Artist:     David G. Smith

Album:     Who Cares

Label:     Self-released

Release Date:     8.23.19

98

BUY DIGITAL

BUY PHYSICAL

This super fine collection was my introduction to this man and his art. David G. Smith firmly answers his own musical question posed in the title of this from-start-to-finish super-strong record (they will always be records to me).

With songs this strong and well written, Smith could have recorded this bare bones, with just his guitar and a Hohner Marine Band around his neck. Instead it shows just how much he thought about what he has wrought here. Besides the wide variety of things to deeply care about, he sagely enlists the help of studio and live show veterans like Tony Harrel (keys), Larry Franklin (fiddle), Joe Robinson (guitar) and Steve Grossman (percussion and drums), adding that their stuff that is very important to the feel of these songs. They and everyone else on this contribute a lot of fine rubbing compound that makes everything “Shine”even when the subjects turn very dark. Herding all these cats was Nashville veteran artist-producer Blue Miller, who sadly passed away not long after he took this over the finish line

Smith’s plainspoken musical voice, and his way of putting songs across with impeccable enunciation makes second guessing his worthwhile lyrics or using a magnifying glass to read them, totally unnecessary. (Hint to all CD designers, A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words ) It’s hard to pick favorites, even after repeated listens. From the starting gate groove of “Where Is The Medicine”(inspired by the illness of Robin Williams ) to the closing title track and his clear light of day answer, Who Cares left me caring to seek out his other works.

—Ken Spooner