John Smith, live at Whelan's

Rough Trade records founder Geoff Travis has a theory that, despite the highly unpredictable and volatile nature of the music industry, every good artist will eventually find the audience they deserve.
There’s a sense that the inauspiciously named John Smith is finally getting there with his fourth album Great Lakes, after years of opening for the illustrious Iron & Wine, James Yorkston, David Gray, Jools Holland, Lisa Hannigan and the legendary Gil Scott-Heron.

This dapper chap from Devon is so soft-spoken you struggle to make out what he’s saying between songs. Yet when he sings, his voice is strong and confident, offering a rich, soothing balm somewhere between Nick Drake and John Martyn.
He does, in fact, throw in a tender version of Martyn’s ‘Spencer The Rover’. There are even more surprises in store as Lisa Hannigan joins Smith onstage for a divine rendition of his current radio hit ‘Salty & Sweet.’
Smith’s double bassist and percussionist elevate his show above humdrum solo troubadour fare. While Ben Howard has cited Smith as a massive influence on his playing style, it’s heartening to see now that it’s not just musicians who are taking note.