Chris Smither
Chris Smither, 'one of the absolute best singer/songwriters in the world,' performing at ArtYard Frenchtown
ArtYard and the Frenchtown Bookshop are excited to announce that Chris Smither, whose worldly wise, and poetic songs and “serenely intricate fingerpicking style” (NY Times) have transfixed audiences since the 1960’s, will be performing 8 PM on Saturday, Nov. 4 at ArtYard’s McDonnell Theater.
Chris Smither takes the stage with only his well-worn Martin guitar, his husky, weathered voice, and a stomping foot. Immediately, his audience is transfixed and transported. His songbook, heard on almost 20 albums, “is overflowing with rollicking, clever, blues-based folk tunes,” making him “a consistently engaging live performer” (Washington Post) who can “convert almost any audience he sits down in front of” (Montreal Gazette).
Smither’s song “Love Me Like A Man” has been a set-list staple for 13-time-Grammy-winner Bonnie Raitt, who calls Smither “my Eric Clapton.” Raitt, along with a who’s who of stellar musicians including Jorma Kaukonen, Josh Ritter, Loudon Wainwright III, Mary Gauthier, and Tim O’Brien, celebrated Smither’s 50th year of performing by interpreting his songs on the 2014 album “Link of Chain: A Songwriters’ Tribute to Chris Smither.” The legendary New Orleans pianist and songwriter Allen Toussant and many other stars joined Smither’s own 50th-anniversary double-disc, “Still on the Levee.” His songs are also celebrated in the book “Chris Smither Lyrics 1966-2012.”
NPR described a Chris Smither show: “He taps his foot to keep the rhythm. His finger-picked guitar lines are sleek, unhurried, and insistent. And then there’s the voice — equal parts gravel and molasses.”
ArtYard is proud to present this legendary songwriter.
Tickets are $30 and doors open a half hour before the show. Review McDonnell Theater policies on our FAQ page.
