Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6

Subject: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 10:46 AM

On Saturday June 6th at 8:00pm, the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club Concert Series at the Fair Lawn Community Center will present Chris Smither and special guest Sally Spring.

Honing a synthesis of folk and blues for more than 40 years, Chris Smither is truly an American original. His music draws deeply from blues and American folk music, modern poets and humanist philosophers. A profound songwriter, a blistering guitarist and, as he puts it, a "one-man band to the bone," Chris melds the styles of his two major influences, Lightnin' Hopkin's and Mississippi John Hurt, into his own signature guitar sound.

Smither is recognized by audiences for his "been-there, done-that" voice and the crystalline, wordlessly eloquent sounds of his fingerpicked acoustic guitar. Familiar, too, are the writer/artists whose songs Smither has selected to intermingle with his own. These include Lightnin' Hopkins, whose "Blues in the Bottle"—a striking showcase for Smither's approach to the acoustic guitar—is drawn from Blues in My Bottle, the album that inspired the New Orleans-born, Boston-based artist to begin performing in the 1960s. Chris also performs songs from his contemporaries such as Bob Dylan.

Critically acclaimed, Chris tours solo all over the globe, performing 150+ concerts a year. Perhaps known b est for having written the songs "Love You Like a Man" and "I Feel the Same" (both recorded by Bonnie Raitt), Chris' music has also been covered by John Mayall, Emmylou Harris, and jazz great Diana Krall. Reviewers praise his dazzling guitar work, gravelly voice, and sophisticated songwriting.

Opening the evening will be Sally Spring . A folk-rock marvel since the 70's, Sally has self released records long before the "indie" world was popular. Hailed by Variety as "a captivating performer" and a "show stopper" by Sing Out, Sally Spring weaves into her own tapestry English folk-rock, bluegrass, old time music, country-rock of yore and today's alternative country along with touches of everything from New York rock to classic folk to pop.

The Fair Lawn Community Center is located at 10-10 20th Street in Fair Lawn, NJ. Tickets for this concert are only $30 ($27 for Hurdy Gurdy members) and can be purchased online at www.hurdygurdyfolk.org , or at the box office at the Fair Lawn Community Center on the night of the concert.

Additional information can be received at the website or by calling the Hurdy Gurdy Hotline at [phone].

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: maeve
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 11:15 AM

Chris is an amazing musician with a big heart and a sharp mind. I really miss the days of his Folkway Coffeehouse gigs, and would LOVE to hear his new material. I wish I could drive to New Jersey for his show. I am not familiar with Sally Spring, but would expect her part of the show to be good if she's opening for Chris.

Ron, will you be attending the concert?

maeve

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 11:18 AM

OH! Chris Smither! He Rrrrrrocks!!


Ron, watch this, a film of Chris at Sidmouth International Folk Festival, the very last one ever...sitting on the stage AND on the beach at Jacob's Ladder, surrounded by pretty lassies in bikinis, but he doesn't notice, nope...he carries right on playing, I love this. :0) He also talks of the power of the internet, for musicians. And 'Train Home' is such a great song.

Chris Smither at Sidmouth

Chris's Myspace

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: GUEST,Phil Beer
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 11:25 AM

Being (possibly?) one of the priviledged few to ever hear the late Peter Bellamy singing and playing the blues after a folk club gig back at someones house, I was not surprised several years later to hear that he was championing the cause of one Chris Smither. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Peter was the one responsible for bringing chris to the UK and getting him gigs. Our paths cross about every five years and he remains one of my favourite blues singers and songwriters. His voice and guitar playing are eloquent and articulate and just plain brilliant. Have a great night. Wish I was coming.

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 12:42 PM

Not my opinion, but a great song: Origin of the Species (Chris Smither on YouTube)

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 01:33 PM

I will be attending - I am also the president of the Hurdy Gurdy!

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: maeve
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 01:40 PM

Lucky you, Ron.

maeve

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 01:41 PM

That's a good song, Jeri.

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: evansakes
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 05:21 PM

We'll be seeing Chris Smither play at Shrewsbury FF in a couple of months....I'm secretly hoping he'll appear as a special guest in the middle of the 'Darwin' concert to sing 'Origin of the Species'. Hopefully the organisers will schedule things to make this a possibility!

Incidentally the only player who I reckon does this sort of thing as well as Chris was playing for us at Twick a couple of nights ago (Ray Bonneville).

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: GLoux
Date: 03 Jun 09 - 01:25 PM

Chris will be performing in Bryn Mawr, PA on June 13. I hope to catch him there.

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: GUEST,Deb in Mayood
Date: 03 Jun 09 - 01:50 PM

Ahh how many times I saw him at the Main Point in Bryn Mawr way back when...would love to make it to the Fair Lawn show but am afraid I will be out of town..I was surprised to see he was going to be right in my back yard!

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 03 Jun 09 - 09:06 PM

Hope you can make another show Deb. We will be announcing our 2009-2010 schedule very soon, and I'm really excited about who we have coming next season!   We are on a roll!! :)

Subject: RE: Chris Smither in Fair Lawn - June 6
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 04 Jun 09 - 11:27 PM

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