The Blues may be just a job for Byther Smith — but he was far from workshy in front of an Old Vic crowd

BY GRAHAM JARVIS

Byther Smith, grandfather and father of six children, is different. Soft spoken Mr. Smith talked during an interval at The Old Vic in Nottingham on 18th May, where he was playing, about the Blues being a "God given gift" and that to him it's "just a job like any other."

On stage he joked with the crowd: "You've had 45 minutes, is it time to go home yet?"

The audience, the largest seen for a Blues' gig at the Old Vic since Big George Jackson last year, enthusiastically egged him on.

The lively ambience that Byther Smith created with his talented guitar playing and vocals, added further paradox to this reserved artist.

Organisers commented that unlike before any other gig, there was a lack of a party atmosphere.

One of his band of merry Dutchmen commented: "it's very hard to hold a conversation with him on tour."

Mr. Smith is hoping to retire soon, and has told his wife that he "ain't goin' to do no work for nobody!" He explained that he's not the type of man that worries about life.

That includes worrying about what he's playing on the night. Asked about the evening's line-up, Byther Smith admitted that he'd left his playlist in the States.

"I couldn't even tell you what I've just played," he said. "The songs come to me just like that," he added.

Mr. Smith's ideal retirement consists of sitting down and watching TV all day. He describes himself as just a "common person" and doesn't aspire to any greatness.

The Blues itself doesn't make him happy or sad. In retirement he intends to sell a vast and valuable collection of Blues' guitars.

This will allow him to pay someone to cut his lawn, and cover other bills. He often said throughout the interview: "I won't do nothing for my wife either!"

The gig was a great finale to the Blues in The City season at the Old Vic.

Thus strikes home another contradiction about the man. Byther Smith's music is the antithesis of his own self, and one that's great to listen to live. The album ‘All Night Long', although good, loses that magic.