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Cover of Big Smile Tour

Album · 2022

Big Smile Tour

by Max Solano

The feel-good veteran's victory lap: doors left open, jackets lent, ferries crossed and a crowd clapping along.

Tracks

  1. 1. Rush Hour Rhythm SectionHorns on a crowded avenue, everyone with somewhere to go. It's the opener, and it sets the whole tour in motion.latin pop, salsa-pop, feel-good pop2:32
  2. 2. Your Jacket Fits the WeatherWind down the avenue, I forgot my coat, and you laughed and wrapped me in a note. The single, and the one with the biggest singalong.latin pop, handclap pop, soul-pop2:54
  3. 3. Cross the Water With MeMorning on the ferry with two warm coffees and one empty chair. I wrote it on the water, and the groove rocks like the boat.latin pop, tropical pop, driving pop3:11
  4. 4. Room Nine, Door Wide OpenA little desert motel and a pool without water, and I'm still smiling. The most confident groove I've ever put on tape.latin pop, smooth pop, salsa-pop2:19
  5. 5. Sidewalk Sparkle, Just BecauseSidewalk sparkle and no reason at all to be this happy. I never explain this one on stage, I just clap.dance-pop, handclap pop, feel-good pop2:30
  6. 6. Half Your UmbrellaRain on the corner of Main and half an umbrella is plenty. A dreamy one, with horns that feel like drizzle.pop, dreamy pop, romantic pop2:56
  7. 7. Knock Again, Door Still OpenI walked away one rainy day, and now I'm knocking again. The door is still open, and so is the chorus.pop, cosy pop, hopeful pop3:08
  8. 8. Kettle On, Door OpenHeard your voice on the telephone, so I put the kettle on. The warmest soul moment on the whole tour.soul-pop, cosy soul2:37
  9. 9. Signed My Shirt, Signed My SleeveLast bell, markers out, and everyone signing wings. I sang it for every friend whose handwriting is still on my sleeve.soul-pop, nostalgic soul2:51
  10. 10. Promise Kept, Porch Light OnYou said keep the porch light on, so I did, every night. It's the closer, and the crowd hums the last chorus back to me.soul-pop, hushed soul, romantic soul2:11

Liner notes

After a year on the road I knew exactly what I wanted: a record that sounds like a room full of people smiling. Big Smile Tour is warm tenor, full brass, handclaps up front, and songs about coming home, lending a jacket and leaving the porch light on. Every night I teach the crowd the clap before the first song, so I put that moment on the record too, just in the spirit of the thing.

Max Solano