DEBI
SMITH
Hits & Holidays
* * *
I’m on record as supporting
unilateral drone strikes on performers who make holiday records. (Dylan’s
Christmas album, anyone?) I am, however, willing to give the stand-down order
for Debi Smith’s foray into seasonal merriment. First of all, she has a
seriously great voice; it has depth, power, clarity, and chutzpah. No wonder
she’s both a beloved solo performer and a mainstay of Four Bitchin’ Babes and
The Smith Sisters. If you’ve any doubt about how good she really is, listen to
her out-muscle a string orchestra on “O Holy Night.” We’re talking diva
territory on that one. The other thing in her favor is that she has an
expansive view of holidays—not just the mauling mall litany of Christmas irritants,
but a calendar’s worth of offerings. I did not know that January 23 was
National Pie Day, but I’m feeling festive about that one, and I’m as giddy
about Smith’s cover of Doc Watson’s “Pie” as I am of her duet with Watson on
“Keep on the Sunny Side.” They’re calling that a New Year’s song and that’s
good enough for me. Nor did I know that March 20 was National Proposal Day or
that May 4 was Renewal Day, but I’m glad she collaborated with Tom Paxton on
the tender “Marry Me Again.” Canada Day coming up? Check out Smith’s “Niagara
Falls.” Need a little something extra for Mother’s Day? Smith’s “Mother’s
Hands” is rightly a beloved standard. Want to go a little over the top? How
about “Chevy Impala” for Collector Car Appreciation Day? Mark your calendars;
it’s coming up on July 9.
Rob
Weir
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