Written by James Killen
Darden Smith has been in my peripheral vision for a number of years, but I really never took the chance to dig into his music. He played a show a few weeks ago at the Heights Theater with Kim Richey opening up for him. Being a long-time fan of Richey’s witty Pop Folk lyrics and tunes, I decided to check it out. Smith’s performance was so energetic and uplifting with gentle positive energy that I decided to buy his latest CD, “Everything” and give this singer/songwriter a bit of a deeper dive.
Checking into his background, I found that he was something of a prodigy, having learned guitar at age eight and writing his first song at ten. He was born in Brenham, Texas and grew up in Humble. Today, he calls Austin home and, in addition to his musical career, he gives back to the community with songwriting workshops. One of his latest and most widespread efforts is SongwritingWith: Soldiers in which he and a number of other songwriters pair up with veterans from the wars, listens to their stories and helps to turn them into songs as a means of healing for those that are carrying hidden wounds.
“Everything” starts off with “Blessings”, a beautiful piano tune that encourages the listener to look to his blessings when life gets hard and regain a positive attitude. “Firefly” is a gentle country tune about a man expressing his longing for a free spirited woman that won’t be pinned down. It features an electric guitar part by Charlie Sexton and a gently applied pedal steel by David Mansfield. “Against the Grain” is an encouraging song in support of a person’s individuality and standing up to those that encourage conformity.
Darden, expresses the regret for having not taking the chance to tell someone important in his life how he felt on “I Love You, Goodbye”. The title track is about experiencing life to its fullest while one is alive and not feeling ashamed of wanting all of the good things life has to give. “Love Will Win the War” is about approaching life in love and avoiding negativity and features a lovely mandolin melody provided by David Mansfield.
“Soul Searching” is about looking at oneself and letting love be the guide in life in a country/lounge jazz style. Smith uses an acoustic jazz guitar tune on “Me Too” to offer empathy and encouragement during seemingly hopeless times. “Carousel” is a song about the end of a relationship and picking up to carry on with life and leave oneself open to love again.
The melody of “Home” features a perky acoustic rhythm and gentle orchestration about looking for that place where a person belongs. “Forever” is about a woman pondering a way to get out of an abusive relationship. The Disc ends with “Can You See the Moon”, a gentle jazzy number about thinking of an ex-lover and whether that person is thinking about him.
“Everything” is what I would consider morning music. It gently encourages the listener to meet the day, living life in love and faith, no matter what tribulations it might have in store. Darden Smith unabashedly offers himself up in these songs admitting imperfections and offering empathy to those in pain. It leaves one with a positive determination to go out and make a difference in the world. This will be a regular occupant of my CD player when I need an emotional boost. You might find inspiration in Smith’s tunes, if you let them into your CD repertoire.