Mindy Smith – My Holiday CD

From Mindy Smith comes My Holiday, a singer-songwriter, folk and pop album on Vanguard Records. This is the CD edition. This edition was released on November 6, 2007.

Adult contemporary-folk artist Mindy Smith releases her first ever Christmas album! This 11 song collection that features six original tunes written and co-written by Mindy. Featuring guest vocals by Alison Krauss. The young country chanteuse offers a homespun holiday on a collection that mixes acoustic intimacy with supper-club sophistication. Though the title track isn't likely to rank with the standards, other originals, such as "Santa Will Find You" and the testament of faith, "Follow the Shepherd Home," rank with Smith's best. Acoustic guitar gives way to jazzier arrangements as she addresses standards, such as "The Christmas Song" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve," while steel guitar highlights "Silver Bells." "I'll Be Home for Christmas" has more of a rock rhythm than usual, and the closing "Come Around" sounds Beatlesque in its guitar and harmonies. "Away in a Manger? benefits from Smith's vocal blend with Alison Krauss, with Thad Cockrell contributing a duet vocal on "I Know the Reason." Like chestnuts roasting on an open fire, there's a breathy warmth to Smith's vocals throughout. --Don McLeese