Deixa-me rir...

Caros Audiophiles, this week I wish to introduce two new artists with old souls. Both of them have quietly pursued music careers for a few years, honing their craft, but their moment to shine in the spotlight seems finally to have arrived.

John Smith has the most common name in England but a most uncommon talent. I first encountered him as part of the wonderful Lisa Hannigan's band, but last month I saw him perform, with his brilliant double bassist Jon Thorne, to promote his solo cd "Great Lakes".

He has a soft gravel voice reminiscent of John Martyn and Ray Lamontagne, and his skilful guitar playing is percussive and melodic.

My favourite song is "Salty and Sweet", a quirky story about a bored girl from a quiet seaside village who dreams of a bigger life and who one day meets a merman (a male mermaid) with 'ancient eyes' and 'skin as soft as silk and baby milk' who appears from the sea to tempt her away.

This version, in my opinion better than the new cd version, was recorded last year in a church during a short American tour accompanying Lisa Hannigan and musician/producer Joe Henry. They decided to create a travelling tour blog and to record versions of songs inspired by each city they visited. Here, Lisa and Joe generously and admiringly introduce John:

"We have as our traveling companion and musical confederate the great guitarist, singer and songwriter from England, John Smith. As a guitarist, John is expansive and orchestral, while managing always to be intimate. As a songwriter, he is simultaneously deep, introspective and unfailingly conversational. His offerings on the stage allow Lisa’s and Joe’s songs a nuanced and three-dimensional quality, as if a song’s character, walking the road of a story, were passing beneath the sway and shadow of low hanging trees that reveal the landscape itself to be both alive and emotionally involved. No small feat.

For this installment of our Field Recordings blog, Joe and Lisa urged John to roll out his own gem, “Salty and Sweet.” Given that we are in the nation’s capitol Washington DC — and given the dark strange business that transpires there — the title itself seems to speak quiet volumes…".  Recorded over coffee and in the pews [seats] of the Synagogue at 6th Avenue and Ist, June 17, 2012:

Josephine Oniyama, known simply as Josephine, comes from Manchester via Liberian-Jamaican blood. Already 29 years old, she has just released her first cd "Portrait". Full of catchy and commercial songs, she has a soulful voice and delivery reminding me a little of Joan Armatrading. I am looking forward to her London concert next week.

Here are the title song "Portrait" and, perhaps my favourite track, the dramatic "The Last Minute":

Hope you enjoy.

 

A proxima.

 

PO