Search - Darden Smith :: Circo

Sophisticated singer-songwriter folk, jazz, soul and country

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 05/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Just about every review of Smith begins by mentioning how difficult his music is to classify. This one's no exception. Though he was reared in Austin, and his earlier work had a dustier flavor, his later albums are a more sophisticated mix of folk, country, soul and jazz. It's a sophisticated slot, filled with singer-songwriters like Lyle Lovett, Nick Drake, and earlier works by Tom Waits, or in past decades, Joni Mitchell or Cat Stevens. A good sense of Smith's habitat can be found in a guest list that includes Jim Lauderdale, Lloyd Maines, Kim Richey, Suzzy Roche, and Shawn Colvin.Smith's background in country music is evident in pedal steel or harmonica outlines, but the vocals and production lean to more crafted and polished adult contemporary pop, akin to the work of one-time Haircut 100 vocalist Nick Heyward. The arrangements are clever, but never overwhelm the lyrics, with whispery vocals and harmonies, and soulful touches of Wurlitzer and Hammond B3 that create deep atmosphere. Percussive numbers, like "One Hundred Ways," keep their beat at mid-tempo, adding accordion to the more regular piano-drums-guitar. It's an inventive and eclectic mix.Smith writes similarly sophisticated lyrics, contemplating the intertwining of plan and fate, and how detours can unfold into opportunity. There's a strong streak of fatalism, but without the hopelessness that is often its accomplice, Smith retains an optimist's view of chance. The contemplative grooves with which he's orchestrated his intellectual and spiritual wanderings position this equally well for private foreground introspection or background fill."

Like A Leaf on the Wind

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 10/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Darden Smith's "Circo" is an amazing song cycle, a wonderful achievement. Prior to this, "Deep Fantastic Blue" was my favorite of his albums. "Circo" is less obvious, certainly mellower. One sign of a great CD is when different reviewers pick different tracks as their favorites. One professional reviewer picked "Shooting Star" and "Mill Creek" as the best.



For me the spiritually-oriented songs are his greatest achievements. Some music lovers become threatened by spirituality, thinking that someone may try to hit them over the head with their religion. While my deepest religious reflections have been most inspired by the teachings of The Urantia Book, I'm also at home as a Methodist, and certainly find a kindred spirit in Darden Smith's newest release. For me, the greatest of the 3 spirit song tracks is "Rise." Lloyd Maines' pedal steel gives a subtle country touch to Darden's mellow acoustic guitar and the calming confidence of his vocals, "See me as a boy safe beside my father, see my father say when he was a boy, 'Time marches on, the wheel is always turning,' watch me rise, watch me rise above, resting in His love." This is a song whose appeal will span generations. The next of my favorites is the perky "God Loves A River" with its soft-shoe beat and the melody's quiet shuffle that for me emphasizes how, in a spiritual sense, what we try to do is more important than what we actually accomplish, "Fairy tales to rummage sales, we all love a dream, life is so damn messy, love is so unclean, you cannot hold a hand that is a thousand miles away, best to let it go, the reasons we may never know, God loves a river even if that river never hits the sea." "One Hundred Ways" sounds like a pop march with Michael Ramos' accordion adding a sweet musical spice, "It's an endless song that makes a holy sound... My God & your God, they're one & the same, they sit around talking as friends, laugh at the sunset, cry at the moon." Of the love songs, my favorite is "Make Love So Hard" with Kim Richey joining on vocals in a tune about how sometimes two people need to work at their love relationship. The song has as much practical wisdom as its melody is musically delightful. "Shooting Star" is also sweet with Smith's buddy Boo Hewerdine joining on vocals in a softly swaying tune. "Mill Creek" has bit darker melody and is a ballad that brings to mind Tony Joe White, "Sent me running, sent me screaming, like a wild man through the tall grass." All of the tracks on "Circo" are distinctive. Smith is at the top of his game as a songwriter and gives just enough musical support and flourishes to express rather than overpower these fragile melodies. Bravo!"

Highly Recommended!!!

J. Bilby | Kingston, New Hampshire United States | 06/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great set of new Darden Smith songs, but this one has
it all. Yeah, I suppose you could do the dishes with this music(as the big Darden Smith fan writes in a review previously) some Darden Smith fan!
I prefer to drive my car alone with the sound up loud and
let this music go right through me, I can relate to much of
what darden has to say and I like the spiritual side as well,
after what happened 9/11 people just look inward at times,
its nice to see Darden reflecting about life, love, a future? This music just gets under your skin,(you need to listen to
it for awhile, it is more than special and with his voice
driving these numbers along you couldn't ask for anything
more out of an artist with this much class. WOW everything
about this sleeper classic is right on, CIRCO has some
great grooves!! I hope this music finds an audience as it
deserves to be heard."