Pioneering British singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Smith will celebrate a remarkable 20 years in music with his new album, Gatherings, set for release on October 17th via Commoner Records. The album revisits and reimagines songs from Smith’s first three records, celebrating compositions that have evolved over two decades and more than 2,000 live performances.
With over 125 million Spotify streams, Smith has been a stalwart of the folk and roots scene since cutting his teeth opening for the legendary John Martyn. Gatherings honours this journey, featuring an impressive list of collaborators including Lisa Hannigan, The Staves, Siobhan Miller, and Dan Mangan. “These songs carried me everywhere through the years,” Smith reflects. “I took the chance to gather these songs and record them as I hear them now.” The album was produced by Smith and mixed by Grammy-winner Ryan Freeland (Bonnie Raitt, Ray LaMontagne).
The first single, a stunning new version of “Salty and Sweet” featuring Lisa Hannigan, is available now. “One morning in 2010, I woke up with this song in my head, sung in Lisa’s voice. The thing is, I didn’t yet know Lisa,” Smith shared. The new recording captures the intimacy of their musical friendship, presenting the fan favourite “as if we were sharing a mic in a room full of people.”
Following the album’s release, Smith will embark on an extensive 20-date UK tour, commencing on October 21st in Wolverhampton and concluding at London’s Union Chapel on December 18th. Gatherings serves as both a tribute to the fans who have followed his career and a perfect entry point for new listeners.
Pre-Save/Order Gatherings: https://slinky.to/Gatherings
Gatherings track listing:
- Great Lakes (featuring The Staves)
- A Long Way For A Woman
- Freezing Winds Of Change (featuring Siobhan Miller, John McCusker and Mike McGoldrick)
- Something Terrible (featuring Adam Levy)
- Salty And Sweet (featuring Lisa Hannigan)
- To Have So Many (featuring Lisa Hannigan and The Staves)
- Town To Town
- Another Country
- Winter
- Forever To The End (featuring Dan Mangan)
UK tour dates:
21 October Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton
22 October Y Theatre, Leicester
23 October Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton
24 October St Michaels Church Hall, Liverpool
25 October St Michaels Church Hall, Liverpool
26 October Hallé St Peter’s, Manchester
30 October The Adrian Flux Waterfront Studio, Norwich
31 October St Stephens Church, Ipswich
01 November The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham
02 November Bristol Beacon, Bristol
05 November The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington
06 November Exeter Phoenix, Exeter
07 November The David Hall, South Petherton
08 November The Brook, Southampton
12 November City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds
13 November Wylam Brewery Tap, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
14 November The Mackintosh Church, Glasgow
15 November Brewery Arts, Kendal
16 November Acapela Studio, Cardiff
18 December Union Chapel, London
Tickets: John Smith