Ian Smith Last Call Hybrid Stereo SACD

Audiophile SACD Sound!
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 as a Super-Audio CD.
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.

Features:

• Super Audio CD
• SACD Stereo SACD Layer
• This Hybrid SACD contains a 'Red Book' Stereo CD Layer which is playable on most conventional CD Players!
• Recorded and produced by Gunter Pauler
• Pre-mastering by Hans-Jorg Maucksch at Pauler Acoustic
• Mastering monitors: B&W 800 D3

Musicians:

• Ian Smith, vocals, guitar
• Jens Kommnick, guitar, bouzouki, Aria contrabass guitar
• Ian Melrose, guitar, Manzanita weissenborn guitar, dobro
• Lea Morris, backing vocals
• Manfred Leuchter, accordion
• Wolfgang Roggenkamp, Hammond b-3
• Lucille Chaubard, cello
• Justin Ciuche, violin
• Viorel Bindila, oboe
• Heinz Lichius, drums
• Hans-Jorg Maucksch, fretless bass, upright bass
• Beo Brockhausen, soprano saxophone, jew's harp, udu

Special guest:

• Tim O'Brien, mandolin, guitar, backing vocals

Selections:

1. When it Snows In N.Y. City
2. Restless Heart
3. Lady Overlander
4. Last Call
5. The Come And Go
6. Missin' Trains
7. Guitar Doodle - 12/20
8. Arabica Blues
9. Pablo's Eyes
10. Runaway Train
11. Sittin' On Top Of The World
12. Voice On The Phone
13. Keadue Strand
14. The Smallest Step