Smile from the Streets You Hold
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| Smile from the Streets You Hold | |||||
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| Studio album by John Frusciante | |||||
| Released | August 26, 1997 | ||||
| Recorded | 1988–1996 | ||||
| Genre | Experimental rock, lo-fi, psychedelic rock, avant-garde | ||||
| Length | 61:23 | ||||
| Label | Birdman Records | ||||
| Producer | John Frusciante | ||||
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| John Frusciante chronology | |||||
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Smile from the Streets You Hold is the second solo album by John Frusciante. The record was released during a time when Frusciante was not performing with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was released in 1997 on Birdman Records, while Frusciante was still addicted to heroin.
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[edit] Recording
Many songs from Smile from the Streets You Hold were recorded when Frusciante was still with the Chili Peppers and are from the same period as his previous solo album, Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt.
In a 1997 interview with Guitar Player, Frusciante claimed to have maintained active communication with the spirit world during the album's recording phase:[1]
| “ | The title song was a very intense moment, because I was having verbal communication with the spirits while I was recording; and I started crying at the end of it. The spirits give you ideas for things, and what's important to them is what's important to me. I'm much more concerned with my fame in their world than with my fame in this one. That's why it's been difficult for me to adjust to being alive at all. | ” |
The late actor River Phoenix, a good friend of Frusciante and the rest of the Chili Peppers, is featured on two tracks, "Height Down" (originally titled "Soul Removal"), and "Well I've Been" (originally titled "Bought Her Soul").[2] Both songs were supposed to be released on Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt, but were pulled by request of Phoenix's family.
"More", "I Can't See Until I See Your Eyes", and "Estress" were recorded to a cassette on a boombox in 1997. Frusciante's poor health is apparent in his voice.
[edit] Equipment
Because Smile From The Streets You Hold consists of different recording periods, ranging from 1988 to 1997, it's hard to pinpoint what was used during the recording of Smile. Acoustic and Electric guitars run through out this album which was recorded on 4track recorders and infrequently, a stereo system.
[edit] Release
Frusciante had Smile from the Streets You Hold and his first solo album, Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt, removed from record stores in 1998 after rejoining the Red Hot Chili Peppers because he felt uncomfortable with them being available to the public. He is quoted as saying that he released Smile from the Streets You Hold for drug money. Niandra Lades was eventually re-issued and Frusciante has promised he will one day re-release Smile from the Streets You Hold.
There is also a second print of Smile from the Streets You Hold available. Including an extended/edited version of "Life's a Bath", the title song "Smile from the Streets You Hold" is split in two separate tracks. Another difference between the 17-track version and the 18-track version is that on the former, John can be heard taking a hit from a bong on "For Air".
[edit] Track listing
All songs written by John Frusciante.
- "Enter a Uh" – 8:06
- "The Other" – 1:36
- "Life's a Bath" – 1:18
- "A Fall Thru the Ground" – 2:24
- "Poppy Man" – 1:21
- "I May Again Know John" – 8:47
- "I'm Always" – 2:33
- "Nigger Song" – 4:15
- "Femininity" – 2:35
- "Breathe" – 6:21
- "More" – 2:07
- "For Air" – 3:55
- "Height Down" – 4:00
- "Well, I've Been" – 3:06
- "Smile from the Streets You Hold" – 5:09
- "I Can't See Until I See Your Eyes" – 1:30
- "Estress" – 2:17
[edit] References
- ^ Rotondigic, James. "Till I Reach the Higher Ground." Guitar Player, November 1997.
- ^ Smile from the Streets You Hold Involvement. River-Phoenix.org. Retrieved on 2007-07-06.
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