An album of power from a songwriter who cares (June 18, 2008)
It’s
my belief you can trace a man’s journey through the lines round his
eyes. With
Bob Smith you can trace his life’s journey through his voice and music.
His
album ‘This is the Story’ certainly tells a story or two. Whether
they’re Bob’s
personal stories or a selection of observations on life matters not, he
clearly cares a lot about life and about his lyrics. You will
have to go a long way to find more powerful, moving, self-penned songs.
This
may not be folk or country or blues but it’s a combination of styles
that
create a unique edge.
 There
are some cracking songs on the album. ‘The Sea of Wishful Thinking’
instantly sets your expectations for Bob’s incisive, sometimes biting lyrics.
Just listen to: “Alone and lost you’ll pay the cost, on a worn out ship that’s
sinking into the deep dark sea of wishful thinking.” Powerful stuff indeed! ‘Soldiers
Tale’ keeps up the pressure. There are thousands of songs about the futility of
war and the stupidity of ignorant generals leading brave men, but this one is
right up there with the best, make no mistake. With lines like: “We were lions
led by donkeys and that was truth never better said.” That hits you hard but it
hits it just right. Bob takes a nautical direction with ‘Ship O’ the Line’
mixing country rhythms with shanty style as he almost talks rather than sings the
lyrics. This one must have everyone on their feet when he plays live. ‘Ballad
of the Old Guitar’ sounds like Bob paying homage to Johnny Cash – whatever,
it’s a story of desperation, luck and the every-day bloke coming out on top. The
album’s title tack, ‘This is the Story’ is an anthem to all working men.
There’s terrible sadness but great strength in this song. It’s almost a requiem
for the past but a hope for the future too.
Bob’s
voice has grit and gravel that precisely fits his lyrics. It puts passion and
power into his ‘man and guitar’ songs. On ‘This is the Story’ he mixes tracks
that make you smile with those to make you think, but each one tells a story
worth hearing. He also surrounds himself with fine musicians that complement
his style - accomplished multi-instrumentalist Lyndon Webb who plays guitar,
mandolin, violin and keyboards, Charlie Kyte on bass, Pete White on drums and
percussion, plus Sally Ann Evans backing vocals.
This
album fuses styles and influences with one man’s view of the world and it’s a
great combination.
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