Album Notes

Exploring the vast world of music and experimenting with combinations of styles is the ethos that drives Detroit songwriter/musician Gerard Smith. Smith creates a travelogue of sound that combines Celtic influences, Jazz, Folk and Rock elements for an eclectic listening experience.

The Detroit native grew up in the Irish enclave of Emmett in the thumb of Michigan. He honed his musical skills in a variety of musical groups over the past twenty years in many genres including Jazz and Rock and Roll. A proficient multi-instrumentalist, Gerard not only plays both electric and acoustic guitar but also the mandolin, bouzouki, bodhran, tin whistle and concertina.

An ardent fan of Irish folk music, Gerard slowly built up his repertoire of these traditional Irish ballads and tunes. He has since been playing extensively around Michigan as a solo act and with different groups, such as the traditional Irish trio,The Bowzies, to the non-traditional Celtic and punk-influenced band, Bill Grogan’s Goat.

His first album, “Wind That Shakes the Barley,” is a musical collaboration with fellow Irish troubadours Terry Murphy and Colin Paige. He released his debut solo album entitled “Hamtramck:Heaven” as an ode to the Detroit enclave. The album included a mix of music, encompassing traditional and original songs, utilizing both electric and acoustic instruments. Len Wallace’s review in The Irish Connection magazine had this to say about the album:
“The man has a message and isn’t afraid to tell it….What makes the album unique is how Gerard has wedded the acoustic folk tradition with ‘metal’ instrumental. ‘Hamtramck Heaven’ is more in the style of the late Sixties and early Seventies folk-rock adventures.”

Gerard Smith continues his exploration into the wealth of Celtic folk music and modernizes these songs with his unique performance style. His second solo effort, “Idylls of the Kings of the Road.” features an eclectic mix of acoustic folk songs such as the title track to rock adventures in the song “Rise”. His influences range from traditional Irish folk music to The Beatles to Cabaret Voltaire. Gerard hopes that you enjoy this work as much as he enjoyed making it.

Gerard Smith plays Larrivee guitars, Weber mandolin family instruments, and John Pearse strings. He is endorsed by the Epiphone Company.

For more information on Gerard Smith check out the official website at: www.gerardsmith.net or myspace.com/gerardsmith Contact email: Gerard@GerardSmith.net or (313-969-1110)