“Immediately impressive is the spaciousness of these live-in-the-studio recordings: a fine setting for Smith’s bittersweet word play and liquid amber vocals. She’s an extraordinary singer with vast reserves of firepower and the smarts to keep diva elasticity well in check - at the service of her songs.
“She has a very interesting style… you just know it’s from New Zealand. It has so many New Zealand-isms in it. Very engaging. She has a very good voice and she has written herself lyrics and given herself a whole message that she has such conviction with.
“Caitlin Smith has a great set of lungs. The first album to feature primary her own songs (of the Joni Mitchell confessional variety) gets a semi-acoustic, sensitive jazzy backing from her group, and it’s an all-round classy affair.”
“Aurere……..it’s like finding a new voice. These may be the first songs of her own that Smith has recorded, but they have a sophistication that comes from years of playing. In [‘I am Joe’s heart’], with it’s Joni Mitchell-ish piano chords, she hangs a melody that perfectly matches the song’s mood of anger and hurt.
“Singer/songwriter, pianist and sought-after vocal tutor Caitlin Smith is probably best known for her lounge jazz trio The Fondue Set, which has gigged extensively throughout the country. On Aurere, she is joined by a crack-team of players.