November 2000

Chris Smither
Live as I'll Ever Be
High Tone

By Bill Milkowski

Acoustic guitar virtuoso Chris Smither dabbles in Delta blues and sprightly Celtic-flavored fingerstyle playing on Live as I'll Ever Be (Hightone 62:10). A collection of 14 songs recorded in concert at venues around the U.S. and Ireland, it features Smith's smoky voice and mesmerizing guitar work, accompanied by only the percussive sound of his tapping feet. Includes a brilliant fingerstyle version of Robert Johnson's "Dust My Broom" and an informative rap on New Orleans merlitons.