While it’s true that h… Read Full Bio ↴Ash Grunwald is an Australian blues musician.
While it’s true that his music is steeped in the Delta blues tradition of the legendary acoustic musicians who proliferated in pre-World War II America’s deep South and the giants of electric blues who shaped rock and roll, it’s the young Victorian’s willingness to combine these influences with grooves and sounds common in contemporary music that sets him apart.
A soulful singer and guitar player, Grunwald immediately drew attention with the release of 2002’s ‘Introducing … Ash Grunwald’ a collection of originals and blues standards that included ‘Smokestack Lightnin’ (Howlin’ Wolf) ‘The Sky Is Crying’ (Elmore James), and ‘Rolling and Tumbling’ (Robert Johnson) recorded live with only acoustic guitar and foot percussion consisting of a stomp box and tambourine.
The positive response to Grunwald’s debut resulted in two Victorian Blues awards for Emerging Talent and Album of the Year.
The following year he scored two Australian Blues awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and Best New Talent in addition to the MBAS’ Blues Performer of the Year. He also reached the final of the International Blues Performer of the Year in Memphis.
In 2004 Grunwald released his follow up album, I Don’t Believe, once again recorded solo and live.
Since his initial release he’d been made aware of two Tom Waits albums, Swordfishtrombones and Bone Machine. In a daring move he emulated Waits’ experimental bang and clang percussion using hammers, spanners, pots, etc, in addition to a boss loop station as a bed for his lap steel, dobro, and acoustic guitars.
The album included six originals, two of Waits’ compositions, "Going out West" and "Jesus Gonna Be Here" (a-cappella with handclaps) and blues standards "Walking Blues" and "Cross Roads" (Robert Johnson), "Empire State" (Son House), and "How Many More Years" (Howlin’ Wolf).
On the strength of this release Ash won an ARIA award nomination for Best Blues And Roots Album, and the Victorian Blues award for Male Vocalist Of The Year (equal with Lloyd Spiegel) and in 2005 the MBAS Vic / Tas award for Solo / Duo Of The Year (equal with Dave Hogan).
For the ‘Live At The Corner’ album (songs from his first two releases plus Willie Dixon’s ‘Spoonful’ featuring Ian Collard on harmonica) Ash won the 2005 MBAS Vic / Tas and Australian Blues award’s Album Of The Year in addition to being nominated once again for the Best Blues And Roots album at the ARIA’s.
Ash has built a substantial following performing at countless live venues around the country and at major festivals including Byron Bay, Port Fairy, Falls, Apollo Bay, Fremantle, Cockatoo Island and Margaret River.
In May 2005, Ash was invited to take over the reins as host of Triple J’s popular Thursday night show Roots ‘N All.
Ash Grunwald continues to forge his own identity with the release of twelve original songs on album number four, ‘Give Signs’ recorded on his own label Delta Groove Records. As usual it will be live and solo. And as usual, it is another terrific offering from this talented performer.
Smokestack Lightning
Ash Grunwald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shinin' just like gold
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?
A whoo hoo, whoo hoo, whoo
Whoa oh tell me, baby
What's the matter with you?
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?
Whoa oh tell me, baby
Where did ya, stay last night?
A-why don't ya hear me cryin'?
Whoo hoo, whoo hoo, whooo
Whoa oh, stop your train
Let her go for a ride
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?
Whoo hoo, whoo hoo, whooo
Whoa oh, fare ya well
Never see, a you no more
A-why don't ya hear me cryin'?
Whoo hoo, whoo hoo, whooo
Whoa oh, who been here baby since
I, I been gone, a little bitty boy?
Girl, be on
Whoo hoo, whoo hoo, whooo
The song "Smokestack Lightning" by Ash Grunwald is a cover of the blues classic originally recorded by Howlin' Wolf in 1956. The song is a classic example of low-down, gritty blues, with a driving rhythm and raw vocals. Grunwald's version stays true to the original, with his gravelly voice and distorted guitar providing a modern twist.
The lyrics of "Smokestack Lightning" are full of metaphor and innuendo. The first verse describes the smokestack as "shinin' just like gold," suggesting that it represents something precious or valuable. The second and third verses address a lover, asking why they don't hear the singer's cries and where they were the night before. The fourth verse uses the image of a train to suggest that the singer's lover should let go and go on their own way. The final verse is a farewell, with the singer lamenting that he will never see the person again.
Overall, the lyrics of "Smokestack Lightning" paint a picture of a raw, emotional relationship full of passion and turmoil. The driving rhythm and gravelly voice of Ash Grunwald's cover add to the sense of urgency and intensity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah oh, smokestack lightnin'
The powerful smokestack is emitting light, and it's an alarming signal.
Shinin' just like gold
The smokestack's light is shining like gold and draws attention to itself.
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?
The singer is crying out for help, and nobody seems to listen to him.
A whoo hoo, whoo hoo, whoo
The artist's emotion intensifies as he keeps crying out.
Whoa oh tell me, baby
The artist addresses his concerns to a person who might be able to help him.
What's the matter with you?
The singer wants to know if there is a reason why nobody hears his cry for help.
Where did ya, stay last night?
The singer inquires about the whereabouts of the person he is addressing.
A-why don't ya hear me cryin'?
The artist repeats his plea for help as he feels ignored and neglected.
Whoa oh, stop your train
The artist wants to halt the train to draw attention to his plight.
Let her go for a ride
The artist doesn't explain what he means by this line, but it suggests that he wants someone to help him.
Fare ya well
The singer is saying goodbye, but he doesn't want to be forgotten.
Never see, a you no more
The artist fears that he might be abandoned and forgotten by the person he addresses.
Who been here baby since
The singer is asking for information about what happened while he was gone.
I, I been gone, a little bitty boy?
The singer emphasizes that his absence was during a time when he was young and perhaps vulnerable.
Girl, be on
The singer's mood switches to a resigned tone as he advises the person he addresses to move on without him.
Whoo hoo, whoo hoo, whooo
The song's refrain repeats the artist's plea for help as he feels increasingly desperate and hopeless.
Writer(s): Chester Burnett
Contributed by Chase W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Greg Parker
Mighty version by fine Melbourne (Australia) blues man & his great trio !!
Sandy Godfrey
Simply, bloody brilliant
P K
Ash Grunwald is a bad ass.
Daniel Goodyou Arroyo
BLUESNISIMO . FROM ASH HOWLIN SMOKE LIGHTIN . HAPPY DAY HAPPY LIFE
Prince Of Cats
Okay