Customer Reviews

Drive You Home Again

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As usual from Chris Smither, a mix of outstanding originals and a few traditional-oriented songs of other writers. The originals are always, as on this CD, the best reason to buy Smither and listen over and over again, but the absolute highlight for those who appreciate a new take on an old favorite: DUNCAN AND BRADY. Heard it the radio on the way home from work, I was jumping out of my truck, roaring down I-95!! The old story with the most commonly used verses, but with an up-tempo, railroad rif. Even if great honky-tonk doesn't do it for you like it does for me and mine, OH LORDY, this is HOT TIME BOGEY!! When I got home, I played it for my lady [who was always very partial to the 60's Tom Rush version] and ...well, suffice it to say it was a great weekend! COOKIN! (:)))) GET THIS CD NOW!

It's been about ten years now that I've been listening to Chris Smither, and in that time, all he has done is become more of a legend in my mind. For me, there is no one better to remind me that I am not the one who is blue, cause if I've been blue, well, Chris has been deep indigo.

The man has a witty, primal sense of the language which he uses to form songs that the listener not only can identify with but also empathize or sympathize with and remember. The songs take on deeper meanings and a real sensibility the more you listen. Fortunately for us, Chris not only sings these lyrics with incredible range, he also plays that blue guitar of his with some serious gusto and skill...his earlier works showcase his solo playin but the new releases, this one in particular, really emphasize his ability to bring together his songs as compositions, utilizing many instruments to create a very rich and full, yet not overdone sound. The last two CD's have been a delight that way...but this one is the gem.

As an overall comment, "Drive You Home Again" is one CD I can't take out of my player. What an amazing bit of work!...Chris really scores with all the tracks, but my two favorites are "No Love Today" and "Hey Hey Hey." This is a CD well worth checking out...my only complaint is that there are 25 minutes of unused time on the CD - we could've used a few more tracks, but oh well - more for next time.

One final thing, if you get the chance, see Chris perform live! He is even better once you capture the pulse of his music in person. Thanks Chris!

I just got home from Chris Smither's 10:30 pm set at "The Bottom Line" in New York City where he performed several songs from this brilliant new CD. I find myself blown away by the amazing sounds Smithers is able to coax from his guitar strings, and this CD captures them beautifully. "Drive You Home Again" showcases Smither's gifts as a soulful singer-songwriter (even poet-philosopher). Anyone who worried (like I did) that this CD wouldn't measure up to Smither's last work will set their fears to rest after the first listen. This one's a gem, too.

In the spirit of Mississippi John Hurt, this is The Blues. 4get the Folk label some have marked him!
Like other fans of Chris, I discovered his beauty from his 2nd LP.
"I'm A Stranger" quickly then became a "Must-Have".

Many, many years later [2004] I had wondered what became of Chris Smither, while visiting Tempe, AZ. I found "Drive You Home Again" -used- at ZIA Records while searching for anything by him other than what I already owned, and was surprised to find something 'fairly' recent!
Yeah, I was a bit late discovering this gem, but feel compelled now to say he hadn't missed a beat since his 2nd release, "Don't Drag It On"!

The music here is timeless, and must be heard by any Blues Fan.
If you're like me, pissed that you missed "Mississippi" John Hurt in his prime, you'll be glad to know you can still hear/listen to a Chris Smither now, perform as comparably as possible. He does add a bit of Jazz, though, to his Folkish-Blues on occasion. Nuttin' wrong with that, eh?

My only answer to the question I posed in my review title is that Chris Smither sings the type of music that is not usually played on the radio. If he were on the radio, everyone would own a Chris Smither album.

I saw Chris Smither at a show at the Old Town School of Folk Music several years ago. The tickets were free (from a friend who couldn't go). I had never heard of Smither before and I was bowled away. Not only did I love the music, but he is an excellent concert performer.

Smither combines a great voice, amazing guitar playing (influenced by Mississippi John Hurt), and extremely clever lyrics that make you think, laugh, or get wistful, often in the same song.

This is a superb album that I would recommend to anyone.

This cd was my introduction to Chris Smither, and I'm so glad that I took a chance. Intelligent lyrics, memorable tunes, this collection is a brilliant folk/blues hybrid. This is one of those rare recordings that I simply have no urge to remove from my cd player. . .it just keeps getting better. Highly recommended.

i heard this on the radio a couple of weeks ago and had to hear the rest. Except for the last two cuts which seem out of sych with the rest of the music this is a first rate CD. he's a poet with lyrics, the melodies are floating or funky, toe tapping rhythms, the CD is fun to listen to... again and again.

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 had some things going for him. He plays that signature blue guitar for all it is worth of such as Steel Guitar yet can turn it down several notches for a song like Rattlesnake Preacher and then goes softer on reflective songs like So Long. Moreover he is as capable as a songwriter as any of writing of longing, lost love, thoughts of mortality and...being stupid in the world. Witness No Love Today on that last point. Then turn it up a notch with a bittersweet song like Don't Make Promises. Yes, Chris had the tool to go out and slay the dragons of the folk world. That work may not be well known outside the precincts of the graying folk world, but it should be.

After falling in love with Smither's newest CD, Waiting on a Train, I decided to try this one. A big disappointment! What I love about Smither on the new CD is how wonderful his guitar playing is and how well he accompanies himself. On Drive You Home Again, Bruton overproduced the album. There are too many musicians and just too much stuff going on that you only hear Smither as a singer. The arrangments lack all of the sweetness that makes Waiting on a Train so great. I would not recommend this CD.

This CD is really one of my all time favorite CD's. For me, this CD provides moments like at a Grateful Dead show when, the music lifts the top of your head, allowing pure thought below. Really don't know how else to put it.
P.S. the other reviewer was absolutely correct about the last two tracks.