Keep on Smilin' is the definitive
Wet Willie studio album, bluesier than a lot of their other work, and much of it also somewhat more laid-back. Beginning with
"Country Side of Life," the band sounds tight, tuned, and in top form. Their playing is clean and crisp, and the vocals exude a bold confidence. The hit title track is a compelling reggae-country meld that's one of the more interesting and long-wearing country-rock hits of its period. It's surrounded by gospel-flavored material and also one of the neater
Stax-influenced tracks ever put down by a white band,
"Soul Sister," which is also a great showcase for
the Williettes. Other highlights include the acoustic country ballad
"Alabama," a major change of pace for this band with some clever lyrical conceits; the ultra-funky
"Soul Jones" (which manages to work in a quote from
the Allman Brothers), and the soulful rocker
"Lucy Was in Trouble," which became a key part of the group's concert sets. The only drawback is that the group didn't quite have enough material to cover a whole album here, and also they're a little too loose compared with their live performances, as on
Drippin' Wet. The 1998
Capricorn remastering has an especially full sound, improving significantly on the original LP. ~ Bruce Eder
![Fried Green Tomatoes [Original Soundtrack]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0008811046125_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Fried Green Tomatoes [Original Soundtrack]")
