Up on the Lowdown

Chris Smither

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 1995)
• Original Release Date: March 28, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hightone Records
• ASIN: B0000005R2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,172 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chris's best studio album!, April 30, 2000

By	R. Hutchinson "autonomeus" (a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It has some strong competition, but UP ON THE LOWDOWN is the best of Chris Smither's many fine albums. (In fact, only one of his 1990s releases is subpar -- HAPPIER BLUE, which is overproduced with synthesizers. On the upside it has two great covers -- John Hiatt's "Memphis In the Meantime" and Lowell George's "Rock and Roll Doctor.")

I saw Chris live last fall (2000 -- at USU in Logan, Utah), and it was a great show -- he is a great guitarist, and he is really funny in between songs. I've laughed at some of his songs since the concert after hearing the spin he put on them. His one-man two-foot rhythm section (with a board!) is priceless. But he's not just funny, he has a serious message as well. The lyrics to songs like "I Am the Ride" are Buddhist gems. If you take them to heart they can change your life. "Can't Shake These Blues" is just awesome. Check out not only the Dylan cover here ("What Was It You Wanted," from OH MERCY), but the back cover of HAPPIER BLUE, with Chris sitting on a porch with big sneakers, just like Bob on the back of UNDER THE RED SKY. He's just cracking up.

If you appreciate great lyrics, idiosyncratic vocal styles, and a social conscience -- the genre founded by Bob in the 60s -- check out my DYLANITES OF RECENT TIMES list and several more reviews. Some of the others included are Greg Brown, Stan Ridgway, Peter Case, Steve Earle, Bill Morrissey, Butch Hancock, Dave Alvin, and T-Bone Burnette.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep Blues, August 1, 2001

By	M. I. R. Clarke "ian clarke" (northern ireland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Smither is one of the most eloquent and intelligent performers on the solo circuit. With only guitar, voice and foot tapping rhythm section he squeezes more emotion and wisdom and world weary irony out of a song than anyone I know. He is a great interpreter but his originals are the best tracks here - Link of Chain, 'Deed I Do, Can't Shake these Blues and the fantastic The Ride. No other contemporary songwriter pens a better, cleverer lyric and very few engage the listener so well. Best seen live but this CD and "Small Revelations" are priceless souvenirs.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smither - the wittiest bluesman around !, August 23, 1999

By A Customer

Heard Chris Smither live at Downpatrick Folk Club - one of the best live concerts i've ever been to. The man is a genius with lyrics, subtle, sophisticated, clever, funny, honest, and a world weary voice that is perfect for the material. Brilliant guitar picking style. This album is full of classics - the original "Link of Chain", "Deed I Do", "Can't Shake These Blues" and utterly fantastic "I Am The Ride" plus lovely cover of Dylan's "What Was It You Wanted". He creates a wonderful mood (any time of the day). Accept no substitutes!