Jan Smith, 29 Dances - 44m 24s

Tracks & Durations

1. James River	3:51
2. Depend on My Love	4:35
3. Woman Your Guitar	3:05
4. Half the Treasure	3:46
5. Your Mamma Don't Care	3:35
6. Gorham Mountain	3:44
7. Willow Tree	2:39
8. Longest Goodbye	3:59
9. Rum in My Morning Coffee	3:38
10. All Around This Town	3:12
11. Simple Path to Freedom	2:56
12. True Love	5:15

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Review

Jan Smith's self-produced first album, Tin Heart, was released independently in 2002. No Depression called the disc "a thoroughly enjoyable mix of folk, country, and bluegrass that showcases Smith's strong and considerable songwriting skills. Her words force you to pay attention." Performing Songwriter said: "Jan Smith's deceptively simple tunes sparkle with freshness and originality."

For 29 Dances, Jan Smith enlisted the expertise of Grammy-winning producer Bil VornDick (Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley). The new album was recorded in VornDick's Nashville studio in June of 2005. It features Smith's husband and longtime musical partner Jeff Vogelgesang on mandolin and harmony vocals. It also showcases the seasoned talents of Johnny Hiland on guitar; Pat McInerney (Nanci Griffith) on percussion; Byron House (Buddy Miller, Sam Bush, Nickel Creek) on bass; Randy Kohrs on resonator guitar; David Talbot (The Grascals) on banjo; Mark Fain (Ricky Skaggs) also on bass; Robert Bowlin (Bill Monroe) on fiddle; and Patty Mitchell on harmony vocals.

29 Dances is an exuberant collection of new, original roots music. Its influences range from Appalachian folk music and bluegrass to traditional country. The songwriting is at once insightful and engaging, classic and fresh. The musicianship of the studio players adds to the overall impact of the songs.

Originally from the Louisville, Kentucky area, Jan Smith began writing songs at age 18 and continued while traveling on the east and west coasts throughout her twenties. A Jimmie Dale Gilmore songwriting workshop in 1999 was a watershed event in her development as a writer, and Gilmore himself recognized her talent. At his show late in the week, Gilmore called Smith to the stage to perform one of her roots originals - a slow, hard country tune called "Dime on the Floor," which would appear on her first CD.

Since moving to the Charlottesville, Virginia area in 2000, Smith has been strongly influenced by the region's rich bluegrass tradition. She has been booked at many of the state's most prestigious events and venues, including southwest Virginia's FloydFest. Regional shows have propelled more extensive touring, and national stops have included Club Passim in Boston, The Living Room in New York City, The Evening Muse in Charlotte, Uncommon Grounds in Chicago, and The Fiddling Cricket series in San Jose. In July of 2005, Jan completed a successful two-week UK tour and plans to return in the spring following the release of 29 Dances.

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