Erica Smith's debut CD from 2001 is a folk music gem that hearkens back to the folk era of the early 1960s when Bob Dylan, Eric Von Schmidt & Peter, Paul & Mary did gigs at coffeehouses. Although other musicians guest on the disc, it is predominately Erica's guitar and unadorned voice singing songs in a traditional folk style. She sings Greg Brown's "Driftless" with a forlorn wistfulness that brings out the beauty of the simple melody and lovely lyric, "Let us cry all of our tears, cry them all out now; Let them flow down & clean all the rivers; And the evening sky is the reason why I'm going driftless." Rebecca Hall's "Come Around" sparkles with Smith's tender touch. "No More, My Lord" is a gospel tune with Alison Kelley on harmonies in a vocal rendering of spiritual dedication to doing the will of God. Erica wrote "Love You All the Way," a sweet melody & lyric that articulates romantic devotion. The CD concludes with Gillian Welch & David Rawling's "By the Mark." With only eight tracks, this independent recording is short & sweet. It is well worth exploring for fans of the traditional folk sound. Enjoy!
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I enjoyed Erica's first short album, when I bought it to help 911 survivors. What I appreciate so much about Erica is her perfect voice. She sounds fabulous acoustic and acapello. Thank goodness she shares this talent in her albums - bravo! Also, she's a fine songwriter and I would appreciate hearing more songs she has written. Either way, she does any song optimum justice, thank you Erica!
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New York singer and guitarist Erica Smith's first release is honest and intimate, an understated homage to the traditional folksongs and contemporary songwriters she loves. The sound is spare and effective, just Smith's voice and guitar with an occasional backing vocal or instrumental line, creating a bittersweet, reflective mood. A promising debut.
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 . . . Two of the stars of the Erica Smith show: One, her beautiful rich clear voice, which evokes thoughts of Joan Baez and Judy Collins, with a side order of Sandy Denny. Two, Erica's penchant for digging into the traditional songbook and presenting them to us like a world weary traveler displaying precious souvenirs acquired on a long journey.
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