Quiet Town
Giant Leap, 2024
9/10
The Nashville artist Mindy Smith returns with her 1st album in over a decade and 6th overall, and it surrounds strength, peace and self-love with a strong sense of melody.
The intimate and elegant title track starts with Smith’s pretty voice alongside Juan Solorzano’s warm acoustic guitar and Danny Mitchell’s sophisticated keys, and “Jacob’s Ladder” follows with Lex Price’s well timed bass and Jodi Seyfried’s backing vocals making for sublime harmonics.
In the middle, “I’d Rather Be A Bridge” is populated by Will Kimbrough and Megan McCormick’s electric guitars that add much to the ambience and dreaminess, while “Peace Eludes Me” places Solorzano on pedal steel amid the poetic singing and emotional presence.
Further yet, “Hour Of My Departure” welcomes Daniel Tashian’s lush voice via the breezy climate of the album’s best and “I Always Will” exits with Neilson Hubbard’s light drums that suit the soft singing of the touching and soothing finish.
A fantastic return, Smith’s ability to address vulnerability and gratitude makes for a wise, thoughtful and even enlightening 11 songs that have the ability to stir the soul.
Travels well with: Peggy Lee- Norma Deloris Egstrom From Jamestown, North Dakota; Violet Bell- Honey In My Heart