Chris Smither - Millennium Stage (June 15, 2023)

Live Tonight on Millennium Stage: With music described by the New York Times as “serenely intricate,” Chris Smither is known for his enduring, singular guitar —a beat-driven finger-picking, strongly influenced by the playing of Mississippi John Hurt and Lightnin’ Hopkins, and layered over the ever-present backbeat of his rhythmic, tapping feet (always mic’d in performance).

[bluzrokluvr]

One word, 'absolutely brilliant!'....well, two then....'brilliant' can apply to just ordinary mortals, Chris is on the next level. He was name checked once by the late guitar god Alvin Lee, that was all I needed to seek Chris' poetry and guitar picking out, been hooked ever since.

[robertcronin]

Hard to believe I missed hearing this guy for so long....such great stuff.

[waldbo]

There are simply not enough superlatives to describe the brilliance of this man. The poetry and melodies are pure genius, let alone the playing and even the toe-tapping. Unsurpassed master of acoustic blues, with a nod to the giants of the past like Mississippi John Hurt. The river of that tradition flows on, with Chris Smither at its crest.

[stevetatge]

Absolutely fantastic. I was not familiar with him and this is like stumbling on John Prine or Townes van Zandt

[larryboyes]

Hard to believe this young man is in his eighth decade. Fantastic talent.

[hughclench]

Like many of you only recently discovered Chris through Spotify but then saw him in Chichester in England about a year ago, Brilliant guitarist and lovely man. Been learning to play Leave the Light On - and thrilled to be just about there but can't yet sing at the same time - but I'll get there.

[Albie-kh]

I have been following Chris for about 40 years, seen him live three times in London a lovely man to talk to a brilliant songwriter and musician does not get the recognition he deserves.

[andytrott]

Saw the fella earlier this year in Bristol, U.K. Super! Had the audience spellbound.

[patrickambrose]

Saw him in Galway a few years back, just brilliant!

[knip]

just in case anyone is wondering about the song titles
1. open up
2.make room for me
3. time stands still
4. don't call me stranger
5. down to the sound
6. hundred dollar valentine
7. train home
8. what it might have been
9. get a better one
10. small revelations
11.link of chain
12.no more cane on the brazos/ seems so real
13. leave the light on

[stevedesroches]

My wife and I saw him do this show at an intimate venue outside Chicago June '24. A master of his art. The room was his to command, and he didn't disappoint.

[jayhaworth]

One of the best live shows I’ve ever seen, Canal Street in Dayton, Ohio, Cheryl Wheeler was the other part of the bill. His Happier Blue is on my permanent rotation list.

[gerrycyr]

@waldbo1
2 months ago
There are simply not enough superlatives to describe the brilliance of this man. The poetry and melodies are pure genius, let alone the playing and even the toe-tapping. Unsurpassed master of acoustic blues, with a nod to the giants of the past like Mississippi John Hurt. The river of that tradition flows on, with Chris Smither at its crest.

[pammorton]

Chris is simply the best singer/songwriter in the business. I've met him twice when he came to the Netherlands. I listen to him a

[vootee]

I'm an instant fan! First time ever heard of Chris Smither. Terrific.

[captainkangaroo]

I’ve seen Chris perform several times over the years. It’s always a good show.

[peterdollard]

Dateline Spring 1966 NOLA. I was living in the quarter playing guitar and living fast and loose. I had gone to Tulane with Chris for a couple of years and had a casual musical friendship with him. I heard about this uptown party at Chris and his sister (Kits) house and dragged my D 28 up there( free booze and music right). we got into some sort of guitar pulling but i ended staying at his house overnight and awoke the next morning. We started talking about my record collection and he wanted to hear part of it. We hopped on his motor scooter and went down to the Quarter to get my records. He was driving up town with me when we got stopped by the New Orleans police. Chris had inadvertently left his license back at the house and believe me they took it way too seriously. So Chris is pleading with them to just let him go get the license but they did not want to unless they kept me as a "hostage". So we drove back with me waiting with the police and they let us go after he went in and retrieved his credentials. As i recall Chris sang a good deal of music with a gut string guitar; hard to believe with the fire shooting out of his ax now.

[marygreen]

Received ur performance as a birthday gift...poignant, since I first saw u w/ the sender in Brattleboro, VT, in early 70's!

[OrmondOtvos]

Such insights! We're both graduates of the same school of life.

[udolobert]

Ein begabter Solo Künstler mit angenehmer Stimme!!!❤🎉😊