Once thought to become extinct, the folksy male singer/songwriter from the 60s and 70s is making a strong comeback. Here are a couple…
Johnny Nicholas plays guitars, piano, harmonica and mandocello as he teams up wit ha core of Jud Newcomb/g-voc, John Chipman/dr-perc-voc, Chris Maresh/b-voc and selection of cameo guests. His voice is as well travelled as a hitchhiker on Interstate 10, with the band sounding a bit like the blues rockers Savoy Brown, particularly on the mix of boogie and folk on “She Didn’t Think of Me That Way” and the jumping “Highway 190”. Things bluesy with Nicholas on piano for a harrowing title pieces, and the team is rootsy with him growling through “Mule and the Devil”. Hands with callouses.
Chris Smither comes off like an early Tom Waits with world weary observances. The support is more Spartan here, with minimal backing of guitar, and an occasional rhythm section as on the rumbling blues of “Drive You Home Again” or the striding ivories of “Let It Go”. His feet keep the stomping beat as he rasps out “Confirmation” and the two stepper “Old Man Down” and is wry and reflective like John Prine or Harry Chapin during “Father’s Day” and “Lonely Time”. Troubadour times.