Michael Smith concert...

Subject: Michael Smith concert...
From: Mudlark
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 01:59 AM

I am in heaven. Just got back from a Michael Smith concert...first time I've actually seen him in person. No wonder he looks so much like Picasso...his wit and artistry are as surreal as Picasso's paintings. What a voice! Great guitar playing....terrific evening. Everything he did was good ... there was a weird, eerie vampire song that was riveting....he did The Dutchman--and made it sound like the first time. And they were all too short...I wanted them to go on and on...

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http://www.michaelsmithmusic.com

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: BlueJay
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 03:24 AM

Mudlark- I am envious, as I've never caught Michael Smith live yet. My main exposure to him has been through Steve Goodman. Judging from your description, (and his obvious song-writing talents), it is no wonder that Steve Goodman held him in high regard. Did he do "The Wonderful World of Sex"?

Delighted by your report, BlueJay

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Mudlark
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 11:57 AM

Hi BlueJay...

No, he didn't do that one...unfortunately! But he did do Old Egyptian Blues and an incredibly nifty and very fast song called, I think, Life Gets Zippy When You Give Up Weed. His own rendition of The Dutchman is even better than Goodman's (even better than Small Potatoes, and that's saying something!) in my opinion as it suits his vastly flexible voice to a T.

Thanks for responding and letting me burble on a bit longer!

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 12:00 PM

I concur Mudlark. He ain't for everyone, and the audience for him was very small in Toronto for each of his many visits, but he's bloody hypnotic.

So far away from Steve Goodman's versions of his songs that there's literally no comparison. Completely different harmonic approach.

Catch him if ya can folks...he's great.

Rick

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 12:05 PM

Just ran downstairs and grabbed his album "Time"....it's beautiful. Maybe Dick greenhaus carries it.

Rick

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Mudlark
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 12:16 PM

Hi Rick...

That was the one I chose from the several available at the concert....also couldn't resist one he made with Anne Hill (who produced Time, I think), as I like her voice and approach as well (there went the grocery money!). Much as I liked that one, I think I prefer Michael Smith undiluted.

The venue he played is great for intimate listening...a winery who's owners are into home-grown music and have provided a room with good acoustics and seating for no more than 100 people. Last month Pat Donahue played to a packed house there, No quite so many for Smith, but a VERY knowledgeable and appreciative audience. He was clearly pleased, and played several encores...a memorable evening. Boy, nothing beats live music....

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 02:49 PM

I see he is playing in my local on May 9th. Michael Smith Homepage"

Unfortunately I will be in Scotland then. Damn. Sounds like my kind of performer.

Murray

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Mudlark
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 03:31 PM

Dear Murray....If you're going to have to miss MS, Scotland is as good a reason as I can think of. Jealous ain't in it!

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 03:47 PM

I can see Scotland anytime, Mudlark, seeing a really good artist perform takes priority any time :-)

I have already postponed my trip so's I can see Janis Ian ....

Murray

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Mudlark
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 05:31 PM

Murray...you are a true afficianado! I understand. If I were an artist having a fan put off a trip to Scotland just to hear me would be the highest accolade.

I went to high school with Janis Ian, tho I didn't really know her...she was in a class or 2 behind me.

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 05:45 PM

Michael is amazing. His "Ballad Of Elizabeth Dark" is about a coffeehouse I played at for many decades----in Chicago. Her name wasn't Elizabeth but she and I lived up those stairs for a year or so (off and on) in the early '60s. And when she left it was devastating----but what memories !!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: bflat
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 10:38 PM

Rick is right. Catch him if you can. I've seen him twice in New Jersey. I saw him at a cabin concert; sitting a few feet away from his performance; watching his skillful guitar playing and at the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club in Paramus this January unfortunately in the last row. But, his songs are so well crafted that it doesn't matter where in the room you are, you will appreciate a man who writes a beautiful lyric and melody.

Ellen

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: John Hardly
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 09:54 PM

mudlark
I'm happy for you! What a talent that guy is. He's made and appearance or two at a music store nearby and even given writing workshops.

...now you keep in shape with Elmer's glue...

....Jack Horner's not the kinda guy
To leave his thumb jammed in the pie
When he could eat it...

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Mudlark
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 10:45 PM

Art...Thanks so much for adding this info about a beautiful song. It really resonated with me...despite having hung out in long black stockings and shades in Venice for a good bit of my misspent youth I still don't know what exsistential means either, or dialectic, for that matter. But they were great times...

John...writer's workshops...ohhh, don't I wish. He certainly has a way with a lyric. I like a man with a mordant wit!

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 11:06 PM

One of the things that makes him unique is his use of Chord voicings. Sixths and ninths on the bottom end of chords.

Art, was just listening to "Elizabeth...." ten minutes ago. Takes on a whole new meaning. Lady Susquehanna...what a song....and the way he does "Vampire"! Makes ya REALLY believe....scary. Very few singers could pull that off. The guy who introduced me to Michael was Norm Hacking, who interprets Mike's songs eerily well.

Rick

Subject: RE: Michael Smith concert...
From: Mudlark
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 01:17 AM

Rick...Only wish I knew enough about music to understand your reference to chord voicings. But my ear certainly picked up on his unique playing, and how perfectly it fits his melodies, voice and lyrics, I loved the Vampire song...it was one of those that I wished would just go on and on. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, hearing it in that darkened room...and I am not an Anne Rice/Vampire genre fan..."who could blame them if they choose..." The range of material he covers--from his own brilliantly skewed vantage point, is uncanny.