A Review of Red Guitar

by John Metzger

Published by The Music Box - December 1998

F.M. Smith's Red Guitar, recently released by Meriwether Music, is a collection of beautiful acoustic folk songs that draw from the music of Michael Hedges, Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, David Crosby, and Willy Porter. The music is certainly mellow as it gently flows, creating a lush mood of thoughtful introspection. As tender and gentle as the songs may seem, there's quite a bite behind many of Smith's lyrics. Rob Bonaccorsi, formerly the powerhouse guitar aficionado behind the Freddy Jones Band, adds a subtle undercurrent to the beauty in Smith's songs that helps to bring the darkness in Smith's lyrics to the forefront. Smith's songs tackle everything from broken relationships (I Keep Walking) to political and social commentary (Gonna Come a Day) with a sense of controlled anger and frustration. Gonna Come a Day appears as both a studio recording as well as a bonus live selection. Both versions contain a haunting harmonica accompaniment from Jack Corazza that captures the lonely desperation of the song. On World Keeps Turning, Smith creates a swirling sensation by mixing funky acoustic rhythms and edgy slide guitar. Time captures the transitory nature of life and pushes the urgency of a "live for the moment" philosophy.  ½  (out of  )