Search - Michael Smith :: There

"there" is where...

peter smith | st. petersburg, fl | 01/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"michael smith is mostly known as a folk musician, with songs like "the dutchman," "spoon river," and "we become birds when we die."
this is michael's beatle record, it fits right in between "rubber soul" and "revolver," with only the warm, craggy sound of his voice establishing that it is mike. the songs are rockers, with help from some of chicago's best musicians, including his "grapes of wrath" band" and "michael, margaret, pat and kate" group. from the opener, "alexandria," we are aware that like randy newman, jim webb and that dylan fellow," michael has a world to show you, not familiar, but compelling.
the brilliant "kill the buddah" makes clear the meaning of the zen koan. he is not the point, you are. the title song is a friendly love song, also recorded by michael and james lee stanley on their "2manband2" album, also highly recommended. michael has made his best album at 62. good god, can that be? i promise.
love,
peter (michael's brother, getting over 5 heart bypasses. get you heart checked.)"