Mindy Smith - One Moment More and Various Artists - The Songs of Dolly Parton

The first time I heard Mindy Smith was on a country music television channel and I looked up from what I was doing to see who was doing this amazing version of Jolene the Dolly Parton classic. Let's face it, the song has been recorded by many but can anyone remember a version better than Dolly's? I won't say Mindy's is better but it is a powerful rendition and certainly one that caught the attention of people all over the world.

The song was part of an album called Just Because I'm A Woman- The Songs of Dolly Parton. On this collection some of the finest women singers in the world gather to pay homage to Dolly with their own slant on her songs.

These versions are imaginative and even fun with Alison Krauss taking on the pop mantle for 9 to 5 from the cheesy but fun comedy of the same name. Norah Jones weighs in with The Grass is Blue the title track from a more recent Dolly album. There are performances from Joan Osborne, Shania Twain and Emmylou Harris among others. There is even a track by Sinead O'Connor who, despite a desire not to be famous any more seems to be getting as much press as ever.

Dolly herself sings the title track. I feel for Melissa Etheridge though who takes on the task of trying to breathe life into what for me was one of Dolly's best songs until Whitney Houston murdered it a few years back. Melissa thankfully saves the day and I Will Always Love You is born again.

Mindy herself is about to release her first solo album titled One Moment More. The album is due for release on January 27th and is a very accomplished and mature start to what is sure to be a long recording career.

Mindy hails from New York but moved to Nashville in 1998 and after a few years playing in the clubs there she has earned the respect of the important people in the industry.
There is a lot of buzz about her and also about the forthcoming album in the music world right now.
Dolly Parton has already said of her that she is destined to leave her mark as one of our greatest writers and singers ever. With press like that you are off to a good start and with a beautiful album of strong and sweet songs to back it up the way ahead is looking good.

The album is beautifully produced and features great players like Bryan Sutton leading Mindy through her repetoire. This is one for any good music collection. .

Just Because I'm a Woman is available now on Sugarhill Records and One Moment More will be released on January 27 th on Vanguard.