Shake These Blues" is just awesome. Check out not only the Dylan cover here ("What Was It You Wanted," from OH MERCY), but the back cover of HAPPIER BLUE, with Chris sitting on a porch with big sneakers, just like Bob on the back of UNDER THE RED SKY. He's just cracking up. Smither is one of the most eloquent and intelligent performers on the solo circuit. With only guitar, voice and foot tapping rhythm section he squeezes more emotion and wisdom and world weary irony out of a song than anyone I know. He is a great interpreter but his originals are the best tracks here - Link of Chain, 'Deed I Do, Can't Shake these Blues and the fantastic The Ride. No other contemporary songwriter pens a better, cleverer lyric and very few engage the listener so well. Best seen live but this CD and "Small Revelations" are priceless souvenirs. Heard Chris Smither live at Downpatrick Folk Club - one of the best live concerts i've ever been to. The man is a genius with lyrics, subtle, sophisticated, clever, funny, honest, and a world weary voice that is perfect for the material. Brilliant guitar picking style. This album is full of classics - the original "Link of Chain", "Deed I Do", "Can't Shake These Blues" and utterly fantastic "I Am The Ride" plus lovely cover of Dylan's "What Was It You Wanted". He creates a wonderful mood (any time of the day). Accept no substitutes!