights opposition for more than a century. On “Liars, Cheaters, and Losers,” Greenwell protests dubious practices like gerrymandering with “They can’t win the house, so they stop you from making a selection,” referring to the manipulation of electoral boundaries to create an unfair advantage for a political party. Also covered is the stacking of conservative judges with the provocative “They can’t win in court/ So they weaponize the Supreme Court.”
Since Greenwell realizes he’s smacking it hard with the new material and listeners may need a respite, he counters with an ideological notion: Wilbert Harrison’s aptly titled “Let’s Work Together.” Thematically, it dovetails in perfectly.
Blues for Democracy also serves as a reminder of how certain tracks deserve a second look years later. The entrancing 8:43 “Common Ground” was the extended, alternative version of the shorter radio edit from 2019s Blues And The Power Of Peace and featured an unbreakable bond between Greenwell, Neel, and the band locked in a torrid epic jam. Also sealing the deal is the profound line, “There’s more to love/than there is to hate.”
Give props to Greenwell for his socially-conscious “Homeless Christmas” (from Smokin’ Christmas) for an ugly subject where it’s easy to look the other way. It’s a reminder that not everyone’s Christmas is an artificial replica of the sappy Hallmark Channel. It’s also another barnburner of a track, something that seems to be part of Greenwell’s signature, in addition to the occasional political/social commentary that we need more of.
Smoky Greenwell political
