I was thrilled to be part of a celebration of the songs of Michael Smith, one of the brightest jewels in Chicago's crown of artists.

Mark Guarino has curated this celebration for two years in a row. At SPACE in Evanston this year, many of his best loved songs, like "I Brought My Father With Me," "Sister Clarissa," and "Last Day of Pompeii" were played.

I chose his song "Accokeek," and built an arrangement that is a cross between the riff Michael played on the guitar and the production he gave it on his album "Old Man Dancing."

Care to hear it? Click on the picture below for yesterday's performance. We all have our fingers crossed that this will become an annual tradition.