Dan Penn — “Smoke Filled Room” — The Last Music Company
Dan Penn is a great American songwriter whose name is not exactly a household word. But it should be.
He wrote or co-wrote some of the classics from the early southern soul music songbook — including classics like “I’m Your Puppet,” “The Dark End of the Street,” “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” with Chips Moman and “Cry Like a Baby” with Spooner Oldham.
He’s a fine singer, too, but chose songwriting when “I’m Your Puppet” became a giant hit for Jimmy and Bobby Purify in 1966, which was nominated for a Grammy in 1967.
Here’s how Wikipedia describes his early years:
“Penn grew up in Vernon, Alabama, United States, and spent much of his teens and early twenties in the Quad Cities–Muscle Shoals area. He was a regular at Rick Hall’s FAME Studios as a performer, songwriter, and producer. It was during his time with FAME that Penn cut his first record, “Crazy Over You” in 1960, and wrote his first hit, “Is a Bluebird Blue?”, which was recorded by Conway Twitty in the same year.”
Penn has recorded only a handful of albums on his own since 1973’s “Nobody’s Fool.” His most recent was “Living On Mercy” in 2020.
His latest, “Smoke Filled Room,” is not exactly his newest work. It’s a brilliant collection of almost-never-before released collection of eleven song demos. The sole song that has been recorded is the title track, by Irma Thomas on her 1992 album, “True Believer.”
The songs here are an outstanding selection of smoothly and soulfully sung tracks, all with sparse instrumental accompaniment that serves to emphasize Penn’s superb lyricism — and his intimate vocals.
Penn was kind enough to write liner notes commenting each song, so that I could copy them here to elaborate on his choices:
“Smoke Filled Room”
I’ve been trying to get this song cut for a long time. Andy Peake played drums on it and did some computer work that allowed me to sing it. Billy Lawson gave me a great mix down which finally sounded right.
“Blues of The Month Club”
An older demo that I cut with Gary and Carson. Always loved the track. Finally getting it out there.
“There’s Nothing Out There”
Found this one in the demo files. The Do Right Woman liked it and that was good enough for me. I like it too.
“The Longest Day”
Me and Carson (Whitsett) and Bucky (Lindsey) were down in Louisiana in a cabin writing songs one day, and Carson began playing some very nice chords on the piano. I had the tape recorder on and began singing along with him—we wrote this song with no discussion or anything—it just fell—it was a gift.
“Leave It Like You Found It”
Yours truly on the keyboards. I got lucky.
“Battling The Blues”
A three-way writing session that came out great. Me and Bucky and Carson wrote it here at my studio in Nashville. Always loved this one.
“Crazy Ol’ Girl”
Written and recorded in Florida at Studebaker John’s house.
“Hellbound Snowball”
The late and great Bobby Emmons laying it down. He was just so good.
“Let Love Begin With Me”
Charlie Taylor joined me and Carson for this gem, one of a kind song.
“Creator of All Things”
Swain Schaefer was a great piano player. We cut this in my studio.
“One Blue Light”
I wrote this over a five-year period. Billy Lawson cut the track, played everything, mixed and mastered it, and I made him co-producer of this track.
All that’s left for me to say is that this album is an excellent sampling of Penn’s inspired songwriting and his personal vocal style. It’s a revealing glimpse into his creative history.
Here are a few samples of some essential Dan Penn:
Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham perform “I’m Your Puppet.” They wrote the song in 1965, and a year later James and Bobby Purify made it a hit.
Here’s one of Penn’s first big soul hits, (written with Chips Moman) “The Dark End of the Street.” It was first recorded by James Carr in 1967. Carr was a great, but largely unheralded, soul singer.
Here’s “Smoke Filled Room” from the album:
Tracks and credits:
1. Smoke Filled Room (4:12) Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music; Carson Whitsett/High Horse Music; Johnny Barnett/Silver Bay Music. (BMI).
2. Blues of The Month Club (4:42) Carson Whitsett/High Horse Music; Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music. (BMI) Gary Nicholson/Sony ATV Crosskeys (ASCAP)
3. There’s Nothing Out There (3:49) Carson Whitsett/High Horse Music; Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music. (BMI)
4. The Longest Day (3:04) Carson Whitsett/High Horse Music; Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music. (BMI)
5. Leave It Like You Found It (3:55) Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music (BMI).
6. Battling The Blues (3:29) Bucky Lindsey/Hoy Lindsey Music; Carson Whitsett/High Horse Music; Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music(BMI).
7. Crazy Ol’ Girl (4:01) Bucky Lindsey/Hoy Lindsey Music; Carson Whitsett/High Horse Music; Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music(BMI).
8. Hellbound Snowball (3:43) Bobby Emmons/Attadoo Music; Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music (BMI).
9. Let Love Begin With Me (3:19) Charlie Taylor/Momo Taylor Music (ASCAP); Carson Whitsett/High Horse Music; Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music. (BMI)
10. Creator of All Things (4:33) Swain Schaefer/Swainsongs; Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music (BMI).
11. One Blue Light (3:49) Dan Penn/Dan Penn Music (BMI).
Musicians by track:
1. B3 ~ Carson Whitsett, Guitar ~ Mike Durham, Programming ~ Andy Peake, Bass ~ Paul Ossola.
2. Keyboards ~ Carson Whitsett, Guitar ~ Gary Nicholson.
3. Keyboards ~ Carson Whitsett.
4. Keyboards ~ Carson Whitsett.
5. All instruments played by Dan Penn.
6. Keyboards ~ Carson Whitsett, Bass ~ Bucky Lindsey.
7. Keyboards ~ Carson Whitsett, Lead Vocal ~ Bucky Lindsey.
8. Keyboards ~ Bobby Emmons, Guitar ~ Dan Penn.
9. All instruments played by Carson Whitsett.
10. Piano ~ Swain Schaefer.
11. All instruments played by Billy Lawson