Elliot Smith Lives On

If you've never heard of Elliot Smith or his music, you are missing out on a person who once was an extremely talented artist. I recently discovered him today, through his upcoming tribute 2-disc album being advertised on MySpace Music's feature profile, due to release 5/8/2007. I am hooked. His music is a wonderment and truly inspiring with crisp lyrics, and a rhythm to touch anyone's soul. Here is a bit of history about Elliot Smith, who tragically we have lost, but his memory will live on forever in his inspiring music.

Elliot Smith, the late singer and song writer of California died Tuesday October 21, 2003. He was 34 years old.

Elliot Smith was born in Nebraska. He inherited his talent from, and grew up with his musically talented mother who was a singer. Later, during his high school days he took residence with his psychiatrist father in Oregon.

Elliot Smith began his establishment as a musician by the mere age of 13, playing the piano and guitar. After graduating from Hampshire College - Amherest, Massachusetts, he signed up in a punk band named Heatmiser but continued to work on several solo albums which he released during that time. Later, he relocated to New York in 1997.

Coronary records as released in 2003 and reported by the Associated Press regarding Elliot Smith's death depicted a single, self-inflicted stab wound to the chest. His body was discovered by his girl friend in his home.

Tuesday, on May 8^th, 2007 almost four years later, a tributary 2-disc album composed by Elliot Smith of his most intricate and inspiring songs is being released by Kill Rock Records.

Prior to Elliot Smith's death, he had put out five different solo albums; "Roman Candle" (1994), "Elliot Smith" (1995), "Either/Or" (1997), "XO" (1998), and "Figure 8" (2000). One of his single works, "Miss Misery," which was off the album "Either/Or," was nominated for an Oscar in 1998 for it's use in the movie "Good Will Hunting," by Gus Van Sant. This huge promotion for Elliot Smith was also what put him into the mainstream music scene.

Elliot Smith's critics and fans alike compared his lyrical symphony and astounding acoustic sound with artists such as the Beatles (who were his all-time favorite band).

Smith was an amazing artist, "arguably the most gifted song writer of his time," and his fantastic and inspiring music will live on through music lovers everywhere.

All factual information on Elliot was taken from his MySpace page, which you can visit to listen to 24 of his nothing less than amazing works, viewed here:

http://www.myspace.com/elliottsmithnewmoon

Other factual information concerning his death and history were recounted from a CNN report, written by the Associated Press on Wednesday Oct. 22^nd, 2003, which can be viewed here (all rights reserved to CNN and the AP):

http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/22/obit.elliott.smith.ap/