Search - Geri Smith :: This Chain

Geri Smith and This Chain have captured me

Ampersand Gallery and Frame | West Hills, CA. USA | 12/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Geri Smith This ChainIf it were not for the purchase of a Bose radio I doubt if I would ever have heard of Geri Smith. The demo disk has a piece called Just A Little Bit by her and it knocked me out. I wanted to see if I could find her album and after a bit of a search it arrived in my PO box. I have played it several times now and it just grows on me. She is a very talented instrumentalist, arranger, vocalist and poet with a style that will remind you of Roberta Flack and if you are old enough, Peggy Lee. Although Peggy was a jazz singer and at least on this album Geri is not showing that side, Geris personal, gentle approach to her songs takes me to Peggy. The lyrics in this collection are all very personal. These are songs about what she thinks about and worries about. She thinks about her Grandmother, having left this life, and she wonders if her Grandmother can see her and hear her song. She worries that she will end having some qualities of her elders, perhaps her parents. Qualities that she does not what to acquire. She tells us,It is up to me to turn it around and not hand it down again, but it is hard to escape the family history. In Ten More To Go she compares modern corporate life to Yossarians paradox in Catch 22. Lots of depth in these lyrics. Her vocal style has folk connections but not a bluegrass thing, just earthy enough to convince you that she is really singing for you. At times the instrumental arrangements have a Irish folk quality. Very pleasant. She has an excellent high alto range, very clear diction and superb phrasing. How nice to be able to hear and understand the words of these excellent poems. The recording sound quality is consistent and very professionally mastered and recorded. Bose thought it was good enough to show off a very expensive radio. One very short piece really shows off her playing ability on acoustic guitar, Ming only 1:24 seconds leaving you wanting much more of this. All the songs have strong melodies. I like that. I love good melodies, tunes that you will remember. Lots of driving rhythms here moving into but not quite becoming rock. The last track, As Long As I Have You, ends this collection and has become my overall favorite. In this song, Geri is a long ways away from the one she wants to be with and now she knows what missing someone really means. If you have ever been in that situation this expresses that emotion beautifully. Anyone who loves well written, well preformed very well recorded, personal music will love Geri Smith and The Chain Go buy it."

Great musicianship

kheckert | Bear, DE United States | 11/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Geri's vocals soar with the quality of Joni Mitchell's younger days. Her songwriting is outstanding with an emotional elevation as you hum her memorable melodies. This is a wonderfully recorded and engineered project by a top musician/writer. She definitely deserves much recognition! Looking forward to her next release."