Chris Smither

The bluesmen of the Delta and the Appalachian mountaineers made timeless art with just voice, guitar, and a stomping foot. And that is the root of New Orleans native Chris Smither’s style, an insistent, understated groove featuring his trademark deft fingerpicking. The uninitiated, listening to Smither play live, might think two or even three musicians are pounding away. But it’s just one man – guitar in hand, foot stomping, voice sure and steady. A master of delicate, intricate finger-picked melodies, Smither is perhaps the most talented contemporary American artist to wed the muscular Mississippi Delta with the smokey Appalachians. For going on five decades, guitar-heads have been drawn to his blues-derived fretwork. The more poetic among us admire the “edge” of his seemingly casually tossed-off lyrics. Smither’s 18th critically acclaimed disc is “More From The Levee.” Reconnecting with his roots, Smither recorded the career-spanning double album in New Orleans at the fabled Music Shed. What resulted were 24 fresh reimagined takes from Smithers vast career with help from the legendary Allen Toussaint and Loudon Wainwright III. With his fingers as supple as his voice, Smither effortlessly delivers the backporch feel of intricate acoustic blues picking accompanied by his own boot heel on wood rhythms.

Doors @ 6:30, show at 7:30, no opener & no intermission. $35 advance, $40 door.

Vaccination card (must be fully vaccinated) & ID required. Audience is required to properly wear masks covering nose & mouth. If you are unable to comply, please do not buy a ticket. Capacity has been lowered to accommodate social distancing.