Eric Schmitt – Wait For The Night
This music is based more on traditional seasoning. Plenty of vigor & natural flavors. Eric’s out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana & often sings about the human experience that features colorful characters like the woman who works at a Home Depot, a girl at the liquor store & philandering rascals that make up the landscape of America. People who will not be remembered 100 years from now but will probably still exist in others.
Schmitt isn’t a Bob Dylan type, or Willie Nelson country troubadour but he does have an earthy-toned resemblance to Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Storytellers who document everyday life about average people who aren’t living lives of luxury. These songs are part folk, country with a pinch of blues & lots of acoustic guitar-based tales, myths, or history. It’s satisfying for anyone who just asks innocently – “tell me a story.” That’s what Eric Schmitt does.
There are 11 short stories on Wait For The Night (Drops April 11/Independent/40:51) produced by Clay Parker (bass/organ/electric & acoustic guitar/percussion/bgv) & Eric Schmitt (vocals/acoustic & electric guitars/harmonica/piano/electric piano/lap steel). All songs were written by Eric & recorded at Clay’s studio in Gonzales, Louisiana.
The piano-driven ballad “Louisiana” has a Ray Stevens ambience (Ray has sung & played serious songs) while “Buckets” has pristine finger-picking guitar. Beautiful compositions. These are the kind of clever songs found on “Prairie Home Companion.” Down home, home grown, innocent, pure country with skill & a voice that would never lie.
Some songs are a little more involved vocally, but the simple approach remains. “Floating” has the addition of harmonica, pedal steel guitar & female voice. A distinctive narrative that’s campfire approved. A little Roger Miller style surfaces in “Fool’s Parade.” This has vigor & a full upbeat arrangement. The brief foul language is quite a novelty in a song with this kind of pedigree.
The most serious ballads are “Tattoos, Diapers & Pills,” — excellent. Something Townes van Zandt & Guy Clark would’ve appreciated & Bob Dylan should cover. “Wait For the Night” is laid out in a George Jones fashion. A lyrical song with a textured performance – sad, mournful & with a wounded narrative. Ross Bagdasarian (aka David Seville of The Chipmunks fame) used to stick serious B-side songs on his 45s. One was the rockabilly-blues of “Don’t Whistle At Me Baby,” which has an Eric Schmitt feel to it. (Well, at least to my eccentric ears it does).
Eric mines a vein of music that’s admirable & turns out excellent tunes. Old fashioned? Yes. Tasteful? Always.
Highlights – “Louisiana,” “One of These Days,” “My Red Door,” “Buckets,” “Floating,” “Fool’s Parade,” “Tattoos, Diapers & Pills,” & “Wait For the Night.”
Musicians – Denise Brumfield (bass), Dave Hinson (upright bass/cello), Chad Townsend (drums), James McCann (pedal steel guitar), Clyde Thompson (violin) & Paul Buller (mandolin).
CD photo courtesy of Jodi James (bgv). CD @ https://ericschmittmusic.com/home
Song Premiere: https://americanahighways.org/tag/eric-schmitt/
