Happy Blues - Richard Smith

Hot picking by Richard Smith at the UU Dome concert, Jan 29, 2010. Thanks to Gloria Holloway and Bill Blymiller. Special thanks to Bob Stamper and the Tampa Bay Finger Style Players Club.
Video by Bill Dudley, www.billdudley.com

[@JDCullum]

Richard is a great entertainer, songwriter, etc., As a finger style player few can hold their own with him. His rhythmic feel is unrivaled.

[@robertlee8042]

It’s a boogie-woogie blues. Happy as hell.

[@jimroveto1543]

Richard, you are probably the best guitar player on the planet. What friggin technique. IN CREDIBLE!!!

[@seanhonan9152]

The diversity is fantastic! How the hell can anyone be this good .....excelling in any style.

[@anthonycashero7605]

He plays blues with some fun in the mix. Always a pleasure to listen to. Thanks.

[@nigelbullock4411]

Met Richard at the Tommy Emmanuel Camp in Scotland in May this year, a really nice guy and an awesome picker, some of his Scott Joplin stuff is unbelievable.

[@ayokay123]

Unbelievable? Heck, he's the ONLY person on the planet that can do the original arrangements as perfectly as he does. Hell, not even Tommy attempts them. Personally, I think they're the two best living guitarists.

[@ayokay123]

Tommy and Richard are the two best living guitarists...and perhaps 2 or 3 others at most.

[@CC-xt1bw]

Emil Ernebro from Sweden is pretty darn good as well!

[@rickb9238]

This gentleman sure can play.👍👍

[@ronmercer7853]

When you want perfection, you want Richard Smith!!

[@NaughtyNormanUT]

Thats Richard, messin with my head, it'll be flamenco next, with his Travis thumb going as well. What a guy.

[@MrJbaker7]

Richard, You are probably the one of the best Fingerstyle player on the Planet....you are unbelievable...Jack Baker NYC

[@punchdrunque8584]

Probably?

[@herbshepler2285]

It is amazing how similar the style of Richard and Tommy Emanuel are. They have a common influence in Chet. Thanks Chet.

[@hepbro]

I was there. All I can say is fantastic. Richard is one of the finest finger style players on the planet. Thanks for posting Bill.

[@bdcava]

Love it man!

[@randybock82]

Those faces crack me up.He is a hoot

[@rickyraveon]

Love it. I saw them in a little bitty guitar store in a little bitty town in Oklahoma. He's a character all right. And a great guy & gal. Very down to earth couple.

[@Claudiahochow]

Very intelligent Music. Richard is One of Those Who is in a leaque on his own 🎶 🌹🎶

[@danielguilloton6975]

Thanks for this nice happy blues !

[@andrewgladwin4151]

thanx richard ..only a few musicions touch my soul and your right up the top of the list...awesome

[@baltalm4277]

Perfect tempo! This man is a monster!

[@dennisjohndreher7258]

Richard Smith is right at the top as an acoustic player.

[@juleswins3]

Those remarks about facial expressions are exactly right!

[@jvalentif]

I am a big big fan. Tks.

[@punchdrunque8584]

Great share, thanks. Saw the video of Richard playing at 11 years of age, years ago being introduced by Chet Atkins. Chet said of him THEN, a remarkable guitar player, plays everything I do but better. Richard is indeed one OUTSTANDING guitarist in multiple genre.

[@ayokay123]

Both Richard and Tommy were child musical prodigies. Makes sense.

[@verningles4898]

Thanks for sharing great playing

[@91mperez]

This guy is great. He proves you don't need all the theatric gestures or speed to be a great guitarist.

[@sunjamrblues]

My hero!

[@dreambeliever3652]

Tight man!👌

[@gretavettori6412]

Great!!!!

[@1971SuperLead]

Just awesome.

[@ZOTWOMAN]

He's a great player and a great actor... Julie and Richard have a great rapport - check them out if they come to your town!

[@epileptiquitopark7971]

this guitarrist is very expressive,good that one!!!

[@cornelmasson4610]

Especially like the ending lick ;)

[@grandpaobvious]

Jerry Hubbard lives on.

[@HowardH2008]

Richard is a typical brit!....Very funny!....

[@ShowHawkDuo]

magic

[@5150flstc]

I like his comment about the facial expressions.....he is trying so hard to not make them and yet can't help it. I bet Clapton listens to this guy every day unless its Mon to Sun.

[@johnny196775]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@banjopete]

Happy and Funny!

[@programmerprogi7621]

Why he is not so popular as Tommy Emmanuel?

[@haanashim]

Flashy playing trumps musical taste.

[@drherb280]

Perhaps Tommy is just more extroverted, or has a higher drive to earn money, or most likely bc he has chosen "popular" songs to which the masses better relate. Clearly Richard is equally talented, at least to my unqualified ear.

[@haanashim]

Richard, to me, is the more subtle musician.

[@drherb280]

True. I believe Richard plays for the guitar aficionado, while Tommy plays more for the masses. At their level of expertise, either can play whatever and however they want - e.g., Mozart or Segovia - with minimal wood-shedding. It must be nice to be them LOL.

[@rhumandlove393]

@@drherb280 different people do things different. Tommy is probably more physically attractive as well and that plays a roll.

[@kurtozan251]

He's giving away my stinky cheese blues guitar face secrets!!

[@reddragon99100]

So much jerry reed in there👌

[@jmcljazz]

Great Job love the humour,, and the playing was so very nice. Great guitarist. Do you have the notation or Tabs Richard? Tommy puts a lot of his stuff out I think you should too because you are a world class guitarist... nice harmony by your wife also..! Jim

[@GomezMcPommes]

genius

[@ToninoTomeo]

How can someone put a down thumb on this? What the hell, have you been beaten when you were kids???

[@ayokay123]

Highly likely.

[@geoffg6867]

How do you remember where to put your fingers and strum at the same time ? You must have a good memory

[@dennisdeclercq5443]

That's why he calls it "happy blues"

[@sunjamrblues]

Could we have the tabs for that please?

[@sunjamrblues]

That was meant to be a joke - I wasn't serious about wanting tabs.

[@stanhenderson7984]

top dog

[@noahcount7132]

Two-string BB King couldn't hold Richard's coat -- so why was he a great deal more well-known and famous?

[@dustinbironworker1]

114 to 1 on likes to dislikes...think I'll make it 115... :)

[@alexavouris2661]

metallica have nothing on this guy

[@mickdonnell7077]

Sounds like RE processed Sh!t....

[@TheSebatianSPS]

yeah he has a different tone, to be sure. But he's a magnificent player.

[@JDChicago]

His tone sucks and he has the personality of a dead fish. Sorry I'd followed him on Twitter, he has no original ideas musically or otherwise.

[@FrettieFingers]

Thanks for showing us what a complete idiot you are, JD WindbagCity

[@terrysmith4889]

Yeah I can't figure out why such an excellent player would do this on nylon strings. Really does a disservice to his playing.

[@punchdrunque8584]

He's playing live, without going through a $10,000 soundboard, stage acoustics not the best. Have no idea what sort of rrcording equipment. If you ever hear his CD recordings you'll be more amazed.

[@5150flstc]

Dick did not hit on much with that one. I had heard of him and that is the first time I gave him a listen. I suppose blues players do make the faces but, the finger pickers always make the goofy facial expressions in an attempt to be funny at how great they consider themselves.

[@FrettieFingers]

Only a Dick would call him Dick.

[@punchdrunque8584]

Said the guy who posts everyone else's videos and still can entice but one subscriber, go figure.