This is I Can Tell by the Way You Smell, the tenth single from the upcoming CD NARROW AND STEEP by San Franscisco based singer-songwriter Denny Brown. 

Every 3-4 weeks a new single will be released in a RANDOM ORDER, each with its own unique cover, leading up to a full digital release in the beginning of 2016. In addition, we will be releasing a few short films, both unplugged performances as well as music videos.

"I am interested in timelesss music. Not nostalgia but a sound that defies to be part of a certain period. Music that is hard to pin down when it was first recorded. When a sound, a song structure, a melody feels both of the past and present, and when they melt into one another, it can be forever."
Denny Brown San Francisco 2016

Single #6 I Can Tell by the Way You Smell

This song is not just about lust but rather knowing and accepting the entirety of human desire.  Especially, when it comes to understanding the magic of youth and its consequences. Fantastic lyrics from two country blues songs written by Walter Davis and Speckled Red (Rufus Perryman) are the inspiration for this song and I combined them with jug band style melody.

When I was young, I spent a lot of time reading books by Paul Oliver and Samuel Charters, who gave us scholarly accounts of the great country blues musicians and their songs.  There I read about Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, Skip James, and so many others. Their songs, guitar playing and singing styles overtook me.  I was lucky enough to meet John Lee Hooker, Doc Ross and Revered Gary Davis while still in high school in Detroit.

Later in New York, I studied and worked with Jesse Fuller, Bukka White, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. 
What an education!

Even though the blues tradition is in pretty good hands today, I am always surprised that there are still so many foundational artists that remain unknown.  

I will introduce you to more in the future. 

Your hair’s all wrinkled covered with sweat
Undershirt wringing wet
You show that cotton to any man
That’s something little baby
I can’t understand

Run here mama look at Sis
Playing with her monkey
Up to her wrist
Billy’s got the motion
Sally’s got the swing
Out in the field playing everything

Refrain:
 I aint angry, I can tell
Know where you been
By the way you smell

Yonder is Sally across the field
Shaking and running like an automobile
Tried to catch her
She can’t wait
Running her engine like a Ford V8

All you babies fall in line
Shake and shimmy like I’m shaking mine
Shake and shimmy, shake it fast
Shake, shake, shake, yeah, yeah, yeah