Scott Smith

http://taawd.blogspot.com/2007/02/new-music.html - Todd's Thoughts

I've got to say this is one of my favorite albums at the moment. It has a huge mix of styles, all of which work with the guitar so well. From a Blusey Jazzy 'Comin Round' to the subline 'The Flight'. So can we have more of the same on the next album please Mr. Smith. In short, just go and buy this CD! - Mike Faulkner

Scott Smith left Charleston, South Carolina because of a personal reason and moved to the Cleveland area. That same reason made Scott leave a few months ago after spending 3 years as a resident in the area. During the time he was here, Scott played at several of the area's smaller venues where he would perfect songs he was writing. Just recently, Scott came back to Cleveland to do a CD release party for his new album, QUICKSAND REMEDIES. Quicksand Remedies was recorded by Scott while he was in transition between leaving Cleveland and relocating back to Charleston. The alum was produced by another local musician, Joe Rohan. It features some of Cleveland's best musicians backing Scott up. Quicksand Remedies provides the listener with just a snapshot of what Scott's sound is like. On tracks like Parking Lot and Lively, Scott lets out his reggae side and shows you what he was known for down in Charleston before he started writing his own music. Other songs like Comin Round and G Funk show Scott's funky side. Most of the songs on Quicksand Remedies are fleshed-out versions of stuff that scott has been playing solo for years in the Cleveland area. However, there are songs like Quicksand and Pocket that show off Scott by allowing the listener to hear what those of us who followed Scott here in Cleveland have known for years: He is just as talented and entertaining when he is alone with just his guitar. One of the best examples of what Scott sounds like live is displayed on his song, The Flight. The Flight is a Michael Hedges-inspired song that features Scott performing on his guitar: no band, no singing, just the guitar. While playing this song live, Scott would turn up the reverb on his sound board and let the reverb create a layering effect. Scott recreated this ound in the studio. The results remind me of seeing Scott in concert. One of the most interesting, and commercial radio-friendly songs on Quicksand Remedies is Scott's song, Amazed: think Santana w/Rob Thomas-meets-Marc Cohn. The song starts with the listener joining in on a Santana-style jam that becomes a piano-driven ballad. Changing paces several times during the 4-plus minutes, the song fades out way too fast. Scott Smith has created an album that you must hear. From rock to reggae; from funk to jazz and everything in between. Although Scott no longer calls Cleveland home, that is no reason why you can't pick up a copy of Quicksand Remedies and experience this talented musician for yourself. For more information, go to www.musicbyscottsmith.com. Also check out his myspace account @ www.myspace.com/scottsmithmusic. - Matheson Kamin

Charleston native vocalist/guitarist Scott Smith has been making a name for himself in the Florence area because of his frequent appearances at local music venues such as Apple Annie's and The Roundhouse.

His local fan base has grown so much that Smith has been the featured performer at Apple Annie's each Wednesday since December. He is scheduled to perform there every Wednesday through the end of February. He'll be asking for a bedroom to sleep in at the venue if he keeps up this pace.

Smith cites many artists as influences, and he manages to weave them all into his own musical palette. The list includes The Beatles, Van Morrison, Run-DMC, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, James Brown, David Bowie, Victor Wooten, Trey Anastasio, Bob Marley, Beck, Dave Matthews Band, Jurassic 5, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane.

Smith's debut solo CD, "Quicksand Remedies" gets off to a funky start with a song titled "Parking Lot." A subdued, reggae-influenced electric guitar riff is the song's anchor, which creates what 311 would sound like if they were to perform on MTV's Unplugged series. A high hat an popping snare drum keep the song moving forward. Vocally, Smith is reminiscent of the late Sublime vocalist Bradley Nowell with the way he lets the lyrics float out of his mouth instead of forcing them out.

A funky saxophone, provided by Rob Williams, gets "Comin' Round" off to a toe-tapping start. And the way the saxophone follows Smith's vocals by sliding into the chorus sounds like something the Dave Matthews Band did in their earlier days, such as on the "Under the Table and Dreaming" CD. Matthews' music was a bit sexy then and not as jam rock-oriented as it is today.

"Quicksand" is a jazzy, slow-burning tune with stop-start acoustic guitar playing. The guitar solo has a bit of a flamenco feel to it as it alternates from a quick-picking style to a slow string-popping technique. Just when you think you know where the song is going, Smith throws the change-up pitch. Smith's vocals are smoothed out and mellow, which is an nice counter-point to the guitar sound.

"Lively" is sure to be a crowd pleaser because its funky bass line is sure to get people dancing, or as Smith says in the lyrics, "Shake what yo momma gave you." It's a song that people can sing along to easily. The lyrics are kept simple so it's not hard to be a newcomer to one of Smith's shows and still be able to pick up the chorus to this song and have a good time singing with the crowd. It's a self-explanatory, feel-good tune. It's good to see those types of songs coming back into fashion.

Other standout tracks on the CD include the instrumental tune titled "The Flight" and the slithery "Amazed." The former is an acoustic guitar clinic Smith puts on that details his capturing incredibly rich tones. The guitar sounds are warm and inviting, and the fretboard work is fairly inventive, too. "Amazed" is a hip hop-influenced track that gains depth with a low piano sound. The song begins with a turntable scratch and reggae percussion but the chorus expands and washes over the listener like a big wave gently pulling you into the ocean. The piano adds a somber tone that does wonders for the song.

The only places the CD comes up short for me are on songs such as "Fat Crash" and "Wrecking Machine," songs on which Smith uses a talky, rap vocal style. This vocal technique is how Smith probably sets himself apart from other musicians in the Charleston and Florence areas. A folk-ish hipping rapping, however, doesn't always sound cool. Smith tends to sound like G Love and Special Sauce and Jason Mraz when he adapts the rap vocal. Maybe that's the sound he's going for, but I think Smith comes off stronger when he uses a soulful, more bluesy vocal style.

Catch Smith at Apple Annie's and come to your own conclusion.


jbailey@florencenews.com - Justin Bailey - 8 Days a Week/Florence Morning News

http://clevescene.com/2007-02-21/music/scott-smith/ - Scene Music