Old Man Dancing, Michael's new CD, is now available!
More CD info from Jamie O'Reilly.
See CD reviews by:
Arthur Wood
Mike Regenstreif
On
media page:
Downloadable photos, poster, and flyer
|
* See a Jan 7, 2013 WTTW-TV Chicago Tonght interview with Leo Segedin (whose paintings were used on Michael Smith's There and Old Man Dancing). * See a slideshow of Leo Segedin's paintings, accompanied by Michael's song Hey Kid. |
Songs. Done. Write.
Michael Smith's Songwriting Workshops
For the Adventurous Mind
Michael Smith, the internationally celebrated songwriter and performer now offers Songwriting Workshops in addition to - and in conjunction with - musical concerts. More info...
See Songwriting Workshop flyer on media page.
"AND THE POET SANG" - Poems as Lyrics
New Program from Michael Smith and Jamie O'Reilly!
Debuted at The Poetry Foundation
More info...
May 2013:
This month I'm working with Blair Thomas, who is an interesting man and who has a very calm way of approaching his life and art. I'd love some of that to rub off on me and that's one of the many reasons I'll enjoy working with him again in "The Selfish Giant". Plus it's happening at his farm, though I always feel like Leo Gorcey when I'm out in the country.
It's a good month: I get to play at Chief O'Neills' again and have some of that Shepherd's Pie, which I trust they are featuring in any Heaven I'd care to wind up in. Speaking of Heaven, I wonder if the Catholic Childhood show is getting me any indulgences?
READ a review of "Songs of a Catholic Childhood", featured in The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI.
January 2013:
A note from West Early:
I am doing various things this week: renovations to Snow Queen,
a musical adaptation which has been for about a gazillion years a
work in progress, and which a bright young man from Brown intends
to direct there next year; also a musical setting of a long and
intriguing poem by someone from Chicago who'll remain nameless until
he gives his permission to let me do it (I'm kinda trying it on,
on spec);
reading Burmese Days by George Orwell; getting involved in repeated listenings to
"Dead Meat", a weird, beautiful and so
Lennonish Youtube performance by Sean Lennon,whose musical notions
I admire much as I do Rufus W, who is perfect.. (I'm surprised to
even like a song called "Dead Meat"...still truckin'). Also
digging Rufus and Sean and some other guy doing
"This Boy",
absolutely an eternal song.
Meanwhile my cool friend
Leo Segedin's website features a performance
of my
"Hey Kid"
from the There CD
as aural background to a presentation
of some of Mr. Segedin's poignant and extraordinary paintings of
Chicago and I am so proud in every way to be associated with this
singular painter. You can see he's so bold, you don't need to be told:
his work has always been great, and If you like what I do this is
one of my Best Things so please dig it. It's
right here.
Meanwhile
Mr. Obama is still President, thank you Jesus, and Mr. Franco is
still dead. Be well and grateful, as I am, for these gifts.
Some of Michael's 70's vinyl recordings (and some covers by others) are still available for sale!
Check out Michael's Facebook "fan" page for more information about upcoming appearances, photos, etc.
Also, two Facebook "social" pages:
Michael Smith stands out as one of the few undisputed geniuses among singer-songwriters.
Sing Out! Magazine
One of the best songwriters in the English language ...an enchanting and riveting performer.
Chicago Magazine
the thing that stands out most in Michael's work is his unpredictable creativity just when you think you know where he's going, lyrically or musically, he'll turn a metaphoric corner on you, double back, sneak up behind you and slip a rainbow in your pocket.
those of us who are songwriters or guitar players ... learn why there really are no rules when it comes to the game of music
Hill Country House Concerts,
Bulverde Texas
Michael Smith is represented by
J. O'Reilly Productions
For booking information,
please contact:
mps_booking@jamieoreilly.com
See also
Michael Smith info page
Web questions: slp@ameritech.net
Sign up here for Michael's mailing list!
Hearing the songs of Michael Smith in this day and age is like reading an anthology of short stories by Hemingway after decades of only comic books. It's a realization that songs can hold a whole lot more than they're usually expected to hold, that they can possess a genuine sense of place as evocative and magical as the finest literature...
His songs are so resonant in layers
of myth and magic, and so perfectly enhanced by the
genuine beauty of his melodies and instrumental
arrangements, that you can listen to a single one over
and over for an afternoon and feel satisfied.
Song Talk magazine
Singer-songwriter Smith's ruminations on aging and
ephemerality draw much of their power from the
glistening tone and unfaltering taste of his
imaginative steel-string accompaniments.
Guitar Player magazine
When Amsterdam is golden in the morning
Margaret brings him breakfast
She believes him
He thinks that tulips bloom beneath the snow
He's mad as he can be
But Margaret only sees that sometimes
Sometimes she sees her unborn children in his eyes.
"The Dutchman" by Michael
Smith
For information about booking Michael Smith, please contact: mps_booking@jamieoreilly.com