DARDEN SMITH, widely acclaimed singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, will be appearing at The Lamp, Dudley, on SATURDAY, 17TH MAY 2008.
From the same stable as Neil Young, Jackson Browne and James Taylor, he has played at major stadiums across North America and Europe, in his 11 album, 20 year career. He has collaborated with and written songs for a wide variety of artists, including – including Richard Thompson,Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, Boo Hewerdine, and Eddie Reader (ex- Fairground Attraction). Something of an anglophile, he enjoys visiting the UK and performing at more intimate venues, hence our success in attracting him to The Lamp. His stunning album `Sunflowers` reached no 3 in the BBC Radio playlist. He recently authored and presented `Songs From The Big Sky`, also on BBC Radio 2,where he showcased himself and other Texan songwriters including Kris Kristofferson, and for his sins he has also appeared on Ned Sherrin`s `Start The Week`. On top of all of this he’s also simply a decent bloke, and anyone attending his gigs can’t fail to be charmed by the broad appeal of his melodic guitar and piano-based work.
For further information please visit his web sites at
www.dardensmith.com and http://www.myspace.com/dardensmith and see `Reviews`
section below.
The Lamp`s dedicated live music venue is found in `The Brewhouse` (Dudley`s
`Ronnie Scott’s`) at the rear of the main building,and is a very comfortable,
seated and acoustically excellent venue. It’s easily reached just
outside the town centre, where the High Street (B4587) meets Queens Cross
,and has ample car parking spaces.Doors open at 7.30 pm and with support
from the very talented singer-songwriter DALE PERRY a great night of music
is guaranteed for all.
The Lamp is also the home of REAL ALE;Bathams Beer. What a combination !
There`s even accommodation if you feel the need to `stay over`.
VENUE ADDRESS: The Lamp, 116 High Street, Dudley, DY1 1QT.
TICKETS
Tickets are available in advance @ £10 from;
www.the-broadway.com or Tel 01384394267
www.wegottickets.com
or by e mailing requirements and address to georgetortoise@fsmail.net
or Tel 078806 92657 ,
or by sending a cheque payable to `GEORGE TORTOISE` for the correct number
of tickets, enclosing a SAE
REVIEWS:
“imagine a Leonard Cohen who can really sing
or a Nick Drake from the Southwest States;;;;;;mesmerizing songs other songwriters
only strive for” Rob Patterson,HARP MUSIC REVIEW
“Hailing from Austin, Texas, folk pop singer song writer takes to
the acoustic stage with the authority and presence of a man at he height
of his performing and writing powers……Darden is a brilliant
reminder of the power that one man with a guitar and some great songs can
have”. Phil Jones, GLASTONBURY OFFICIAL SITE
“The main event is ……Darden Smith, who’s just released
“Field of Crows”, the latest in a series of excellent albums
stretching back for a couple of decades. He’s a lot more comfortable
on stage than he used to be, and strikes up much more of a rapport with
the audience, rather than the take it or leave it approach he’s occasionally
been guilty of in the past. His newer material is more reflective and contemplative
and reflects his age (mid-forties), parenthood and his concerns at the state
of the world (“Field of Crows” is informed, but not tub-thumpingly
so, by the Iraq war). He peppers the set with classic oldies like “Meet
me on the Levee” and “Talk to Me”, all accompanied by
his percussive guitar. Every so often he unplugs and does a straight acoustic
number or two sitting on a chair at the front of the audience. An increasingly
common ploy among performers, he’s one of its pioneers, and it serves
to emphasise his powerful voice, which is often restrained on stage, and
also his casually excellent guitar playing. ….A class evening from
a class act” Jeremy Searle ,THE MAZE @ CABARET,NOTTINGHAM .
