Track Listing

1. Open Up
2. Leave the Light On
3. Shillin' for the Blues
4. Seems So Real
5. Origin of Species
6. Cold Trail Blues
7. Diplomacy
8. Father's Day
9. Visions of Johanna
10. Blues in the Bottle
11. John Hardy
12. John Hardy (Reprise)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8333 in Music
• Released on: 2006-09-19
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
This album's title cut finds the veteran folk-blues troubadour, now in his early 60s, pondering the possibility of living to be 100, thus setting the thematic tone for an uncommonly reflective, meditative set. The ragtime Zen of "Open Up," the philosophical "Seems So Real," and the rock-bottom despair in his cover of Peter Case's "Cold Trail Blues" all suggest that the virtuosic fingerpicker and evocatively smoky vocalist has reached a point in his life where he's pondering the biggest issues of mortality, a perspective that informs the complex relationship in "Father's Day." Not all of the material is that introspective, as the uptempo, electric rock of "Diplomacy" is as sardonic as Randy Newman, while "Origin of the Species" encapsulates Adam and Eve, Charles Darwin, and intelligent design. Smither also pays homage to two seminal influences, transforming Bob Dylan's "Visions of Johanna" into an acoustic, accordion-laced waltz and reviving Lightnin' Hopkins's version of the traditional "Blues in the Bottle." Ollabelle provide harmonies on two cuts, with mandolinist Tim O' Brien also offering instrumental and vocal support. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Like Rich Red Wine
Chris Smither has been turning out a consistently excellent catalog of music. Each new release is a worthy successor to the last. "Leave the Light On" is another excellent collection. The first track, appropriately titled "Open Up," has a country flavor with Tim O'Brien's mandolin percolating with Chris' usual wit, "It comes as no surprise that I can't analyze my usual refusal to open up my eyes." The title track is an acoustic gem that observes the passing of time, "It's like water. It runs right through our fingers, but the flavor of it lingers like a rich red wine." On "Seems So Real" the band Ollabelle joins on background vocals on a sweet shuffle. My favorite track is "Origin of the Species" as Chris takes on Darwin and offers evolution as the divine technique. Peter Case's "Cold Trail Blues" receives a soft embrace from Chris & his distinctive acoustic guitar style. On a CD where Massachusetts native Smither thanks John Kerry, he then rocks out politically, "We got the guns, we got the oilmen too, They're like a choir, they wanna sing for you. Wham! Bam! Slip-slidin' away; The less you got, the more you gonna pay." He ends, "It's the land of the free, blind and leadin' the lame." "Father's Day" is a gentle slow tune for anyone who has loved their dad. Chris' version of Bob Dylan's "Visions of Johanna" shines the familiar melody, "Just Louise & her lover so entwined; & these visions of Johanna that call from my mind." Two traditional tunes, "Blues in the Bottle" & "John Hardy" conclude this strong set. Chris Smither's music is soulful, rootsy, gentle but sometimes violent with witty lyrics that tweak your mind while your foot taps to the beat. Bravo!

Blues, with a sense of humor
I love this CD. It's hard to write a review that doesn't make this sound less than it is, it's that good. Smither's writing has never been better, and his covers-- Cold Trail Blues and Visions of Johanna-- bring a whole new beauty to each piece. My favorite is the title track; it's catchy, tightly written, warm, full of understanding and that touch of humor that distinguishes Smither's work. I'm with him on Origin of Species (like I am on Train Home.) They draw such a gentle line between where we can be sure of ourselves and where we probably shouldn't. And after listening to Smither sing the blues, I always feel like trying again.

At The Top Of His Game, Again! 10 Stars!!
Ever since I heard him talking about this cd on WUMB FolkRadio this past June, I have been anxiously awaiting this gem.You can feel his enthusiasm pour through every song. Even "Cold Trail Blues" the Peter Case tune with all of its darkness and as Chris said.."Man this is Really, Really dark..", has a feeling that he, Chris, has met the challenges of the character of the song and lived to tell the world. Steve Tilston suggested to Chris a while back that "Visions of Johanna" could be done in waltz time, so Chris does it in 6/8 time and brings incredible feeling and a fresh interpretation to Dylan's masterpiece, thus making this work of art his own. "Father's Day" pays tribute to his 94 year old dad.The last lines reveal much.."But I took all you gave or ever wanted to. "Ain't I done good" I needed that from you. All I got to say is, by the way, you done good too." One also has to consider that Chris is now a dad. He and his wife adopted a jewel of a child and now he plays the role of very proud papa. I know that I'm not the only one who has heard "John Hardy" and couldn't figure out what was being said. With Chris' interpretation by slowing down the tempo, one get's a full view of this mini opus.
The "John Hardy Reprise" comes shimmering in and leaves the listener reaching for something to keep off the chill.
Let's all hope that Signature Sounds keeps Chris in their stable of multi multi talented artists.
The Grammy Awards are awaiting you Chris.."you done good too."