I merely took the energy
it takes to pout and wrote some blues.

Duke Ellington

Album Review - Cinderella Sings The Blues (Independent/MRA)

Blues Bunny Independent Music Reviews (Jan 07): www.bluesbunny.com

Lana Martino-Smith certainly has gone to the ball. She gives us classy late night blues and sophisticated torch songs - a bit like Koko Taylor meets Peggy Lee. These are the sort of songs where you should turn the lights down low, curl up with a good woman and get out the good whisky (a single malt Scotch, there is no substitute) - after all, everyone appreciates a fancy liquor!
"Moanin" has a solid blues bass beat with a bit of Doors inspired organ to provide contrast; while "Cry Baby'" is enhanced with a superb laid back double bass beat that gives it such a cool feel that you'll need a scarf and gloves to listen to it. With "Crippled Heart Blues" we have a wonderfully stylish slow paced blues number that is certainly our personal favourite. This is a sadly all too short collection of songs, and is so classy you almost expect it to a have a dress code.

Time Off Magazine (Jan 07): Australia

Brimming with the kind of stuff blues legends are made of, this debut EP from the über-talented Brisbane songstress is nothing short of a masterwork from someone who clearly was born to the mic. Driven by a mesmerising rhythm section and accentuated by moaning guitar work, Martino-Smith literally bleeds her sometimes sweet, often guttural vocal onto the disc. The incredibly convincing delivery of ‘Crippled Heart Blues’ will break your heart while you can also smell the cigar smoke on the whisky-soaked ‘Moanin’’. The piano-driven balladry of ‘Nowhere At All’ rounds off proceedings on a different note but perfectly closes what can only be described as magnificent. If Martino-Smith’s live set is half as good as her debut, then we’re gonna lose this girl. (BP)

Sharny Russell: Jazz Singer, ABC Music Recording Artist & APRA Award Winner (Australia)

"Lana's beautiful voice effortlessly covers the full spectrum - from vulnerable little girl, through strong and sultry, to driving, wailing blues! This CD articulates deeply the sense of loss and emptiness that many feel." (2006)

John Hoffman (USA/Australia): Jazz Trumpeter

"Lana is a wonderful singer, at home with comedy or the blues.  This collection of mostly original songs is honest and beautiful, like the singer.  Watch this space." (2006)