Leave The Light On

If I were to ask someone, in the year 2008, to name a male folk singer from the 1960's I would assume that if I were to get an answer to that question that the name would be Bob Dylan. And that would be a good and appropriate choice. One can endlessly dispute whether or not Dylan was (or wanted to be) the voice of the Generation of '68 but in terms of longevity and productivity he fits the bill as a known quality. However, there were a slew of other male folk singers who tried to find their niche in the folk milieu and who, like Dylan, today continue to produce work and to perform. The artist under review Chris Smithers is one such singer/songwriter.

I do not know if Chris Smithers, like his contemporary Bob Dylan, started out wanting to be the king of the hill among male folk singers but he certainly has some things going for him. He plays that signature blue guitar for all it is worth of such covers as Cold Blues yet can turn it down several notches for a song like Leave The Light On and then goes softer on reflective songs like the tribute Father's Day. Moreover he is as capable as any songwriter of writing of longing, lost love, thoughts of mortality and.....being stupid in the world. Witness Origin of The Species on that last point. Then turn it up a notch with a bittersweet song. And then, finally, as if to pay homage to the icon of the generation, one who helped keep the genre alive for the likes of Chris, a nod to Dylan with an outstanding rendition of Visions of Johanna. Yes, Chris had the tool to go out and slay the dragons of the folk world. His work may not be well known outside the precincts of the graying folk world, but it should be.

Every time Chris Smither produces a new cd, I buy it, love it, and give a compilation of some of the songs for my friends in the hopes that they will buy the cd as well, because this guy deserves the money. He's a first rate song interpreter (check out his version of Dylan's 'Visions of Johanna"), a superb blues/folk guitar player and an excellent songwriter. Buy this cd and it will be money well spent.

I don't really like comparing musicians to other musicians, but instead as an individual. After all we are all influenced by lots of other people. But to give you an idea of what Chris Smithers might remind you of, is Bob Dylan but with a much smoother warm voice. His lyrics are wonderful.

The very catchy pulse of his music irresistibly pulls you and his very clever poetic words gives you something to think about. This guy is the real deal. I can't for the life of me, figure out why he isn't winning Grammy's. If you are student of guitar, listen to his style of playing. It is really sweet. In our house we buy every release and every one of them is excellent! Good driving music. Thank you Chris Smithers.

Chria Smither has been turning out great CD's for several decades now, and his newest, "Leave the Light On", is no exception. The title track is a brilliant, upbeat, uptempo dirge (Chris has always been full of contradictions) that will speak directly to those members of the Woodstock generation who have recently become keenly aware of their age and its concomitant frailties. Though the rest of the album does not quite measure up to this one great song, it also does not disappoint with good, solid blues riffs abounding. Chris' two previous albums, "Train Home" and "Drive You Home Again", were also brilliant in their own way. This is top notch songwriting and playing by a master who's still at the top of his game.

I discovered Chris Smither on a recent trip to Boston (they were playing one of his CDs at Baja Betty's in Brookline), and I ordered this CD when I got home.

It doesn't disappoint!! Chris Smither is an excellent craftsman, with lyrics and music reminiscent of Guy Clark and all those others you probably already know and love.

But even though he may remind you of another artist or artists at first listen, he stands on his own. With each subsequent listen, you pick up the subtleties in his music that make him unique, and you enjoy it even more.

Chris Smith is our new favorite musical find. We're stocking our library with his albums.