Produced by Darleen Wilson, These Things Wrapped was voted one of the top 10 recordings of 1995 by internet folkies. Leslie Smith renders elemental passions with exquisite artistry. Much of her subject matter concerns f... more »amilies. From the bluegrass flavored "Northern Cross" to the joyous "Scotland" (augmented by the fiddle of Johnny Cunningham) to the emotionally devastating "Boat in a Bottle," Leslie Smith proves herself a writer and singer of rare intensity and risk. Once a highland dancer and ballerina, she has been called "The Harper Lee of folk music" owing to her near-disappearance after the release of this recording. Buddy Miller ran across a copy several years after its release, and asked Leslie to open a show for Buddy and Julie Miller in Pittsburgh. "We should be opening for her", he said.« less
Produced by Darleen Wilson, These Things Wrapped was voted one of the top 10 recordings of 1995 by internet folkies. Leslie Smith renders elemental passions with exquisite artistry. Much of her subject matter concerns families. From the bluegrass flavored "Northern Cross" to the joyous "Scotland" (augmented by the fiddle of Johnny Cunningham) to the emotionally devastating "Boat in a Bottle," Leslie Smith proves herself a writer and singer of rare intensity and risk. Once a highland dancer and ballerina, she has been called "The Harper Lee of folk music" owing to her near-disappearance after the release of this recording. Buddy Miller ran across a copy several years after its release, and asked Leslie to open a show for Buddy and Julie Miller in Pittsburgh. "We should be opening for her", he said.
CD Reviews
Wonderful yet hard to define
11/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Smith's music defies labels. Although she performs most of it solo, accompanied on acoustic guitar, it doesn't fit the folk or country or unplugged designations. There are echoes of the Celtic music, a tinge of bluegrass and a faint country twang. Smith's guitar and vocals were done live in the studio with no dubbing or production magic, which gives the songs an sense of immediacy.The songs are profound, the lyrics alternately scathing and compassionate, and the music is exquisite. Smith's soaring vocals forcefully convey the powerful images expressed in the songs. From the potent social commentary of China Cups and Wednesday's 's Child to the touching Prayers Of Genevieve and Midnight Pirouette to the finely crafted allegory of Boat In A Bottle, the music is nothing less than terrific from beginning to end."
Really nice CD
11/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A friend lent me this and I've been playing it quite a lot. It's a real nice CD and well worth your time. A great piece of post-modern folk."
Leaves you breathless
James K. Simpson, III | Mobile, Alabama United States | 09/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the best singer/songwriter CDs I've heard in years, much less from someone unknown. I bought this after having it pitched to me, and I have loved it ever since. It takes a strongly imaginative writer to produce a song about love in a nursing home...who would even have thought about it? Leslie Smith writes about abuse, family, and heartbreak, but not so that you are left with a feeling of hopelessness. This is sometimes difficult, but beautifully rendered material. I'm looking forward to more from her."
Wonderful !!!
Anthony C. Navarro | US | 07/18/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"TRUELY A 1ST RATE SINGER/SONGWRITER COMPARABLE TO THE LIKES OF LUCINDA WILLIAMS, KELLY WILLIS, AND BETTY ELDERS.-------A BEAUTIFUL VOICE WITH TREMENDOUS GUT FEELING EMOTION AND BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED SONGS TO MATCH---------ONE OF THE BEST ALTERNATIVE COUNTRY SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUMS EVER RELEASED---------NO RECORDINGS SO FAR AFTER THIS ONE"
Amazing
Anthony C. Navarro | 10/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the few real impressive singer songwriter albums I have heard. Haunting and extraordinarily musical. Just amazing... Hope her next (1999) almost-release is available soon!"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1