“”What I Do” is quintessential Smither: His prowess as a lyricist, singer, and guitarist continues to grow. His unmistakable voice lends the tune a gravity that is deeply honest and emotionally satisfying. Smither spoke with PopMatters from his home in Massachusetts about the new collection and another project he has on the horizon…”
Read the full PopMatters article + watch the video premiere.
Album #18 from Chris Smither, MORE FROM THE LEVEE continues on from the 50-year career retrospective Still On The Levee (2014). Two weeks at The Music Shed in 2013 recording Chris’ celebrated 50-year career retrospective Still On the Levee with longtime right-hand-man and producer David Goodrich at the helm the sessions resulted in an over-abundance of songs in the can. More From The Levee contains ten of these extra gems including fan favorites Drive You Home Again, Caveman, and a brand-new Smither original titled What I Do. With members of Morphine, The Motivators and the late Allen Toussaint making it a truly special recording, More from the Levee is a snapshot of some powerful music-making.
“Sometimes songs comes back to you after some time. For Chris Smither, “Lonely Time” resurfaced nearly 50 years after he initially wrote it. The bluesy, lovelorn tale, which Smither originally recorded on his 1970 debut, I’m a Stranger Too! is just one piece of his upcoming, 18th album More From the Levee (Sept. 26), which features 24 tracks—10 of which Smither initially cut from the Still On the Levee sessions nearly 20 years ago…”
Read the full American Songwriter magazine article.
Been missing Chris? He’s been missing you too. Since it’s going to be a while before he is on the road again, we’re happy to announce a new opportunity to hang with Chris. Thanks to the good folks at Topeka Live you can enjoy time with Chris virtually.
Through the site, you can have a mini-concert, a guitar/songwriting session, or be serenaded with a couple of songs.
And, even better, partial proceeds will benefit Circles Morningside, a nonprofit that empowers men and women in Atlanta looking to lift themselves from poverty. Visit the Topeka Live website to sign up.
For a limited time, Chris’s live performance DVD, One More Night, is on sale for just $5. Order now, limited quantities.
“I recorded this Danny O’Keefe song, So Long, Harry Truman, several years ago. I thought it a good time to revisit it.” – Chris
The Smither album Still On the Levee is in fine company with Thelonious Monk, Pharoah Sanders, Bach and others on Pitchfork’s Recommendations for Music to Ease Self-Isolation.
Prine’s gone. These are sad times all over, I know, but this one really hurts. He was not just an icon in the general sense of representing the particular genre, he was a shining example of what one could be and do. He opened many, many doors for me, bringing me on board for shows from Chicago to LA to Nashville and points in between, and when I thanked him for those opportunities, simply replied, “Chris, I don’t do it for you, I do it for me.” Never have I felt more warmly included than I did then, seldom have I felt more bereft than I do now. John Prine, R.I.P.