Live As I'll Ever Be is the title of a recording by American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 singer/songwriter Chris Smither

Chris Smither

Chris Smither is an American folk/blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. His music draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and philosophers.-Early life, influences and education:...

. It is a live album recorded over the course of several years. The cover was painted by Eric Von Schmidt

Eric Von Schmidt

Eric "Rick" Von Schmidt was an American singer-songwriter and Grammy Award recipient. He was associated with the folk/blues revival of the 1960s and a key part of the East Coast folk music scene that included Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.-Background and associations with Dylan:Von Schmidt's father,...

.

Reception

Writing for Allmusic, critic Ann Wikstrom wrote of the album "There are entertaining song intros and bits of warm banter with the audience, too. Chris Smither is always at his best when he is performing live. In fact, he often says that he writes songs and records albums just so he can perform live, and not the other way around. Live As I'll Ever Be gives you a great front-row seat, any time you want it." Barbara Flaska of PopMatters

PopMatters

PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...

wrote in her review "Smither is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter to be reckoned with. He sings in a beautifully timbered deep voice. His guitar work blends stong roots with his own innovative stylings."

Track listing

All songs by Chris Smither unless otherwise noted.

1. "Intro" – :34
2. "Hold On" – 4:01
3. "The Devil's Real" – 4:57
4. "Link of Chain" – 4:48
5. "No Love Today intro" – 1:34
6. "No Love Today" – 4:42
7. "Caveman" – 5:21
8. "Winsome Smile" – 3:32
9. "Slow Surprise" – 3:40
10. "Help Me Now" – 3:34
11. "Small Revelations" – 4:06
12. "Can't Shake These Blues" (Smither, Tilston) – 4:07
13. "Dust My Broom
    Dust My Broom
    "Dust My Broom" is a blues standard originally recorded as "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom"by Robert Johnson, the Mississippi Delta blues singer and guitarist, on November 23, 1936 in San Antonio, Texas. The song was originally released on 78 rpm format as Vocalion 03475, ARC 7-04-81 and Conqueror 8871...
    
    " – (Robert Johnson arr. Chris Smither)- 3:08
14. "I Am the Ride" - 3:57
15. "Up on the Lowdown" – 4:14
16. "Killing the Blues" (Rowland Salley
    Rowland Salley
    Rowland Salley is an American musician, songwriter and artist, sometimes called Roly Salley. Salley is a bass guitarist and vocalist for Chris Isaak's band Silvertone...
    
    ) – 5:49