... Back in April 2004, "Come To Jesus" was played as a prelude to the release of an album called "One Moment More" by an unknown American singer-songwriter called Mindy Smith. My first reaction was "wow!", my second was to hit the Internet and find out a little more about her.
This album was ... Read review
While the hype machine forever proclaims this or that new artist to be "unique," ... more
"original," or "a fresh new voice," most of the time what you hear is more of the same old, same old. Thus, it is a rare joy to hear a newcomer that actually qualifies as ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
While the hype machine forever proclaims this or that new artist to be "unique," ... more
"original," or "a fresh new voice," most of the time what you hear is more of the same old, same old. Thus, it is a rare joy to hear a newcomer that actually qualifies as ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
While the hype machine forever proclaims this or that new artist to be "unique," ... more
"original," or "a fresh new voice," most of the time what you hear is more of the same old, same old. Thus, it is a rare joy to hear a newcomer that actually qualifies as ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: An excellent debut album Disadvantages: None I know of
...singing along with after only one listen through.
"Raggedy Ann" goes back to more traditional roots fare, although her strong and distinctive voice continues to shine. Since it's a ballad it's obviously slower-paced but doesn't suffer at all - Mindy is equally at home with this tempo and the faster-paced songs.
And my personal favourite track on the album? "It's Amazing", the title of which describes ... ...
Whilst there are one or two slightly weaker songs on the album, they don't necessarily detract from the whole - and as a debut, this release can't really be faulted. If you're a fan of acoustic, Americana, alt-country or all three, you're seriously missing out if you don't have this in your collection.
Check out also the cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" - and the CD-ROM on the CD, which features the video to this ... more
No doubt Mindy Smith will be unknown to virtually everyone reading this review, but if you've reached this far, you're clearly interested in listening to music that, while not necessarily mainstream, is just as good and if not better than much of the million-sellers presently charting.
I 'discovered' Mindy's music (like many of the artists whose music I have fell in love with recently) via both the Bob Harris Thursday Show and Saturday Show on Radio 2 in the UK - he plays plenty of tracks by artists that have yet to breakthrough into the UK consciousness. Back in April 2004, "Come To Jesus" was played as a prelude to the release of an album called "One Moment More" by an unknown American singer-songwriter called Mindy Smith. My first reaction was "wow!", my second was to hit the Internet and find out a little more about her.
This album was released in November 2004 and sounds as good today as it did when I acquired it back then. It's not surprising to learn that Mindy was adopted by a pastor and his wife - she's obviously grown up with religion making up a big part of her life and that is echoed through her music, but not so as to hit you, the dear listener, over the head with it.
"Come to Jesus" is the first track on the album and possibly the best known of her material - it's had at least five airings on Bob's shows to date which is pretty good for a relatively obscure artist. Her music is a fusion of various styles - country, Americana, traditional roots and bluegrass, mixed up and occasionally given a more rock-influenced tinge - which is why you'll find this album and others like it given the 'alt-country' label in many places. "Come to Jesus" works in many ways: it kicks off slowly with just an acoustic guitar and Mindy's clear, crystal and almost breathy vocals. The song ramps up a little and benefits from a much more rock-influenced mid-section, making it worthwhile as an ordinary song or as a Christian anthem - you don't need to be seeking religion to enjoy this song.
Examples of some of the other songs on the album:
"Falling" is a prime example of just why Mindy should be more successful than she is - understated backing gives her gorgeous vocals prominence here, they're beautifully sung with just a simple accompaniment that adds rather than tries to compete with her. An immediately accessible song that you'll end up singing along with after only one listen through.
"Raggedy Ann" goes back to more traditional roots fare, although her strong and distinctive voice continues to shine. Since it's a ballad it's obviously slower-paced but doesn't suffer at all - Mindy is equally at home with this tempo and the faster-paced songs.
And my personal favourite track on the album? "It's Amazing", the title of which describes the song down to a 'T'. Almost angelic vocals, simple yet wholeheartedly lyrics, a very catchy chorus that sucks you in straight away and simple yet effective backing - what more do you want?
Whilst there are one or two slightly weaker songs on the album, they don't necessarily detract from the whole - and as a debut, this release can't really be faulted. If you're a fan of acoustic, Americana, alt-country or all three, you're seriously missing out if you don't have this in your collection.
Check out also the cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" - and the CD-ROM on the CD, which features the video to this track, complete with cameo appearance from Dolly. The CD-ROM also has a screensaver and photos of Mindy.
Mindy's second album has already been released and is called "Long Island Shores" - I haven't heard it yet but if it's half as good as her debut, it will be worth buying.
Advantages: Really lovely voice Disadvantages: Her only album
...with Dolly's vocal harmony) and One Moment More a beautifully sung and touching song. A few of the tracks were slightly weaker than others in that they were a bit repetative but overall a very pleasing album. I really recommend this as she has real talent and is virtually unknown in Britain. A real gem. ...
billyboredpants 11.02.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of One More Moment - Mindy Smith
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it rate alongs...
Value for Money
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "One More Moment - Mindy Smith"
Advantages: There's nothing really not to like here Disadvantages: A couple of weaker tracks but nothing to really detract from the album
much else to admire and like here.
Track listing is as follows:
1. Closer To Myself
2. Supermodels
3. Wonderland
4. Hollywood
5. Honest
6. The Second Day
7. It's Not The Time
8. On My Bones
9. Modern Day Moses
10. Perfect By Thursday
11. Formerly Known As
12. Never Leave
13. Fatherless At 14
A decent amount of music on offer on a debut album, so what's in store for the prospective purchaser? She's clearly got a spiritual side and Jesus is the last person she thanks in the credits, although like MindySmith's "OneMomentMore", she doesn't hit you over the head with religion, but if you look close enough, it's there - though not enough to warrant dismissing the album out of hand since it stands up quite well without the religious trappings being apparent.
"Closer To Myself" seems to have been a single: it certainly ...
Product Information for "One More Moment - Mindy Smith" »
Product details
Title
One More Moment
Performer
Mindy Smith
Genre
Country
Release Date
02/02/2004
Recomended Retail Price
16.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2004
Label / Distributor
Vanguard / Proper
Producer
Steve Buckingham; Mindy Smith
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
15707973625
Additional notes
Album Notes
Personnel includes: Mindy Smith (vocals); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); Steve Buckingham, Will Kimbrough, Kenny Vaughan (electric guitar); Dan Dugmore (lap steel guitar); Lex Price (mandolin); John Deaderick (piano); Matt Rollings (Hammond B-3 organ); David Jacques, Viktor Krauss, Glenn Worf (bass); Shannon Forrest, Paul Griffith (drums); Micol Davis (tambourine); Dolly Parton (background vocals). On this debut album, Mindy Smith reveals herself as an extraordinary vocalist and songwriter who seems wise beyond her years. Her smooth, clear pipes often recall Allison Krauss, but with a more urbane bent reminiscent of Shawn Colvin or Christopher Cross. Smith's tunes showcase her voice perfectly, addressing basic themes of love, faith, regret, and hope in a gentle, mature, and thoughtful way. The first track, "Come to Jesus," pulls the rare trick of being inspiring and passionate without pushing the singer's religious convictions down the listener's throat. Throughout, the music is framed with subtle, rootsy accompaniment that lets the songs ebb and flow in a wonderfully organic manner. Full of heart and soul, ONE MOMENT MORE is a particularly auspicious introduction to an unusually talented artist.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (2/5/04, p.58) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Smith's voice is marvelous....[She] borrows a page from [singers Patty Griffin and Gillian Welch] and synthesizes them into a pretty package..." Entertainment Weekly (1/23/04, p.100) - "In a bold, wistful alto that recalls Alison Krauss and Patty Griffin, Smith offers rocking folk gospel, understated studies of insecurity and loss, and pacifying pleas for faith." - Rating: B+ Q (4/04, p.120) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[V]ocally there's a touch of Alison Krauss about her, with just a hint of Patty Griffin....There's still sufficient freshness and individuality here to constitute a highly accomplished start." Mojo (4/04, p.108) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[T]he mostly low-key, self-penned songs are shot through with spirituality and sadness....It's a very good, very real music."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Come To Jesus
2.
Falling
3.
Raggedy Ann
4.
Fighting For It All
5.
Train Song
6.
It's Amazing
7.
Angel Doves
8.
Down In Flames
9.
Hurricane
10.
Hard To Know
11.
One Moment More
12.
Jolene (bonus track featuring Dolly Parton)
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
11/02/2006
Compare One More Moment - Mindy Smith to other similar Folk & Country »
Similar products and search queries by other users »
One Smith, One More Smith, One Moment Smith, One Mindy Smith, One More Moment Smith, One More Mindy Smith, One Moment Mindy Smith, One More Moment Mindy Smith
Are you the manufacturer / provider of One More Moment - Mindy Smith? Click here