Search - Chris Smither :: Live As I'll Ever Be

More alive than ever

Cecil Bothwell | Asheville, NC USA | 01/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Smither is brilliant and easy to sip as 25-year-old bourbon. When he did a guest spot on my radio show I was astonished, but shouldn't have been, that he delivers a live performance as tight as a studio mix. (I had to mic his foot, too, to catch his one-man-band rhythm track.) This CD shows off his bluesy, slide guitar to good effect, but the great music is only a vehicle for the better lyrics, heart and humor. His conversation ranges from current politics to the classics, from poetry to philosophy, and he's as unpretentious a musician as I have ever had the pleasure to meet.



Don't miss his new CD, either. Leave the Light On will let you know that he wasn't live as he'll ever be back in 2000, he just keeps getting better."

Outstanding Live Recording

Gary Peterson | San Diego, California USA | 02/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I go to a series of house concerts put on by Dark-Thirty Productions in Lakeside, California. Most of the artists are excellent but are lesser-known acts that will play to an audience of 50 to 120. One of the acts was Chris Smither and I was told not to miss it. Well, I'd never heard of Smither but it turned out to be an outstanding concert and the house was jam-packed with 120 people.



Smither is an engaging fellow. He's mild mannered, soft spoken. humorous in a droll sort of way and a rather pleasant person. Also, he's a one-man band. He's a really outstanding guitarist who is able to play both rhythm and lead at the same time plus he acts as a drum/bass by tapping on a board with a mic taped to it. Did I mention that he also sings at the same time? You can close your eyes while listening and easily imagine at least a trio on stage. His music is folksy, bluesy, funny at times and can be very sad. Altogether, I find his music somewhat depressing, but in a good way.



I've been to three of Smither's house-concerts now and I'm scheduled to go to a fourth this spring. At the last concert, I purchased the "Live as I'll Ever Be" CD. It's excellent. I've never heard any of Smither's other recordings so I'm unable to compare. But, if you want to know what Chris Smither sounds like in a concert, this disc is truly outstanding.



Gary Peterson"

Smither Live

G. Moore | Burnie, Tasmania Australia | 05/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What can I say but I love this album. I have not had the opportunity to see Chris play live but if I close my eyes I can imagine that he is in my living room playing for my family and I. This is a really good album with a wide selection of tracks that are found on other albums but the live nature of the recordings adds a little something in my mind. Great album.

Gerry"