Customer Reviews

It Ain't Easy

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of all of the music I own, Chris Smither's work lands in the top 3 of my most prized albums. His cheek-full lower tones rise to a full force shout as the emotion in the music changes. All the while, his hard driving acoustic pinger picking keeps the rhythm and melody, casting a spell all its own.

As one magazine reviewer noted some time ago, the music is the work of a very complex sensibility. Much more going on here than meets the eye, and I find that each time I listen to a song, I discover something I hadn't noticed before. An inflection, a melodic sweet spot, or a glimpse of Chris's subtle humor. Outstanding. 5 stars is not enough. I also recommend "Another Way to Find You".

Wait till you have a bad day, week, month, or year (get fired, divorced, audited, whatever) Take both albums, buy yourself a fifth of scotch and settle in on the couch in front of the stereo. You'll come away with a new perspective.

This is the Chris Smither album to buy if you want to hear Chris play without accompanyment. Chris' other albums are wonderful in their own unique ways, however, there's nothing like the sound of Chris playing with his old Epiphone guitar. His later albums employ the use of a cheap Alvarez that looks cool, but has no soul. That having been said, this album most faithfully recreates his live sound in a way none of his other recordings even approach. When a singer/songwriter is limited to his voice and guitar (and foot--for percission), he has to say a lot with very little. And Chris' sound speaks volumes on this LP. A must own for the Chris Smither fanatic, and previous concert attendee. My favorite song on the album is "Sittin on top of the World." Chris is simply the finest singer/songwriter in the United States. Unparalleled in performance--singularly gifted in crafting intellegent lyrics full of pathos and good 'ol fashioned blues tales.

You want to get into Chris Smither's roots? Here's your chance. Lots of good stuff here, Mississippi John Hurt stuff - good stuff reminded me I haven't listened to John Hurt in a while. Smooth finger style playing, intimate singing voice all the stuff you like about Chris. Maybe not some of his sophisticated writing as on more recent recordings but an eminently listenable album. Reminds you that Chris has been around for a while playing with invention and quality. Reminds you of some older songs you haven't listened to in a while. If you're a Chris Smitters groupee it's a must have. If you like folk music its quality stuff and good vintage work. If you're new to Chris Smithers get something more recent as the guys masterfull and then come back to this one when you have absolutely have everything of his.

I am biased. I love everything Chris Smithers does. I can't believe he is not a household name. He is a perfectionist about his song writing, his playing style is amazing, and even in this old CD, early on in his career, he has a unique sound. He says he was influenced by early blues guys, but he brought something new to the game. I just wish he would tour in the west.... come on Chris, get out of Boston once in a while! There is a great venue here in Paonia Colorado called the Paradise which you would sound very good in! Thanks for your music, Chris, your stuff is the most played out of thousands on my IPOD.

In typical Chris Smither form this album is a generous mixture of his poetry and lovely guitar melodies along with a generous heaping of standards by other excellent writers. This album talks of the hardships we are all faced with often on a day to day basis. Chris somehow makes them sound enjoyable and takes you away into that special place where for a moment in time you can appreciate something beautiful. This is a really good album. The first track "Footloose" is particularly good. In my opinion there is not one bad track and not many albums can boast that.