Search - Darden Smith :: Deep Fantastic Blue

A must-have CD

The Headhunter | Lebanon, NJ United States | 02/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Darden Smith has backed up lots of "name" musicians, but he has gotten almost no exposure. Too bad. There are few literate songwriters who can play, sing, stay true to their muse and still produce songs with melodies that stick with you without becoming irritating. This album is one of my top 10 -- every tune is perfectly crafted, the arrangements are right, the production is spare, but the sound is rich.I saw him play at a very small venue outside Philadelphia a few years ago -- there were about 20 people in the audience. He stepped down off the stage, sat on a stool, and took requests. You've heard the concert analogy, "It was like being in his livingroom". Well, this is the closest I've ever come to that kind of experience.I wish some record company would recognize what this guy can do and get another record out. This one's a winner. Don't miss it."

Another record hits home!

The Headhunter | 02/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Darden Smith is clearly one of the more gifted singer/songwriters out there today. His ability to turn a phrase and make your heart break is beautifully complemented by melodies that leaving you humming for hours on end. The only way it gets better than this is to see him in person!"

Great songs

A. Butterfield | UK | 05/07/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Darden's previous album - "Little Victories" - is so close to perfection that its follow up inevitably had much to live up to.
They are quite different albums in texture. the former closer to pop (smooth and cultured), the latter harder edged, less polished.
If there's a problem with DFB, I don't think it's the songs. You only have to hear Darden perform the songs on stage to realise that, or check out the new versions on "Extra, Extra" which I think are so much better. Comparing them, the DFB versions sound a little "thin" and underdeveloped, while the new versions have real depth - both musically and vocally. The difference is marked.
So it's the production at fault, I guess. Indeed, there are one or two songs that would benefit from a revamp, like the raucous "Different Train", or "Skin" which would benefit from a more seductive vocal delivery. I'd love to hear both of those done again, since Darden has more recently developed his softer, more inviting style.
On the other hand, one can't ignore standout tracks, and in particular, "Drowning Man" which is really quite special. It's also the only time Darden slows things down on the album, and it makes you realise that there's a lack of light and shade in general. But "Drowning Man" is a terrific song that deals, I guess, with one of Darden's recurring spiritual themes in a very moving way. "First Day of the Sun" is another superb song (again, done much better on "Extra, Extra") with a memorable lyric and a great transition into the chorus. Classic Darden Smith.
On the whole, it's an album I wouldn't be without, but I do listen to it slightly frustrated that the whole package doesn't quite live up to the underlying quality of the songs."