Mindy Smith - Long Island Shores

Mindy Smith's 2006 CD is called Long Island Shores. It's released on Vanguard Records. To describe the style of this CD would depend on which track you are listening to. She has a fabulous voice that rings through no matter what she is singing.This CD is a mix of songs that can go from country to folk to rock. The first song on the CD is called "Out Loud." It's written by Mindy Smith and Hillary Lindsay. It's a soft country/folk song that talks about the state of the world today. Not just war or poverty, but how we seem to have lost general, basic respect for one another as people. "Edge Of Love" was written by Mindy Smith and legendary song writer Beth Nielsen Chapman. The song is about just letting go and falling in to love. The fall may be scary, but someone will catch you when You just let go. "Please Stay" is actually a song that Mindy Smith wrote about her dog Sophie. The song is about her dog having the right to choose as to weather she wants to be her dog or not. She said that they found each other in this world, and that was the inspiration to write this song.

"Tennessee" is the song that Mindy says is the best song on the CD. Even though at first, she thought it was kind of "hokey." The song is Mindy reflecting on how Tennessee, and more specifically, Nashville has been good to her, and has become home to her. The title track "Long Island Shores" is Mindy reflecting on the memories of her home in Long Island New York while she is living her life in Tennessee. It's one of my personal favorites on the CD, and could potentially be a great single. The only down side I can find with this CD is that throughout several of the songs, she tends to sing too softly. At times, barely above a whisper. And for as good as the lyrics are, they were really difficult to comprehend at times. To truly enjoy this CD, it's best heard with headphones. Having said that, it is truly a well done CD. The lyrics are more along the lines of poetry put to music. So, if you are more in to the alternative country sound rather than the main stream country sound, you will probably enjoy this CD! Lots of folk guitars, soft mandolins and vocals. The songs are consistently smooth and very easy to listen to throughout the entire CD. It's produced by Mindy Smith, Les Price and Steve Buckingham.