Chris Smither : It Ain't Easy

Full title is: It Ain't Easy

Length: 39:22

The All Music Guide rating for this album on a 1-9 scale (9=best) is: 7

The All Music Guide rating for this album among this artist's works on a 1-9 scale (9=best) is: 7

  Chris Smither - Main Performer

Following two releases for Poppy Records in the early '70s, as well as a third recording that never saw the light of day, Chris Smither finally returned in 1984 with It Ain't Easy . Armed simply with guitar and voice, Smither delivers a dozen tunes (14 on the CD reissue) that embody the best tradition of blues and folk. Whether it's his originals, a standard like 'Glory of Love,' or material by the likes of Randy Newman , Chuck Berry , Mississippi John Hurt , and Howlin' Wolf , Smither infuses every track with the same timeless quality. Though he may, on occasion, choose rather standard folk, blues, and rock & roll fare ( 'Green Rocky Road,' 'Sittin' on Top of the World,' 'Maybelline' ) Smither never treats the songs as if they were museum pieces. In his hands, they're given a life and vitality they probably haven't seen in years. His masterful guitar work and dark, resonant baritone are ideally suited to the songs on It Ain't Easy . Like Mississippi John Hurt or Reverend Gary Davis , his playing is that perfect combination of simplicity and sophistication, discovering and filling harmonic voids without ever overstating or wasting a single note. There's not a false moment on the entire record. Highly recommended. ~ Brett Hartenbach, All Music Guide