On 12th July 2019 Russell Smith, leadsinger and guitarist of the American country rock band The Amazing Rhythm Aces sadly passed away. After that, Billy Earheart, head of ARA along with Russel Smith, announced the definite end of the band. The country rockers take leave from their fans now with a fantastic live recording from the club "Moments" in Bremen/Germany, which was recorded on March 20th in the year 2000 by the German radio station Radio Bremen. In the line-up of Smith, Earheart, Jeff "Stick" Davis (ex- Burrito Deluxe, John Mayall), Bryan Owings (ex- Burrito Deluxe) and Fred James (ex- The Burritos, Flying Burrito Brothers) the five Grammy winners pull out all their stops once again and offer their Americana rock at it's best for almost two hours in front of an enthusiastic audience, including the big hits "The End Is Not In Sight (The Cowboy Song)", "Third Rate Romance", "Dancing The Night Away" and of course "Amazing Grace (Used To Be Her Favourite Song)". 111 minutes, which even 20 years later still sound amazingly fresh and fit perfectly into the current Americana/Roots scene. As already said, the Amazing Rhythm Aces have always been ahead of their time somehow. Unfortunately Russell Smith can no longer witness this excellent release, but all the years before he and his excellent bandmates - to pick up the liner notes from the ARA album "Stacked Deck" - carried the tradition of music from Memphis all over the world (and this evening especially to Bremen): honest, punchy, emotional, thrilling! An honourable and also a bit melancholic farewell.
On 12th July 2019 Russell Smith, leadsinger and guitarist of the American country rock band The Amazing Rhythm Aces sadly passed away. After that, Billy Earheart, head of ARA along with Russel Smith, announced the definite end of the band. The country rockers take leave from their fans now with a fantastic live recording from the club "Moments" in Bremen/Germany, which was recorded on March 20th in the year 2000 by the German radio station Radio Bremen. In the line-up of Smith, Earheart, Jeff "Stick" Davis (ex- Burrito Deluxe, John Mayall), Bryan Owings (ex- Burrito Deluxe) and Fred James (ex- The Burritos, Flying Burrito Brothers) the five Grammy winners pull out all their stops once again and offer their Americana rock at it's best for almost two hours in front of an enthusiastic audience, including the big hits "The End Is Not In Sight (The Cowboy Song)", "Third Rate Romance", "Dancing The Night Away" and of course "Amazing Grace (Used To Be Her Favourite Song)". 111 minutes, which even 20 years later still sound amazingly fresh and fit perfectly into the current Americana/Roots scene. As already said, the Amazing Rhythm Aces have always been ahead of their time somehow. Unfortunately Russell Smith can no longer witness this excellent release, but all the years before he and his excellent bandmates - to pick up the liner notes from the ARA album "Stacked Deck" - carried the tradition of music from Memphis all over the world (and this evening especially to Bremen): honest, punchy, emotional, thrilling! An honourable and also a bit melancholic farewell.
