His affinity for R&B melded with his own personal style, and he quickly became a local legend. He moved to New York City, where he met George Benson, the guitarist for Jack McDuff's band. Benson and Smith connected on a personal level, and the two formed the George Benson Quartet featuring Lonnie Smith in 1966. After two albums (It's Uptown and Cookbook), Smith recorded his first solo album (Finger Lickin' Good) in 1967, with George Benson on guitar, Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax, Melvin Sparks on guitar and Marion Booker on drums. This combination remained stable for the next five years. In 1967, Smith met Lou Donaldson, who put him in contact with Blue Note Records. Donaldson asked the quartet to record an album for Blue Note, Alligator Boogaloo. Blue Note was so impressed by the album that they signed Smith for the next four albums, all of which are now considered classics of Soul Jazz. This highly influential period produced Think (with Melvin Sparks, Marion Booker, Lee Morgan and David Newman) and Turning Point (with Lee Morgan, Benny Maupin, Melvin Sparks and Idris Muhammed). The latter is largely regarded as his most seminal studio album.
Smith toured the Northeastern United States heavily during this period, proving himself to be one of New York's finest musicians. He concentrated largely on smaller neighborhood venues during this period, playing SRO shows that boosted his credibility and allowed him to develop his style more intimately in front of his audience. His sidemen included Ronnie Cuber, Dave Hubbard, Bill Easley and George Adams on sax, Donald Hahn on trumpet, George Benson and Larry McGee on guitars, and Joe Dukes, Sylvester Goshay, Phillip Terrell, Marion Booker, Jimmy Lovelace, Charles Crosby, Art Gore, Norman Conners and Bobby Durham on drums. Smith's next album Move Your Hand was recorded at the Club Harlem in Atlantic City, New Jersey in August of 1969. This surprise hit spread allowed his reputation to grow beyond the Northeast. He would record another studio album Drives and one more live album Live at Club Mozambique before leaving Blue Note. Live at Club Mozambique was recorded in Detroit on 21 May 1970, and is considered to be his finest live recording.
Dr. Smith continues to tour and produce albums (his latest work is Too Damn Hot, and rumour has it that he is due to release another one this fall), but he still comes back to the Buffalo and Rochester areas to play small venues as a tribute to the area he considers his home. When asked why he calls himself 'Doctor', he calmly states that it is for the same reason why he now wears a turban to all of his shows: "No particular reason." Dr. Smith has been awarded the Organ Keyboardist of the Year award in 2003, 2004 and 2005 by the Jazz Journalist Association.
Smith died on September 28, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 79.
Spinning Wheel
Lonnie Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spinning Wheel got to go 'round
Talkin' 'bout your troubles
It's a cryin' sin
Ride a painted pony
Let the Spinning Wheel spin
You got no money, you got no home
Spinning Wheel all alone
You never learn
Ride a painted pony
Let the Spinning Wheel turn
Did you find your directing sign
On the straight and narrow highway
Would you mind a reflecting sign?
Just let it shine within your mind
And show you the colors that are real
Someone is waiting just for you
Spinning Wheel spinning true
Drop all you troubles by the river side
The lyrics to Lonnie Smith’s “Spinning Wheel” speak about the inevitability of life’s ups and downs. The opening lines, “What goes up must come down / Spinning Wheel got to go ‘round” emphasize this point in a straightforward manner. The chorus, “Talkin’ ‘bout your troubles, it’s a cryin’ sin / Ride a painted pony, let the Spinning Wheel spin” communicates that everyone will experience difficulties, but the key is to keep moving forward and ride life’s “Spinning Wheel” as it turns. The painted pony can be seen as a metaphor for a carefree attitude and the idea of surrendering oneself to life’s twists and turns.
The second verse turns its attention towards those who are less fortunate, “You got no money, you got no home / Spinning Wheel all alone / Talkin’ ‘bout your troubles and you / You never learn / Ride a painted pony, let the Spinning Wheel turn.” Here, Lonnie describes the difficult circumstances of some people’s lives and the inevitability of their struggles. The lyrics suggest that despite these hardships, one should still embrace life and let the Spinning Wheel turn. The final verse urges listeners to look inward for guidance, “Did you find your directing sign / On the straight and narrow highway / Would you mind a reflecting sign? / just let it shine within your mind / And show you the colors that are real / Someone is waiting just for you / Spinning Wheel spinning true / Drop all your troubles by the riverside.” Here, the lyrics encourage the idea of finding one’s own path in life, and embracing the colors that are real, or the things that truly matter.
Line by Line Meaning
What goes up must come down
The inevitable law of physics that what goes up must come down
Spinning Wheel got to go 'round
Life is constantly moving and changing, and we must keep up with it
Talkin' 'bout your troubles
Focusing on and complaining about your problems
It's a cryin' sin
It's a pitiful and sorrowful state to be in
Ride a painted pony
Take an enjoyable ride on your imagination and creativity
Let the Spinning Wheel spin
Embrace life's twists and turns and let fate take its course
You got no money, you got no home
You are in a state of poverty and homelessness
Spinning Wheel all alone
You are facing life's challenges by yourself
Talkin' 'bout your troubles and you
You are focused on discussing and dealing with your problems
You never learn
You fail to recognize the lessons that life is teaching you
Ride a painted pony
Escape reality and go on an adventure through your mind
Let the Spinning Wheel turn
Accept the changes and unpredictability of life
Did you find your directing sign
Did you discover your purpose or direction in life?
On the straight and narrow highway
On the path of personal growth and morality
Would you mind a reflecting sign?
Would you be willing to take guidance and support?
Just let it shine within your mind
Allow the guidance and support to generate from within yourself
And show you the colors that are real
Reveal the true and vibrant aspects of life
Someone is waiting just for you
Someone special is waiting for you to connect with them
Spinning Wheel spinning true
Life's unpredictable nature is constant and true
Drop all you troubles by the river side
Let go of all your problems and let nature rejuvenate you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Clayton-Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex _Harnar_618
There were 5 samples in the song:
‘Flute Loop’ by the Beastie Boys (1994)
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1. ‘Flute Thing’ - The Blues Project (1966) (Which is the main sample for the song that contains the flute solo, the guitar riff & the piano riff)
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2. ‘Rubber Lips’ - Young-Holt Unlimited (1972) (Which are the drums used throughout the song.)
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3. ‘Spinning Wheel’ - Lonnie Smith (1970) (Which is the drum beat sampled at 54 seconds into the song.)
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4. ‘Dub Revolution’ - Lee “Scratch” Perry & The Upsetters (1975) (Which are the vocals saying the line: “This Is Dub Revolution, Music to Rock the Nation.” Throughout each chorus of the song)
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5. ‘I Spy Cops’ - Richard Pryor (1971) (Which is the vocal samples used right in the beginning)
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Dylan Fulmer
RIP, Doc. What a talent.
Sueyyness 36
Seeing Tribe and Dr. Lonnie Smith was a trip. Getting to pay homage to my hip hop and jazz heros was a satisfying experience.
suitandtieguy
You saw them together?
Thomas Johnson Jr
THIS HAS BEEN SAMPLED ON SO MANY RAP RECORDINGS AS FAR AS THE DRUMS, TAKING THE KICK, SNARE AND EVEN THE HI HAT IF YOU CHOP THEM ON THE MPC OR THE SP1200, STILL A CULT CLASSIC!!!!!!!!
Ralph Davies
like wu tang th chamber
Rodney Wyatt
Shout out to Joe Dukes on those drums!!!
aidan brymer
In my opinion his best song. When the drummer is switching between the high hat and ride and doing that awesome kick while still staying in the pocket is crazy!
Rodney Wyatt
aidan brymer Joe Dukes was the drummer that played on this!!!
J-Boogie Brown
@Rodney Wyatt Did he drum on any other funky stuff like this?
Rodney Wyatt
J-Boogie Brown I’m sure he did. He also backed another Legendary Organist Brother Jack McDuff who included a young George Benson in his band!!!!