Search - Chris Smither :: Up on the Lowdown

Tina N. from ACTON, MA
Reviewed on 9/10/2006...

Great low voice singing good folk tunes

Chris's best studio album!

R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 05/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Deep Blues

M. I. R. Clarke | northern ireland | 08/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."