Fascinating folk-pop, lyrically beautiful, said Rex Reed in
Lucia B. | Portland, Oregon | 12/28/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rex Reed's review from the April 1970 issue of Stereo Review:
"Once upon a time, Kathy Smith would have been called a folk singer. Now this charming balladeer is aptly representative of the music of today. Just as Judy Collins bridged that musical generation gap from straight-folk to `pop' singer, so now Kathy steps right across it. No longer do these ladies (and gents) tune up their trusty guitars and winsomely wail about `John Riley.' Like Miss Smith, today's folk-pop artists are more likely to be singing their own music, which, in Kathy's case, is lyrically and romantically excellent. Surrounding Kathy's charming, strong, and reflective voice are extremely talented musicians like Jeremy Steig on flute, Monte Dunn on lead guitar, Jim Fielder and Chuck Ramney on bass, and Bill La Vorgna on drums, among others.
"The album has its own particular and unusual style--a kind of neo-Classicism...[with] a very sensual rock beat that can run hot and cool. One of the most fantasy-filled and most beautiful songs on the album is titled `End of the World,' and it is written by Miss Smith. There are shadings of jazz and Villa-Lobos, with Jeremy Steig's flute illuminating the tropical landscape. Some intros reminded me of Judy Collins singing `Bird on a Wire' or Nina Simone singing `Suzanne.' But Kathy swings immediately into her very own song and her very own styling. `What Nancy Knows' is one of the best examples. I'm impressed too with the sheer professionalism of the arrangements and instrumentalists, and Kathy herself is up to matching both elements. She is perfectly willing to use her voice as another instrumental thread to be woven in and out of this honest American musical fabric. Kathy and company are to be paid serious attention.""
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1