Mindy Smith - One Moment More.

[Adey]

Al, what if anything can you tell me about this 'new' US (New Yorker) artist? Are you familiar with her?

A friend played me 3 tracks from what I think is her debut album. I think she's fantastic, and I don't usually 'do' country music as a rule.

If you've not heard her, check out some samples on Amazon, particularly a track called "Come to Jesus" . I must confess to being quite excited about this woman.

[Al Truest]

Sorry Adey, I almost passed this over. Better than the Amazon link is audio and video of the entire song and more here:

www.mindysmith.net/

I'm not a big fan of country music either; but you are right, she has a beutiful voice with substantial charisma. She was from New York, but has been living in my hometown of Nashville for about 5 years.

[Adey]

Thanks Al. I'm going to see her in Birmingham (UK) at the end of this month, so I'll have a better idea of her after that.

If anyone hasn't heard Mindy Smith, look out for her - even if like me, you are not a Country/Western music fan. Her debut album released this year is "One Moment More"

Here she is:



Hey RT, I think this lady would be right up your street! Give her a listen if you get the chance.

[Adey]

I saw Mindy Smith on Thursday night, at a very intimate tiny little venue. The show was sold out - about 250 people I guess.

After her show I had no doubts. She is the real deal.

Mindy played an acoustic guitar (and very well too) accompanied only by a virtuoso mandolin player called Lex - he's on the album. Her 75 minute set was played with a rare intensity and controlled power. The material was on the other side of melancholy, quite dark in places - but represented undeniably marvellous, honest song writing. Her voice is great and there were no gimmicks - just a bravura demonstration of huge talent. Watching her gave me the oddest sensation of deja vu. Afterwards I realised that she had put me in mind of another UK debut solo show I once saw, another American female singer/songwriter, called Tori Amos (you might have heard of her!) She has much of the same intensity and apparent despair.. She performed one cover, a cracking version of Jolene, which is one of the few C/W numbers I actually like.

I know she is currently being marketed as a Country & Western Artist, much loved by Dolly Parton apparently, and it is true that much of her debut album is in that style. She plays some mean jazz stylee torch songs too, and I actually think that she is more of an all-rounder rather than another Emmylou Harris. Sign of the times, C/W seems to be the only way to launch/market a 38yr old female performer - quite sad really. Her low key performance style ("Hi, my name's Mindy..") seems to confirm her self depreciating description of herself as a songwriter first and performer second.

The evening was a rare treat, even though she was pi**ed about the noisy air conditioning (I don't blame her) and didn't come out for an encore.

I look forward to seeing Mindy become a major force in the female singer/songwriter genre.

[Adey]

Adey said:

I look forward to seeing Mindy become a major force in the female singer/songwriter genre.

I also look forward to seeing Kate release the album - maybe then I can get Mindy out of my damn CD player..