Customer Reviews

B'Tween the Earth & My Soul

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was enthralled, electrified and transfixed when I first heard 'My Bonnie' on Public Radio in Boston. I had to have the Album and traced it to her label in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was more than worth the trouble. There is not a bad track on the album. Laura has a pure voice and her own songs are a wonderful fusion of Jazz, Blues and Folk. Her first Album 'Laura Smith', (1989), is a brilliant debut and the track 'Jordy' presages 'My Bonnie'. Laura's third Album,'its a personal thing, (1997), maintains the high standard. Buy all her CDs, Laura Smith is in the first rank as a singer/songwriter.

Do yourself a favour, and listen to this CD. Laura Smith not only has one of the most amazing voices you will ever hear, she is an incredible song writer and performer. This album contains a wide variety of song types, all great in their own right. "Four Letter Word for Lonesome" is a witty commentary on long-distance relationships, "Duine Air Call" (the decription of Adam and Eve from the Gaelic Bible, meaning lost and wondering souls) is lovely, "Gypsy Dream" reminds you "you can ask your own feet to dance". "Whirlaround" is from her earlier song-writing days, and displays her unforgettable voice very well. "My Bonny", perhaps her signature song, will stop you in your tracks, guaranteed! Don't go through life without hearing this woman.

While watching a short segment of the film AGNES BROWNE (2000), I was so mesmerized by a particular song that I made the effort to identify the artist.

Laura Smith's B'TWEEN THE EARTH AND MY SOUL is worth the price even if only for her captivating and breathtaking rendition of "My Bonny". I've listened to it over and over and over again, and have burned that single track onto a CD compilation of personal favorites that I listen to on the chariot's boombox on the way to work.

I'm basically not a "music person", so I consider the other recordings on this disk just so-so. But this one track just reached out, grabbed my soul, and shook it. It's one of the most haunting and beautiful pieces I've heard in many months, and compels me to award four stars overall. The majority of listeners will perhaps award five. OK, so I'm difficult.

On the soundtrack of AGNES BROWNE, the song is listed as "My Bonnie" and is performed by Smith with The Chieftains. It's a toss-up as to which version is better, but that on B'TWEEN THE EARTH AND MY SOUL is 30 seconds longer.

Just listened to this CD for the first (several consecutive) times, and I have to say that I haven't been more pleased with and amazed by a new (to me) artist in longer than I can remember! First heard her "My Bonny..." in the middle of a night on a public radio program... could NOT rest until I figured out who she was, and located this CD! Anyone who has ever enjoyed listening to Joan Armatrading or Rickie Lee Jones will be thrilled to "discover" Laura Smith!

Without doubt, a must have album, Gypsy Dream is unbelievable. Buy two CD,s just to have a spare.

I first heard Ms. Smith on World Cafe and searched the store till I found her CD. After listening to it a few times, I continue to enjoy her original lyrics and songs, and I still hear the same quality or depth I hear in Armatrading or even Tracy Chapman.

It would be redundant of me to offer any more praise, since others have done it so well in previous reviews. Let me just say that I agree with them all. This CD is exceptional, but I encourage you to also check out Ms. Smith's follow up CD - It's A Personal Thing. This is life worn on a sleeve, beautiful, painful, sad and true. "I Didn't Dream" will take your breath away.