Of the many times I've heard/saw Chris Smither perform, one night stands out from the others. It was in the late 70's and a thunder storm passed through late one summer afternoon and knocked out the power in the part of town where he was to perform that night. He was booked at a small venue which mostly sold acoustic instruments and vinyl folk music and blues albums. For the ten of us who showed up that night, we were treated to a great performance by a master singer, songwriter and of course blues guitarist. Because the power was out, there was no amp, no mic nor light. He played the entire performance beneath a Coleman lantern. What a memorable performance! I can't wait to see him again.
when I see a songwriter like him play, I feel I am watching an expression of the most advanced organic technology. mastery in craft and storytelling. thanks for sharing.
Take a look inside, I got nothin' left to hide, take me as I am, not what I wanna be. The why we'll never know, we passed that long ago. Is and was is all we're ever gonna be. He's almost shade, down by the river, feels a breath that makes him shiver, takes a breath and makes a dive alone. But the dead don't get no vacation, down in that subway station, the only break they take is to the bone. They waitin' on a train to take 'em home. I don't think I see much of anything for me in visions of the past or the ever-after. Now is what can be, all the rest is wait and see, those prophets never hear that cosmic laughter. And gypsies in their wagons rollin' never hear those death bells tollin', never take no notice of the tone. But I do, and my pulse beats quicker, scornful laughs and knowing snickers, stop my heart and sink it like a stone. And I'm waitin' on a train to take me home. This ain't what it seems, it's not the stuff of dreams, nothing is as clear as this confusion. The somewhat welcome news is there is no way to lose, because what isn't real is genuine illusion. And it's all about that graveyard dancin', some sit still, some still prancin', some get caught between them in a zone where there's nothin' left to give 'em cover, they can't even see each other, they just step and stumble on their own. They waitin' on a train to take 'em home. They waitin' on a train, I'm waitin' on a train, we all waitin' on a train to take us home.
Of the many times I've heard/saw Chris Smither perform, one night stands out from the others. It was in the late 70's and a thunder storm passed through late one summer afternoon and knocked out the power in the part of town where he was to perform that night. He was booked at a small venue which mostly sold acoustic instruments and vinyl folk music and blues albums. For the ten of us who showed up that night, we were treated to a great performance by a master singer, songwriter and of course blues guitarist.
Because the power was out, there was no amp, no mic nor light. He played the entire performance beneath a Coleman lantern. What a memorable performance! I can't wait to see him again.
Now THAT'S a magic night
I think the rain and thunder added a very real element to the song ....
Priceless .
I love this song! This is one of my favorite Chris Smither songs!! I like folk music!
i really enjoy him. got to see him in a little bar in 98 +-. so great to have access. thank you so much
This is what guitar playing and songwriting is all about . . . soooooo pure !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris Smither yeaaaaaaa............!!!!
The rain really provided a dramatic backdrop for his song. It's quite magical to hear him play through this.
when I see a songwriter like him play, I feel I am watching an expression of the most advanced organic technology. mastery in craft and storytelling. thanks for sharing.
What a terrific video in the rain in Holland. Chris, totally undistracted by the downpour, doing what he does so well.
Tønder is in Denmark
Thunder as the percussion section...awesome!
Fantastic!! LOVE the rain!! I just discovered Chris, he reminds me a bit of Bob Dylan. Great performer!
great song by a very kind person,thank you!
Great tune! Great singer/songwriter/guitarist!
Indeed!!! I met chris before,a cool cat!!
Love this guy.
Thank you so much for an exquisite train/rain to take us home
Good onya Chris👌👍 sounds awesome even with the rain
What a great songwriter
Take a look inside,
I got nothin' left to hide,
take me as I am,
not what I wanna be.
The why we'll never know, we passed that long ago.
Is and was is all we're ever gonna be.
He's almost shade, down by the river,
feels a breath that makes him shiver,
takes a breath and makes a dive alone.
But the dead don't get no vacation,
down in that subway station,
the only break they take is to the bone.
They waitin' on a train to take 'em home.
I don't think I see much of anything for me
in visions of the past or the ever-after.
Now is what can be,
all the rest is wait and see,
those prophets never hear that cosmic laughter.
And gypsies in their wagons rollin'
never hear those death bells tollin',
never take no notice of the tone.
But I do, and my pulse beats quicker,
scornful laughs and knowing snickers,
stop my heart and sink it like a stone.
And I'm waitin' on a train to take me home.
This ain't what it seems, it's not the stuff of dreams,
nothing is as clear as this confusion.
The somewhat welcome news
is there is no way to lose,
because what isn't real is genuine illusion.
And it's all about that graveyard dancin',
some sit still, some still prancin',
some get caught between them
in a zone where there's nothin' left to give 'em cover,
they can't even see each other,
they just step and stumble on their own.
They waitin' on a train to take 'em home.
They waitin' on a train,
I'm waitin' on a train,
we all waitin' on a train to take us home.
Even the weather gets the blues...
Queue the thunder...perfect for this song!
Playing up a storm? great performance.
Great song! The storm added a really cool twist, wish the rain wasn't quite as loud. Camera work was a little to fancy for my taste.
"Oh this ain't what it seems it's rain up to my knees, nothing is as deep as this monsoon"
Fantastic
He took "Can't Shake These Blues" and gave it different words. I wonder Why?
Favorite song from Chris.
I've got an album here on TH-cam, if anyone has the time to check it out, it would be much appreciated. :)
hmm, not one look at the guitar solo, hmmm