Smitty: How easy was that, huh? That’s beautiful, man.
LR: Yeah.
Smitty: So, now, you used just a ton of guitars on this project. How many guitars did you use?
LR: It’s about a dozen guitars and that was unusual for me too. I used to use quite a few guitars on some of the earlier records and as I was honing my sound in the latter records, it would be more directed towards maybe one, two or three guitars, but this time I did a lot of orchestrating with acoustic guitars and what we call baritone guitars tuned to a lower pitch and high string guitars, which is tuned naturally higher, and made a purpose of….because the album was so rhythmical and so rhythm-oriented with the drums and percussion, the guitar was a good way to keep that rhythm going and was better suited for a lot of the songs than adding like keyboards, for instance.
Smitty: Yes. Well, this is a great project. My favorite tracks on here, of course, the title track, I love “Capetown,” love that vibe, “Southwest Passage” and “Motherland.” Man…
LR: Oh, “Motherland,” yeah, I get to rock out on that song.
Smitty: Yeah, I know, man. I said “Oh, man, he’s cuttin’ it up.” This is not a CD for the faint of heart. This is a great CD, man. I love it. And I tell you what, “Stone Cool” is really growing on me real well. You know, I could just put this one in and just hit “random” and just let it play.
LR: Oh, great. Thank you.
Smitty: Yes.
LR: Well, I felt very strong about all the tracks and actually recorded more songs than I needed and it was a very inspired project, so that’s always a good sign. Because I’ve done a lot of albums now and you like to think they’re all inspired, but some have that little special asterisk next to it.
Smitty: Yes indeed, and I love the liner notes. Well constructed and you’re dressed to the nines on here, brother! (Both laughing.)
LR: Thank you so much. Yeah, the packaging is nice too, absolutely.
Smitty: Yes indeed. Well, I want to congratulate a few people: Mark Wexler, Andi Howard, Don Murray, Eric Ferguson…you cats really blend real well with this and did a masterful job with this great project.
LR: Yeah, I’ll tell them your thanks.
Smitty: Please do, my friend. Well, now, let’s see, the record is out, right?
LR: Yes, as of August 22nd.
Smitty: August 22nd. Great, because this is one that no one would want to miss.
LR: Oh, thanks so much.
Smitty: Yes indeed. So, now, you’re touring with this record?
LR: Yes, August and September up and down the West Coast, later on in the year in November down to Florida for some shows and then late November/December off to a big Far East tour that takes me all over the place, and more U.S. dates will be added probably in October into November.
Smitty: Hey, man, that’s great to hear, my friend. This is great. I’ve gotta catch you live and catch a show because I wanna hear…
LR: Absolutely.
Smitty: Yes, I wanna hear some of this stuff live. It’s got such a dance vibe too.
LR: Yeah, thank you. Yeah, well, definitely the song….I was at the New York Blue Note for a week in New York and played several of the songs and they play very well live because they’re so up and refreshing.
Smitty: Yes indeed, my friend. Well, Lee, thank you so much for this great record, for your time to talk about this record, and congratulations to your son Wesley and everyone that had a hand in this great project, my friend.
LR: Okay.
Smitty: All right, We’ve kickin’ it with the amazing Mr. Lee Ritenour, his latest new record is in stores now. It’s called Smoke n’ Mirrors and it simply incredible! Lee, thanks again for this great record and please keep making great music, my friend!
LR: Thanks for the great interview. Thanks very much.
Baldwin “Smitty” Smith
For More Information Visit www.leeritenour or www.myspace.com/leeritenour
