Their latest CD, “Tell Someone,” features many of the songs Kenny and Amanda grew up singing in church and in their earliest days in bluegrass. According to Kenny, an award-winning guitarist, a quarter of their material is gospel music, and those are the most-requested songs in their live shows. “Tell Someone” has been a long time dream for the Smiths, taking over ten years to come to fruition. But that probably explains the joy that shines through this mix of gospel standards and original compositions.
I don’t know a whole lot about bluegrass, but I know pretty pickin’ when I hear it. Things start off smoothly as up-tempo opener “Shoutin’ Time” lets loose with warm vocals and upbeat strings. Amanda Smith’s got a voice like a crystal bell, pure and clear. She can make a joyful noise with the best of them, or tone it down and melt your heart with “Mary Had a Little Boy,” a moving story of the worst kind of missed opportunity. Kenny’s vocals are equally pleasant, matching hers seamlessly in the harmonies of “Someday Soon,” and holding his own on the touching “Angels Calling at My Door.” The two of them go like a house on fire on the upbeat “I Can’t Sit Down,” a lively duet on the glories of heaven.
Their tight band never lets them down for a moment in these thirteen tracks, tearing it up on “I’ve Got More to Go to Heaven For,” Jason Davis’ bango shining through the lovely harmonies and Jason Robertson’s sweet mandolin. These guys scatter tiny grace notes of string perfection throughout the project (take note of the lush “One More Chance, Lord”). Another standout track, “Free Indeed,” puts out an uplifting message of grace through more sparkling harmonies. Kenny calls “Tell Someone How Precious He Is” the theme for the whole album, perfect to close out this bluegrass delight from the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band. Try something different this January 30 when “Tell Someone” releases; get you some contemporary bluegrass gospel and expand your horizons a bit.
