Album Review: Bette Smith – Goodthing

American blues/soul/rock singer Bette Smith may have one of the best voices in the business, and with ‘Goodthing,’ she proves she has one of the best-sounding bands in the business, too. Thirteen tracks bring a modern refresh of a classic soulful sound.

With a voice like Smiths, an album can be hit or miss, depending on the musical backing. ‘Goodthing’ opens the album with some good old-fashioned rock riffing that hits that spot inside where you know an album is going to be mega. Crystal clear in its production, the music has a laid-back vibe with plenty of breathing space. Nothing is here that’s not needed. There is no extra filler or instruments. It’s straight to the point, soulful, bluesy rock dominated by one hell of a voice.

‘Happiness’ keeps the good going with a honeyed vocal matched by snazzy backing vocals, crafting a cool jazz lounge vibe. Listening to this album is like being a fly on the wall of one of the band’s practice sessions. The intimate jam feel is the key to this album’s appeal.

‘Eternal Blessings is a cool late-night jazz track that speaks to the heart. ‘Darkest Hour’ is another standout track with the simple melodic guitar backing and a click of a drum. What a voice, though. Like a 40 a day Tina Turner. The track ‘Neptune’ has a lounge-filling sway, with Smith unleashing those lungs on us again—attention-grabbing and attention-keeping. Smith brings soulful vocals and a splash of funk, setting fire to an album packed full of brilliant tunes you can’t help but love.

After the slow smouldering of ‘Eternal Blessings, ‘M.O.N.E.Y’ adds a touch of funk with sky-high vocal acrobatics and a dirty bass line. The horn-filled ‘Whup ‘Em Good’ is whipped up by clever drum rolls and treats us to a smoking guitar and sax solo.

‘Time Goes Slower’ is a track I wish someone would write about for me. It features devotion, love, heartbreak, and even a cowbell, all topped by powerful lyrics that match the voice. There isn’t a dead track on here; it’s a solid album from start to finish, which is often a rare thing these days. It’s a soundtrack to the lights down low, and the whisky poured strong.

The slick production of ‘More Than A Billionaire’ is stunning with the subtle lead guitar work Smith has picked well for her backing band. They lay a strong base for Smith to get on with the vocals, confident that the music enhances and shapes rather than dominates. Pulling off 12-bar blues, soulful gospel and late-night burners, all polished with a pop sheen and enough grit to make the songs stand independently with or without that voice.

It’s got Bette Smith on the album, and It’s Smith who shines. Tracks like ‘Cave’ and ‘I Lived And Died A Thousand Times’ are joyous rides that both nicely ebb and flow with some sing-along moments. It’s her soulful vocals that inject power when needed, wrench your heart out without you noticing, or wrap you in an intimate smoke-hued cuddle. Groove-filled tracks that will have you reaching for that volume button.

Bette Smith has delivered a superb album from start to finish, and that’s a few spins away from being a firm favourite in any true music lover collection. ‘Goodthing’ is one of those albums that makes you sad. It took this long to find an artist, but then there is the joy of catching up on everything else, including Bette Smith. Brilliantly produced and performed, there’s no doubt this album will be a classic for some time. Well, until Smith drops another one.

Check out the albums opening track Goodthing, below:

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Purchase the album here