Jan Smith
Tin Heart
© 2002 Honey Bird Music (783707592923)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
A folk/country collection of memorable, evocative songs by Louisville native Jan Smith.
tracks
- 1 Your Mamma Don't Care
- 2 Gorham Mountain
- 3 Tin Heart
- 4 Ionesco's Chair
- 5 Dalmation
- 6 Rum in My Morning Coffee
- 7 Dime on the Floor
- 8 Every Dish in the House
- 9 All Around This Town
- 10 Motion
- 11 Fishermen
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Album reviews:
... Smith's deceptively simple tunes sparkle with freshness and originality ... arrangements ... expand and contract around the vocal in a way that sounds natural and organic, while the lyrics paint poignant pictures of Americana ranging from liquor stores and open highways to wild mountain blueberry patches and stars in the Arizona sky. But it's Smith's delivery that's the real jewel on this album - pick it up now and say you knew her when.
Performing Songwriter magazine, December 2004
Top 12 DIY Picks
Tin Heart is a thoroughly enjoyable mix of country, folk, and bluegrass that showcases (Smith's) strong and considerable songwriting skills . . . (her) words force you to pay attention . . . Smith squeezes every bit of lonesome and hurt out of [a song's] sadness . . . seek out this promising debut. No Depression, November-December 2003.
Tin Heart is an album worthy of comparison with anything Rounder or Sugar Hill are putting out right now. It's that good. Jefferson Hemmings, 9X Magazine, Plan 9 record stores
One of the best acoustic releases of the past ten years.
Bruce Bergethon, DJ and General Manager, WGLT, Normal, IL
... an effortlessly catchy collection featuring eleven self-penned country/bluegrass originals and one sweet voice . . . Armed with some fine songs and a great band, she demonstrates ... how sometimes the simple and straightforward can be the most effective on an accomplished debut. Americana-uk.com June 2003
A gem of a debut . . . Smith's good melodic sense keeps her to paths familiar but previously untrod. From the winsome "Your Moma Don't Care" to the elegiac title cut, there's a wealth of good songwriting, the kind of in-the-moment storytelling that can make a CD a trusted friend . . . In a world of CDs with only one or two strong cuts this release stands out because nearly everything on it won't let go. Smith is truly her own singer/songwriter and that's the best compliment there is. Anybody comes out the gate this fast gets the "rare & recommended" rating. James McSweeney, www.flyinshoes.fsnet.co.uk
Nicely played, nicely executed technically, Tin Heart is a fine intro to a fine songsmith. MT, Sing Out! Magazine Fall 2003
Five Stars: Jan Smith has a voice that is smooth and full of passion. What a talented young lady. She has just produced and performed on one of the best folk releases we have received here at Roots Music Report in quite a while. The Tin Heart album is simply a magnificent release. Music so simple yet so good! Roots Music Report, September 2003.
There is a lot to be said for simplicity, sincerity, and craft. Indeed, that's enough. I find myself playing Jan Smith's clean, beautifully made country/bluegrass/folk over and over now, and when I don't have it on, I can suddenly find myself yearning for its purity and truth. Crispin Sartwell, country music critic and syndicated columnist, www.crispinsartwell.com
Jan Smith's "Tin Heart" is an amazing debut CD from an insightful singer-songwriter . . . This is the mark of a rising star in acoustic music -- someone who has the energy of youth and talent to spare, but with an eye for subjects that make outstanding songs. Wanda Fischer, WAMC, Albany, NY
Beautiful vocals, real down to the bone take no prisoners lyrics. Great talent and production. cdstreet.com reviewer
The group has a full, rootsy sound . . . All the band members are accomplished instrumentalists, and Smith's breathy, relaxed vocals are just icing on the cake . . . Some highlights were Your Mama Don't Care, a slab of down-home pop . . . and the soft acoustic-pop song that gets stuck in my head for days, Ionesco's Chair. . . Mark Grabowski, the Hook, Feb. 6, 2003
A mixture of bluegrass, traditional country, and folk with a discerning pop ear, Smith's songs would be equally at home on a major motion picture soundtrack as in a Nashville club ... Tin Heart is an incredibly well-balanced effort. The Cville Weekly, Oct. 24, 2002
Less than thirty seconds into the song "Gorham Mountain" the phone lines started lighting up. The response was understandable. On my first listen to Jan Smith's independent release, Tin Heart, I was taken with "Gorham Mountain." But I was also taken with the other ten songs that appear on this gem of a CD. Tin Heart . . . offers an impressive batch of finely crafted songs. It's all there: evocative songwriting, impressive backing musicians, and quality production . . . Jan Smith deserves to be heard. Tom Flynn, Host, "Saltwater Farm", WMPG, Portland, Maine
What a refreshing new sound. Tin Heart is truly an invigorating listening experience. The Jan Smith Band conveys their musical heritage of country, bluegrass, and folk music with poignant lyrics and superb musical compositions. Bill Wright, Americana Music Director, 90.7 FM WUVT, Blacksburg, VA
This is superb music! Jan has a pure voice and is a very talented songwriter. Backed up by great instrumentals. Kelly Callaghan, Program Director of KNOT, Prescott, AZ
Jan's silken voice caresses each and every word, your ears and heart. You'll be hearing more from her. Les Reynolds, Indie-music.com
Jan Smith's songwriting skills make her music both compelling and enjoyable. Ralph Graves, 2002 Top 9 Lists, 9X Magazine, Plan 9 record stores, VA
Her words vacillate from heart-on-the-sleeve confessions to clever imagery-just when you get ... lost in the music, a quick line or phrase makes you sit up and really listen. The Hook, Oct. 22, 2002
Jan's songwriting is really wonderful-simultaneously classic and fresh, which is some trick. Her voice is throaty and clear, the songs are beautifully melodic, the instrumental arrangements are simple and effective, and there's simply not a better album to listen to if you're an intelligent person who's ever been broken-hearted. Modern Mark, KCSU, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
She is a remarkable songwriter with engaging lyrics like, "falling in love is neither brave nor original, and I do it badly each time." And, "so I write a long plaintive letter...the ink stains the page where I cry." All the songs on the CD are made up of solid song writing abilities backed up by a cast of wonderful musicians." Patricia Henry, WRCK Radio, Louisville, Kentucky
Just wanted to let you know that you have been in heavy rotation on my show since March. Your CD is wonderful (I especially like Tin Heart and Dime on the Floor), and I wish you the success you deserve in this crazy old acoustic world. Bruce Bergethon, general manager, WGLT, Normal, Illinois
A staple of the acoustic scene, Jan Smith produced what was for me the highlight of the evening . . . Her crisp, varnished voice alternately drifted and soared above the delicate picking and understatedly strummed chords that belied the arrangement's more complicated nature . . . Smith has a gift, one she has doubtless always had. Matthew Hirst, Cville Weekly, September 9, 2003.
If you have not heard Jan, check her out!"
Ron Olesko, WFDU-FM: Traditions, Teaneck, NJ
I have discovered several new artists this year that I like, such as . . . Jan Smith . . ."
Rich Warren, WFMT: Midnight Special, Chicago
You sound great! This album is full of extremely interesting music and I enjoy it very very much. I will definitely keep up spreading a word about you amongst my listeners and I will keep featuring your music very often in the program. J.L. Bueno, La Otra Musica radio show, Cadiz, Spain
This is one of my biggest surprises at the end of 2002. Tin Heart is a beautiful collection of roots, folk and bluegrass music . . . For me she will have five stars and is sure one of my favorites on my 2002 Top 20. Raymond Swennen, DJ RootsRevival, RADIO ATL Bree Belgium
"This album is full of songwriter pearls, perfect for a cold winter night. Heartwarming!" Marc Nolis, RootsTown Music Free-zine, Deurne, Belgium
Excerpts of lyrics:
"Every dream I've ever known
I don't think it's my own
it is a hand-me-down
like the concepts of love
the night sky above
this little tourist town
that lies beneath
me as I breathe
and try to find some sense
when the stars can't be defied
because they never even tried
to make a difference."
--Gorham Mountain
"All around this town there are lights that never dim
I wish I could burn steady, baby, and be
just like them."
--All Around This Town
reviews
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A Beautiful Album
author: DMDBeautiful music played beautifully coupled with beautiful lyrics sung beautifully.
The Candle in My Window
author: Lee ArmstrongJan Smith's "Tin Heart" is a delightful gem that flew beneath my musical radar screen until recently. While her 2006 CD "29 Dances" on the Landslide label captures attention, the Louisville native's earlier effort is well worth the search. Fans of Iris DeMent may find Smith's unadorned folksy style appealing. Jan's husband Jeff Vogelgsang lends musical support on mandolin. Her songs encompass a range of feelings from wistful quiet reflection to peppy toe tappers. Of my two favorites, "Gorham Mountain" is my choice for best track on the CD. The melody is strong and original with Jan's breezy vocals, "As the sky turned to black, I decided to go back, head on into town where I had no friend." "Ionesco's Chair" presumably has something to do with the absurdist playwright Eugene Ionesco. Again, Smith writes a melody brimming with energy, "You'll be the anchor & the steam showing up in every dream; You're the candle I am burning in my window." The CD concludes with the lovely "Fisherman" with a pretty melody and Jeff's mandolin gently capturing the listener's attention, "I don't want nothing but love anymore; I cannot exist without water; so I stand on the side, but the waves & the tide, they carry me out, ever farther out." Other tracks like "Rum in My Morning Coffee" & "Every Dish in the House" are also strong. "Tin Heart" is an excellent release, homespun and endearingly folksy. Bravo!
- author: Barbara
I heard her sing on Gorham Mt.I sit through 3 song on the NPR station to find out who the singer was. I thought it was Claire Lynch at first. I love her voice and her talent for writing these songs and the back ground instruments just were awesome. I had to have this CD.
Music like a deep cleansing breath and a good long stretch.
author: Tam HiattJan's voice, the ensemble of instruments, the melodies and the words all commingle into a sparkle you can feel, a tingle you can see. Listen to Tin Heart and listen again. I look forward to seeing the band perform in England this May.
strong talent and a tender voice
author: John P.Jan Smith does an amazing job on this album - she paints with her words and adds strokes of brilliance with her guitar. Tin Heart is a solid CD...strongly recommended!
A wonderful cd!
author: Jeff PI hesitated in buying this cd because I was afraid that the rest of the cd would not be as good as the four clips offered here. I should not have worried. The rest of the cd is as good or better than the clips. If you like the samples, then get the cd while you still can. You won't regret it. It's simply a wonderful cd from begining to end.
Beautiful harmony of voice and instrumentation
author: JeannetteI have so enjoyed the songs on this cd as I travel in my car. Great variety and harmony. Can't wait to hear her again in person as well as purchase her next cd.
Fantastic!
author: CherylI stumbled across her website with some sample clips and fell in love in about 20 seconds. Her lyrics are clever and her voice drives them home. Awesome!
The simple pleasures of folk and country music have never been more of a joy to
author: Joshua AilsworthJan Smith is quite possibly one of the most talented independent musicians to be found, and Tin Heart is an exceptional 11-song showcase of this talent. From the very first note of the album, Jan invites one to join her world- and what a wonderful world it is to explore. She combines a unique blend of folk, bluegrass, and country with catchy pop hooks that one cannot fail to be drawn in by. The songs on Tin Heart evoke a passion for the elements of life that leave one almost in tears for their heartfelt tenderness in matters of love, pain, and hope. Jan's voice is the voice of an angel, soft and gentle with an undying dedication to the lyrics of the songs, showing one the way to a more heightened perspective of life. That voice, along with the wonderful instrumentation and arrangements, give the album a life of its own. Tin Heart truly speaks to the heart of the listener, and allows one to see life through the eyes of a simple visionary- a visionary that expresses the hard to comprehend complexities of life in a simple and beautiful form. The simple pleasures of folk and country music have never been more of a joy to listen to than in this collection. Everyone should step into the world of Jan Smith and see just what wonders she has to offer the world.
A remarkable songwriter with engaging lyrics
author: PattyShe is a remarkable song writer with engaging lyrics like, "falling in love is neither brave nor original, and I do it badly each time." And, "so I write a long plaintive letter...the ink stains the page where I cry." All the songs on the CD are made up of solid song writing abilities backed up by a cast of wonderful musicians.
Jan has a great style, wonderful to listen to.
author: Stuart MervisI purchased the CD after seeing Jan Smith perform in Arlington, VA. Her terrific performance was fully brought to life in her CD. A wonderful set of songs to listen to. Her style is special, a unique blend of folk, country and bluegrass. The band's guitars blend beautifully with her voice. One of the best CDs I have bought in several years.
Sophisticated Americana
author: Amanda FrenchJan's songwriting is really wonderful--simultaneously classic and fresh, which is some trick. Her voice is throaty and clear, the songs are beautifully melodic, the intrumental arrangements are simple and effective, and there's simply not a better album to listen to if you're an intelligent person who's ever been broken-hearted . . .