Hundred Dollar Valentine

Chris Smither | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 19, 2012
• Label: Signature Sounds
• Copyright: 2012 Signature Sounds
• Total Length: 39:37
• Genres:
  • Folk
• ASIN: B0081QX5MK
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,421 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Like the Phoenix guitarist Smither re-emerges every few years with another fine album. July 2, 2012

By Steven I. Ramm TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:MP3 Music

I go back with guitarist Chris Smither, who was raised in New Orleans, studied Paris both for a while in public school and later in college, and migrated to New York and then Boston where at Club 47 he made his first major career notices. Smither would be on the folk festival scene (I'd see him at the Philly Folk Fest) and then "below the radar" for a few years, coming back like the Phoenix to attract new listens and re-engage with old fans.

I liked his CD released in 2012 and was awaiting this one, surprisingly his first album of all original compositions. There are some real goodies here and Smither's guitar playing (and his tapping feet, which are almost a signature sound for him) is - as expected - superb. I guess the title track is my favorite. Even though Smither wrote all the songs, they aren't all new. There is a "hidden bonus track" (#11), which is his 1984 song "Rosalie" in what is described in the notes as An after-hours "B" Room Field Recording". It's just Chris with his guitar and minimal production.

The album includes a 12 page booklet with the lyrics to the 10 songs which form thr core of the album (in easy to read typeface).

Fans of Smither will enjoy seeing that, while - at age 67 - he continues to grow as a songwriter, he still looks back to where he's been.

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Valentine July 22, 2012

By G. Moore

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Chris Smither as any fan would attest is a unique artist. His extraordinary skill with the guitar combined with his fantastic ability to make magic out of simple words and his gravelly voice are an incredible combination. This album is another example of his superb skill which like a good wine only gets better as he gets older. I love it and would encourage anyone to give it a listen.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars new blood needed January 8, 2013

By TELL YA THE TRUTH

Format:Audio CD

As I said elsewhere in a comment-on-a-comment, I don't care for the singer (Anita Suhanin) or the harmonica (Jimmy Fitting) - both have chops and pedigree but are just a distraction here, adding nothing. The harmonica really just sounds cliched. Never thought I'd say this, but I think it's time for Mr. Smither to challenge himself by stepping away from producer Goodrich and his stable of regulars. I'm a long-time fan and think the guy is fabulously talented, but this production isn't doing him any favors- it is just Bland. The best Smither remains his "Live As I'll Ever Be" (acoustic) and "Up On The Lowdown" (studio album). That being said, a sub-par Smither album beats 90% of what's out there today.