Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When you start a recording career with a hit which comes to be recognised as a stone classic it must be difficult to sustain a recording career on the same level. And though this compilation doesn't have anything else quite as breathtaking as Mindy's "Come To Jesus" hit of 2004 it does demonstrate that the singer/songwriter is an exceptional talent with a truly haunting voice. The 13 tracks here emanate from Mindy's three Vanguard albums, 2004's 'One More Moment', 2006's 'Long Island Shores' and 2009's 'Stupid Love'. As well as "Come To Jesus", there are some other fine tracks here, like the poignant "Tennessee", Smith's sinuous cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Little Lies" (previously only available as an iTunes bonus track) and the painfully sad farewell to her deceased mother, "One More Moment". Some years back Cross Rhythms writer Mike Rimmer suggested that Mindy Smith might do for country what Norah Jones did for jazz, and introduce a mass audience to a music previously unknown to them. Here's hoping this compilation of folk-tinged country songs of pain, hope and transcendence gets into the hands of many who've previously dismissed country as being maudlin sentimentality. For Mindy's music is in fact art which millions could and should immerse themselves in.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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