Darden Smith

Marathon (Darden Music)

Named for the West Texas town near Big Bend, Darden Smith delivers an affecting song cycle about physical and spiritual desolation. A peak in his 25-year songwriting career, the veteran local weaves atmospheric instrumentals with a tableau of folk, jazz, and blues that’s equally introspective and hard-hitting. A triumph of simplicity, Marathon and its search for meaning is typified by “75 Miles of Nothing,” a metaphor for the Texas desert and the difficulty Smith has had finding his place in the world. ***.5

This article appears in November 26 • 2010.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US