Andrew Smith lives on the shores of Lake Taupo these days and doesn't get accosted by autograph hunters anymore. But there was a time when he headlined huge concerts with his band the Marksmen in the '60s.

Then he dropped out of the music scene amid many rumours, and it wasn't until he made an impromptu performance at the world shooting champs in 1991 that his musical passion was reignited.

His old material, as well as newer works, have just been packaged as a double CD, Then and Now, through Jasmine Records, and a number of tracks were made with his son, Taranaki musician Rob Smith.

Son Rob says his father was one of the proteges of pop music cult figure Joe Meek, and a fine singer of contemporary country ballads.

"Dad lived in Taranaki for a long time, and I knew people would be interested to know that he had a CD out. It was funny how it came about. [Musician] Richard Anderson and I met up and were setting up websites for my own solo music, and we dug up a lot of info on Dad," Smith says.

"Richard set up a website for my dad, and people just started contacting us. That's when the deal came through with Jasmine Records."

Smith says the British-based label is renowned for releasing older material, but it has been interested in his father's newer songs, too.

It was Meek who chose the song Only the Heartaches for Houston Wells, and it made him a household name.

In a bid to meet the public's demand for new, recorded product, Meek had Wells and other artists record numerous tracks, moving them on to other songs with the promise that he would finish them off later. It was not always to Wells' satisfaction.

"Meek was renowned for speeding tracks up, and my dad was no exception. His voice always sounded higher than it should be, so on this latest CD, we have slowed down the speed to get a better rendition of his voice," says Smith.

"Meek really was the pioneer of reverb and echo. He used to record with a microphone set up under an upturned metal bath to give it that reverb sound real old technology. Lots of people call him a genius."

Meek isn't the only legendary musical figure Wells knew.

"He was connected with the Outlaws," Smith says. "He had this backing band and there was this guy Dad would refer to as Ricky. He was just a young guitarist starting out. It turned out to be Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple."

The second CD on Then and Now features songs that have been arranged and engineered by Smith, and Wells' son has also contributed heavily to the instrumentation and harmonies.

"When we did a lot of the songs, we had no real plans for them, but they have been put to good use now."

The CD is available at Raw Records.

As a songwriter Rob takes the listener on an journey that captures emotions that we all live from day to day, its this honesty with his lyrics and sincerity with his vocal delivery that really makes his music both compelling and inspiring.

Rob's music is heavily influenced by Bryan Adams, although vocally there are not really too many similarities (afterall Rob is a P.O.M. living in New Zealand, I guess he has been here long enough to almost accept him as a Kiwi).

Its the simple things that count, love and frustration and all facets of them that drive Rob's songs lyrically. As a lyricist myself I can well appreciate the knack that Rob has for the craft, to keep it simple without being overbearing (or weird) is something that Rob has well achieved with this batch of songs.

If my comments come across as overly positive, that is because these songs are so bloody good !

One Heart (Immigration Song)

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

If you were ever looking for a song born out of the love for one's sibling, then this might just be the complete soundtrack you would need. Born out of the frustration of Rob's brother not being let to live in New Zealand permanently, this song conjurs up the emotions of love, respect and sadness. "One Heart" is a song that Rob has obviously put a lot of time and effort into getting the recording just right, which he achieves. In some way's this song reminds me of Graham Brazier (Hello Sailor) its that good.

Emerald Isle

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

You have to know a wee bit of history to know what this song is about, Rob's father having been successful in Ireland with his music (apparently). My take on this song is that this is Rob putting himself into his fathers mind, which obviously would see him missing living in Ireland. A beautiful tribute to ones parent.

Lately

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

I think of Jack Johnson or Ben Harper when I hear the guitars on this track, however vocally and lyrically Rob offers up a more melodic sort of twist. This is a nice acoustic pop-rock number.

Le Merci

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

A nod goes out to Carlos Santana on this track, Rob and I spoke and came to the conclusion that Carlos has never changed the way he plays but what he does works, as does this track.

Mary Doesn't Need Tomorrow

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

This song is a classic case of Rob's ability to take certain things from real life and bring them out to really touch the listener.

Lost Without Your Love

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

Another beautifully crafted song, I really like the use of the strings. You can see the Bryan Adams influence in the vocal delivery. This is delivered up very sweetly, Rob leaves you hanging on his every word....its lyrically honest, which is rare for a man in todays musical climate.

It's Over

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

This song sits there comfortably along with the likes of "Lately", a song all about a real life situation. A simple tune with a lot of atmosphere to it, thanks to the use of a few keys.

The Memory Of Us

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

Here's a tune that really asks the listener to "please turn it up a bit louder". An 80's style rocker, with a catchy hook and nicely layered guitars. Vocally Rob kind of reminds me of Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy) when he screams a bit, and yes folks that is indeed a great thing. I look forward to hearing more songs in this style in the future.

Let Me Out

from "Picking Up The Pieces: The Rock Album"

We keep up the rocker sound with this song. I have just managed to put a handle on who Rob actually reminds me of as a singer (well kind of anyway), former Split Enz frontman Tim Finn, but with a sort of rockier edge if you will. Oh yes I am now just confusing you the reader. Just turn this bloody song up and enjoy the groove, which i think reminds me in so many ways of Van Halen (except we have none of that stupid David Lee Roth screaming/impro crap here). I can relate well to the lyric, especially the first verse.

Fame Game

from "Destiny"

I really like the drive behind this song, its got a nice and effective grunt behind it. It seems obvious to me that Rob listens to a lot of different styles of music, for you get the usual rock influences. But theres also tinges of other styles flowing through. This song has probably one of Rob's best guitar solo's on it.

Destiny

from "Destiny"

Things slow down a bit, and this is where Rob DEFINITELY sounds like his idol Bryan Adams, in what I would term as a beautiful ballad with enough grunt to it to not come off as wimpy.

The Time Of Your Life

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

The acoustic guitars are back on this track. A nice enough look at life and how short it is. I really like the way that the backing vocal blends into this song, which I rate as a favourite because of its simplicity and a lyric that I can well relate to. These are songs that we can all in some way compare to occasions in our own lives. Rob assures me that the backing vocal is in fact himself and not some woman or Bryan Adams as I had thought (That was a ploy to make me feel stupid wasnt it ???).

My Sanity

from "Actions Speak Louder Than Words"

A bit darker in lyrical content than some songs on this cd, this song deals with someone discovering that not everyone is perfect (and a whole lot more). The hook is very melodic and quite catchy, with a hint of a Pink Floyd-type influence. Add in a nice touch with the keys.

We Won't Be Forgotten

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

Clocking in at over 7 minutes, this song sweeps you up in its rhythm from the get-go and never releases you. Its all very hypnotic without being a burden to listen to. Interestingly Rob lists in his biography that Chris Issac's "Wicked Game" is his favourite song, this in some ways is his spin on that sort of sound, very well done.

Fall So Far

from "Be Careful What You Wish For"

Echoes of Steve Perry (Journey), Rod Stewart or Joe Cocker shine through in Rob's vocal delivery, he really changes his voice to suit the lyric. The lyric is somewhat sweet, definitely a song that you can play for your woman and she will thank you for it (if she's into you in the first place, dont take my word for it, this isnt a relationship counselling session !). Beautifully layered vocals and keys are features of this song, along with an honest lyric. I thought that this would make a good song for a charity single where lots of singers get to sing a couple of lines each.

Another Lonely Heart

from "Destiny"

The CD closer, we end as we begin...taken on a journey to a distant place where your only true friend is really yourself (if you are indeed even that lucky).