Ian Smith - Last Call (2019)

The newest addition to the Stockfisch Records stable is an old hand in the business: Ian Smith - an excellent guitarist, singer and songwriter with Scottish roots from the "Keadue Strand" in Donegal/Ireland, as mentioned in the song of the same name.

He's been in the business - and on the road - for over 30 years and the album "Last Call" marks his first production for the Northeim sound-specialists.

Already the wonderful opener "When It Snows In New York City" envelops the listener in folksy sounds, which cannot - and in now way try to - deny the influence of James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, and which equally in no way need to shy the comparison.

His succinct voice paired with his excellent guitar-playing (a sample of which we hear in the instrumental "Guitar Doodle - 12/20"), the superlative recording and the finely-tuned fitting instrumentation in the sublime arrangements make this album with its fourteen songs into something very special. The songs subtly work their way into our ears and we cannot help but sit back and enjoy this special listening experience - oblivious to the bustle of everyday life for an hour at least.

Whether he sings about street kids in South America (Pablo's Eyes) or tells a dramatic tale about the American gold rush (Lady Overlander) or contemplates the problems of the world over a cup of coffee (Arabica Blues), Ian Smith is a storyteller par excellence and as such fits wonderfully into the meticulously chosen musicians portfolio of Stockfish Records.

As well as the celebrated 2005 Grammy-winning American musician Tim O'Brien, who as Ian Smith's personal "special guest" contributed backing vocals, mandolin and guitar tracks, we also experience the supportive musicianship of a range of superb musician colleagues such as Beo Brockhausen (various wind instruments), Hans-Jorg Maucksch (bass), Jens Kommnick (who played his guitar parts live with Ian Smith in the studio) and Manfred Leuchter (accordion), who have once again lifted the already beautiful song material to a yet higher level.

Ian Smith, vocals, guitar
Jens Kommnick, guitar, bouzouki, Aria octave-bass guitar
Ian Melrose, Manzanita Weissenborn guitar
Lea Morris, background vocals
Manfred Leuchter, accordion
Wolfgang Roggenkamp, hammond B3
Lucile Chaubard, violoncello
Justin Ciuche, violin
Viorel Bindila, oboe
Heinz Lichius, drums
Hans-Jörg Maucksch, fretless bass, upright bass
Beo Brockhausen, soprano saxophone, jew's harp, hulusi, udu
Tim O'Brien, mandolin, guitar, backing vocals

Tracklist:
01. Ian Smith - When It Snows in N.Y. City
02. Ian Smith - Restless Heart
03. Ian Smith - Lady Overlander
04. Ian Smith - Last Call
05. Ian Smith - The Come and Go
06. Ian Smith - Missin' Trains
07. Ian Smith - Guitar Doodle - 12/20
08. Ian Smith - Arabica Blues
09. Ian Smith - Pablo's Eyes
10. Ian Smith - Runaway Train
11. Ian Smith - Sittin' on Top of the World
12. Ian Smith - Voice on the Phone
13. Ian Smith - Keadue Strand
14. Ian Smith - The Smallest Step