Für Fans von: Funk & Soul, Folk & Blues, und Pop.
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Smith would go on to make another guest appearance, which would prove important to his career. He showed up on Naughty Boy’s single “La La La”. This track rose all the way to number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 2013. The same year Smith put out his first EP, which was entitled “Nirvana”. The EP contained an acoustic version of Disclosure’s “Latch” as well as “Together”, which was another Disclosure related effort and also a work containing a contribution from Nile Rogers of the disco group Chic.
This EP was followed by Smith’s much anticipated full length album “In the Lonely Hour”. This album contains the immensely popular hit “Money on My Mind” and Smith’s most successful single to date “Stay With Me”. The latter song has made it into the top 10 single charts in 12 different countries including a number 1 spot in the UK and a number 2 spot on the US Billboard’s Hot 100. Smith has performed this song on several television shows including Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America and on the David Letterman show alongside Mary J. Blige. Blige also appears on an alternative version of the single. This single has also been herald by many other performing artists and has been covered by Chris Brown, Charli XCX, FKA Twigs and even Vin Diesel. In promotion for “In the Lonely Hour” Smith embarked on a American headlining tour in the Spring of 2014, playing to multiple sold-out venues.
Apart from being third cousins to Lilly Allen, Smith had a musically rich childhood. He honed in on his singing and songwriting skills under the instruction of British Jazz pianist/songwriter Joanna Eden and attended the Youth Music Theatre UK, starring in their production of “Oh! Carol”. While Smith was a student at St. Mary’s Catholic School he was a part of the Bishop’s Stortford Junior Operatics and also strengthened his vocal skills in the Cantate Youth Choir. Despite Smith’s classical style voice training he gravitated towards the music of R&B legends Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Amy Winehouse and mega pop stars such as Beyonce and Lady Gaga. The influence of emotive soul and pop balladry remain an integral part of Smith’s style.
Sam Smith; the guy with the BEST male vocals in the UK right now Well what can i say. I have every respect and love in the world for this guy. For starters, the presence he brings to the stage just as he walks on, before he’s even began to sing. The crowds cheer and arms in the air just shows what he means to all. So, some may say that it wasn’t necessarily the gig they bought tickets for considering that we only found out there and then that it was all going to be streamed live everywhere, but he definitely brought it home with what i would say was an 11/10 performance. His passion shines through in each and every song and you just don’t want the night to end and stop his soothing voice. You know how it is after a concert the come down is the worst part especially after any performance like that. I must mention the support act ‘Richie and the Remedy’ who were amazing also. I’d never heard of them before but the voice that Richie Skint carries and the picking skills that Harvey Lee showed definitely left me wondering when they’re next performing and fingers crossed it’s near me! Definitely a band that should be shouted about more. Everyone likes to think that the artist up there on stage gave them a little look out of the 100s of people surrounding them but Sam Smith never failed to cover the entire audience and give his cheeky little smile. I’ve seen him perform before, once with ‘Disclosure’ and once with, local lad for me, ‘Naughty Boy’. Again just an amazing show and to see him go from roughly a 3 minute performance to a whole performance dedicated for him is such an awesome thing to witness.I knew that i had to get the tickets as soon as i found out about the gig but back then he wasn’t so well known and most definitely became known at the perfect time for this gig. I think credit where credit is due and that’s down to ‘Disclosure’ for finding this hidden gem in the midst of the music industry today thanks to his exceptional track ‘Lay Me Down’. Also a thanks should go to ‘Naughty Boy’ for featuring Sam on his track ‘La La La’ which ultimately broke him through the final barriers of the music industry. One of the best things about the night was the little surprises he had lined up for us. Out of nowhere comes Jessie Ware to join him in 'Leave Your Lover'. With a voice like an angel, together they had the place stunned. Another of the surprises, a bit later on, brought out Howard from Disclosure to play 'Make It To Me' on the keys. The amount of talent the artists and bands seem have these days never ceases to amaze me.
So what a talent, and from his personal experiences have come the most stunning tracks i’ve heard and it’s amazing how his voice and compositions make you share his feelings and it almost makes you feel as though you know him. I must admit i’ve shed a tear to many of his songs and i’m not ashamed to say! What a thanks to Sam Smith and all the success is wished to him by everyone i can imagine. If you ever get the chance, even if you’ve seen him before, go and see him for yourself and I can promise you that you won't regret it. By Amba Pattison