Introduction
Robert Brown (July 31, 1927 – May 1973), who performed as Smoky Babe, was an American acoustic blues guitarist and singer, whose recording career was restricted to a couple of recording sessions in the early 1960s. He is variously described as a Louisiana blues, Piedmont blues and blues revival musician. His most noteworthy recordings were "Going Downtown Boogie," and "Ain't Got No Rabbit Dog."
Career
He was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, United States. Smoky Babe was recorded by Harry Oster of Louisiana State University in 1960 and 1961, and the results were released by the Folk Lyric, Bluesville and Storyville labels.
Outside of his recordings little is known of his life. The circumstances of his death are unclear. Some sources report that he died in June 1975, but researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc state that he probably died in May 1973 in Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
His song, "Boogy," was included on the compilation album, Blues Roots: Give Me The Blues (1979); whilst "Hottest Brand Goin'" and "Locomotive Blues" appeared on the 1998 collection, The Bluesville Years, Vol. 9: Down the Country Way.
Discography
- Smoky Babe and his Friends: Hot Blues (1961) – Folk-Lyric, 77 Records, Arhoolie
- Hottest Brand Goin (1961) – Bluesville
- Smoky Babe, Herman E. Johnson: Louisiana Country Blues (1997 ) – Arhoolie
- Smoky Babe: Way Back In The Country Blues (2014) – Arhoolie