Lyrics Dave Carter Mama she raised me on riddles and trances Fatback, channel-cat, lily white lies Rocked my cradle in a jimmy-crack fancy Never met papa and I never asked why And people say papa wasn't no account anyway People say papa was a rollin' stone I turned twenty on the Waccamaw throughway Hitchin' upriver in the dark alone {Refrain} Sleepin' with a stranger in a no name town Thanksgivin' dinner at the Top Hat Lounge Christmas Eve at the Fantasy Tan Lord have mercy on the crocodile man
con't: {Refrain} Underneath the levee in a cattail thicket Hidden in the shadow of a shady grove There's a thatched roof risin' from a poke fence picket White smoke billows from a kettle black stove Inside the house is the hall of mirrors Inside the mirror is the temple of sin Inside the temple is the face of mama And mama she knows just where I been Yeah, mama know exactly where her bad boy been – huh
Wiki: Dave Carter's songs were often noted for their poetic imagery, spirituality and storytelling while retaining connection to the country music of his southern American upbringing. Carter's memory has been kept alive by his many admirers, most notably his former partner. Tracy Grammer has continued to introduce previously unrecorded songs and recordings that the duo were working on prior to Carter's death.
I've said this on other Chris vid posts, gonna say it again. Chris Smither sits back in his easy chair and, barely seeming to break a sweat, owns. All hail. :-) Damn, what a player.
you ever checked out Tommy Emmanuel? He's pretty good too. I have to give this guy credit though- I hear he has played with the likes of Clapton and Bonnie Riatt.
Great clip apart from people wandering around while Chris Smither is playing. Why not just sit down and listen to the performance? Apart from that; great clip. Thanks for posting it. Chris Smither has some great instruction DVDs if you want to try to learn this style of playing - available from his website.
Love this version; can't stop listening to it!
CommentsSurvey 3 weeks ago
CommentsSurvey 3 weeks ago
CommentsSurvey 3 weeks ago
Wiki: Dave Carter's songs were often noted for their poetic imagery, spirituality and storytelling while retaining connection to the country music of his southern American upbringing. Carter's memory has been kept alive by his many admirers, most notably his former partner. Tracy Grammer has continued to introduce previously unrecorded songs and recordings that the duo were working on prior to Carter's death.
CommentsSurvey 3 weeks ago
How come I never heard of this breath of fresh air in the music world? Thank you, thank you!
Filotimos 10 months ago
@Filotimos
Because Chris is more interested in just playing than promoting himself. He's one of the coolest dudes you will ever meet.
DictionRedaction 4 months ago
Lord Have Mercy !
upsidedahead 10 months ago
Dave Carter and Chris Smither are the finest this country has to offer.
Jimpeacfammusic 1 year ago
I love this song..
ShantyTones 1 year ago
What a tune! Awesome stuff and, no offense to Dave Carter, but Chris does this song so much better than DC IMO.
Say, is this an Adamas he's playing here?
WhiteLakeDan 2 years ago
It is an Alverez "Yairi".
Taylor510ceL9 2 years ago
@Taylor510ceL9 That it is . schweet tone all day !!!
richiemabie 8 months ago
It's the old blue guitar that is his signature. He's been playing it for years.
DictionRedaction 2 years ago
I've said this on other Chris vid posts, gonna say it again. Chris Smither sits back in his easy chair and, barely seeming to break a sweat, owns. All hail. :-) Damn, what a player.
blakedawg76 2 years ago 4
you ever checked out Tommy Emmanuel? He's pretty good too. I have to give this guy credit though- I hear he has played with the likes of Clapton and Bonnie Riatt.
cletus50 2 years ago
Who are the morons walking in front of the video? Such a shame. Ruined a wonderful 4 minutes.
michaelgmitchell 2 years ago
Chris Smither, Prince of Blues!
Galacticplane 2 years ago
too right there is no equal to him just watched him in glasgow brilliant sumthin i thot id never c got his autograph really nice guy
bigsuey 3 years ago
What a powerfully dark tune, masterfully done by Chris. Awesome tempo and melody.
I'm not sure this guy has any equal out there.
DictionRedaction 3 years ago 4
I'll second that.
blakedawg76 2 years ago
Saw him playing this song last night at the Blue Highways festival in Utrecht Holland, awesome, great song, great performance, thnx for the vid.
greekfalcon 3 years ago
Chris Smither - a master, and Dave Carter would be loving this.
Lifeislikeabeanstalk 3 years ago
MORE what about the old stuff, It aint easy?? Mayballene?? lets get them
colbrot 3 years ago
Good Gawd! Is this real?? Been trying to find this cut for a long time. Look at what Dave Carter wrote here. This stuff is scary.
Man THANKS!!! What A Vid!!!
PhantomAspect 4 years ago 2
Great clip apart from people wandering around while Chris Smither is playing. Why not just sit down and listen to the performance? Apart from that; great clip. Thanks for posting it. Chris Smither has some great instruction DVDs if you want to try to learn this style of playing - available from his website.
FortSt 4 years ago
He's the best. I've seen him twice in Bloomington, IN, where I live, and also in Philly and in London at the Borderline. He never disappoints.
diogeron 4 years ago
wow that was awsome!
taylor410ce 5 years ago
Chris Smither did a great job of taking the late Dave Carter's song and making it his own.
awesley1 5 years ago
I never get sick of this guy...Many Thanks ..keep them coming..
hairykiore 5 years ago
Good Things Come to He Who Waits!
Taylor510ceL9 5 years ago