Aaron Smith & The Coal Biters are prepping for the release of a new project. It's titled The Legend of Sam Davis And Other Stories of Newton County, Arkansas and has a drop date of July 15th, 2023. But first, for those of you not yet familiar with the act in question, a bit o’ background.
Aaron Smith & The Coal Biters##
According to the band’s official website, Aaron Smith & The Coal Biters was founded in Newton County, Arkansas. American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Smith met vocalist and percussionist Ryan Gentry in 2013. In 2014 Smith met and recruited multi-instrumentalist George Holcomb to complete the band.
They released their debut disc, The Way the World Turns, the following year. Smith’s rockin’ resume also includes becoming “a Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Finalist in 2016”, and winning “at New Folk and the BMG Songwriter Showcase at the Power of Music Festival” in 2019.
Signature Sound
Aaron Smith & The Coal Biters’ signature sound is a mix of multiple music genres including Americana, country, folk, and a hint of jazz. Smith’s influences include Flannery O’Connor, John Hartford, John Prine, David Wilcox, and Jack Williams. Smith also co-composed several songs with Lisa Aschmann who reportedly inspired him with “the way she looks at the world, looking for traces of the divine even in the smallest things. Even today, writing by myself, she is like a co-writer.” Smith concludes: “So much of what I write, I could not have written without her.”
The Legend of Sam Davis And Other Stories of Newton County, Arkansas
The Legend of Sam Davis And Other Stories of Newton County, Arkansas is a 14-track album with a running time of almost 56 minutes. Due to the passing of Holcomb at the age of 76, it is the second and last album by the tuneful trio. It features Smith on vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro, french horn, accordina, and keys; Holcomb on upright bass, clarinet, and vocals; and Gentry on percussion and harmony vocals.
The project comes complete with a compendium of “essays, family photos, maps, and original artwork” for each track by local artist, Dreama Phoenix. The songs are all original, harken back to the 1820s, and are mainly written by Smith.
Track by Track
The journey begins with “The Way to Sam’s Throne”. It not only sets the stage but tells listeners how to get there. Mind you, the best is yet to come as the story has yet to truly begin. It’s the only song not entirely written by Aaron Smith. This one is co-credited to Aaron’s daughter, Grae Smith who also provided vocals.
The next number is “Henry Martain”. This is the second song-story concerning one of the earlier settlers of the area. Here we hear of the French farmer and his Cherokee wife who were involved in the required removal of the Cherokee from the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains in 1839. Martian had to choose between staying alone where he was or relocating with his family. He chose the latter.
“Jack Evans” is the tuneful tale of the soldier who became a deserter and a horse thief to help the Martains sneak off into the Ozarks and thus avoid relocating to Indian Territory. “Curly and Tom” continues the multi-generational story. Curly and Tom were two indecent descendants who despite being raised properly still turned out to be criminals. It’s a nature vs nurture number wherein a mother mourns her oft’times awful offspring.
“Ab Clayborn” keeps the dark drama maniacally moving in a cut about a man out for revenge. The sixth songful serving is “Granny Brisco”. Here the band sings a song of the celebratory 88th birthday of Lizzie Brisco and her career as a horseback ridin’ midwife who delivered numerous babies for neighbors near and far.
The seventh selection is “Dead Man’s Hollow”. While Smith never truly learned the secrets of Sam’s Throne, he did hear of “a dead guy” who was found there and his unceremonious burial. It inspired this mournful piece. It includes Grae Smith again on vocals. “The Snow Child'' was inspired by a story about a mysterious orphan child found on Mt. Hersey. Kelly Muhollan guests on mandolin.
“The Lion and The Bear” introduces listeners to Sam Davis, an “eccentric mountain preacher” who is searching for his long-lost sister allegedly kidnapped by “a band of Shawnee Indians.” “Bent Twigs and Hoof Prints” flows from the previous piece as Sam continues his unsuccessful search. Kelly Muhollan appears on banjo. “The Daughter of My People” musically expresses the sadness and unexpected disappointment in his failed attempt. It’s a somber selection that nevertheless reveals the man has not lost his faith.
“Looky There” is welcomingly upbeat. Here we learn that Sam has gained a reputation as “the booming prophet of Big Creek.” He’s a man with “a grudge and a rifle” who is “gonna find his sister” and “gonna kill some Indians.” Also included here is “In The Quiet”. Here we learn more about Sam and something he heard while he was off hunting. Grae Smith guests again on vocals. The closing cut is “A Thousand Years”. It is a pretty, effective album endnote. Without giving anything away, the track brings things back around to Sam’s Throne.
Overall…
Overall, this unique folk release is a select group of songs that not only provide the new listener with an ample example of what the talented trio could do but also gives fans one final opportunity to listen and wonder about what could have been had the act not lost Holcomb. This ambitious offering includes material that is both thoughtful and thought-provoking as we are introduced to a new cast of characters including an eccentric street preacher, neighbors, grandparents, and other assorted outlaws. The songs are said to be “true stories of resilient people in tough times.”
Smith’s themes are sometimes hopeful, humorous, and universal. They often focus on family, life, love and longing, perseverance, survival, and other instances of human behavior. The melodies are expressive and arguably authentic.
It is an exceptional concept album that ties together fact, fiction, and local lore to present a memorable story. So, pick up Aaron Smith & The Coal Biters’ The Legend of Sam Davis And Other Stories of Newton County, Arkansas and enjoy it “In The Quiet.”
(Images courtesy of Aaron Smith & The Coal Biters)