From his latest album, ‘The Fray’ (reviewed here), John Smith shares the official video for Deserving. While there is some darkness in the song, as John says, “…the light finds its way in towards the end…like it always does.”
Mike Davies stated in his album review that the sound of this track, in particular, is reminiscent of the late John Martyn. It’s a comparison that’s often made, although, as John shows here, he is equally inventive when it comes to bending those strings. The opening lick is beautiful to hear and watch. Even John admits to that opening being his favourite on the record, and “maybe from any album I’ve made.” That says something. For the guitar players out there, the tuning is DADGAD.
Mike Davies declared the album a “shoo-in for the best of the year lists”, adding that “Smith says these are the most honest songs he’s ever written, about accepting that life can be tough, but trying to enjoy it anyway. If we don’t hold on, we’re lost, he says. This has a grip of iron.”
John is on tour now; see dates below, including Kings Place in London, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Stereo in Glasgow.
John Smith Tour Dates
SEP 1 WED – Silk Mill Studios, Frome,
SEP 5 SUN – The Garden Gatherings 2021, Southend-on-sea,
SEP 14 TUE – The Globe, Cardiff,
SEP 15 WED – St George’s, Bristol,
SEP 16 THU – The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham,
SEP 17 FRI – Kings Place, London,
SEP 18 SAT – Brighton Unitarian Church,Brighton,
SEP 21 TUE – Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester,
SEP 22 WED – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham,
SEP 23 THU – The Y Theatre, Leicester,
SEP 24 FRI – South Street Arts Centre, Reading,
SEP 25 SAT – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool,
SEP 27 MON – Stereo, Glasgow,
SEP 28 TUE – Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle Upon Tyne,
SEP 29 WED – The National Centre for Early Music, Percy’s Lane,
SEP 30 THU – The Stoller Hall, Manchester,
Tickets and more details: https://www.johnsmithjohnsmith.com/shows