"Were I to discover another man's music flowing through my body and out my hands, and that music to be his, I would consider myself both lucky and blessed." This comment by Kelly Joe Phelps on John Smith's website has more than a hint of irony, no doubt unintended, because Phelps often sounds as if he is coming out of John Smith's whispered earthy voice. He's not the only one. The late John Martyn has also left his mark on this impressive Devon- born singer-songwriter. Great Lakes , Smith's third album, has a weathered and warm feel to it. Anchored by his skillful guitar picking, the 11 folky songs trawl through his life and loves – "you gave me everything until you gave me away" he sings in Lungs. Maybe not quite his own man yet, but Smith is getting there, as There Is a Shore, the title track and Salty and Sweet all show.
Johnsmithjohnsmith.com
Download: There Is a Shore, Lungs