CD review
Jo Jo Smith ‘Live @ The Blue Birdy
by Pete Best – Sunday Herald Sun

It was radio great Billy Pinnell who first put me onto JoJo Smith’s music. He described a natural, enchanting voice that easily mastered Pop, Latin, Jazz, Gospel and the undescribed genres in between. Billy was right, and all the evidence is here on Blue Birdy, named after the Byron Bay venue in which it was recorded.
Billy hadn’t yet mentioned Smith’s wry song-writing, which dominates this collection. There really is a Leonard Cohen feel to it, and she covers his clever ‘Hallelujah’ here. Billy might like it. Cohen certainly would. Monica Weightman’s solo is a thing of beauty.
Another witty song, ‘The Lid’ would take pride of place on any Jimmy Buffett release, and he’d happily adopt Smith’s Nashville arrangement, in which Smith urges listeners to tick off all the boxes they can “because you’re a long time looking at the lid”. Smith’s honest vocals are like a breath of fresh air – in a smokey nightclub.

CD review
Jo Jo Smith Live @ The Blue Birdy
by Rooster McBlurta

How do you write a review on something so great? Not being based in Melbourne Jo Jo comes into my collective thoughts when she releases CD's, which are always of a high quality, then gradually disappears again. How wonderful to be reacquainted with this master craftswoman. This is a live album that all singers should aspire to. Jo Jo reminds me of hte legendary Ella Fitzgerald in her ability to cuddle and caress a song and make it her own, and like a child, allow it to grow and leave her to find more adventures with others. Her adaption of 'Damn Your Eyes' (made famous by Etta James), 'Halleluja' (Cohen), Sam Cooke's 'You Send Me' and the more obscure 'Storm Warning' penned by Britten/Maalfrid, get all of Jo Jo's love, care and vocal ability and she makes them all grow. However, ulike Ella, Jo Jo also writes brilliant songs that sit alongside the greats like half siblings. Jo Jo come appears to have a true love and understanding of hte world and people in it and her music comes across as joyous and fun. 'Tempt Me With Love' appears like her theme, forget about insignificant token gestures and get the real thing - love. The theme of love and hope continues with 'Let Somebody Know', 'I Believe', 'Send You All My Loving' and 'Holiday Town Blues'. Natural wonders get time in the spotlight with 'Where The Doves Fly' and 'Latin Bellbird' whilst Jo Jo can even take the theme of death and make it amusing and thought provoking with 'The Lid' as she says "you're a long time looking at the lid", so make the most of life whilst you can! Jo Jo has commandeered a great band wiwth Steve Russell on piano, Geoff Writght, guitar, Greg Lyon on bass, Dave Sanders, drums and Leigh Carriage on backing vocals. Guests Monica Weightman on guitar, Tony Buchanan on sax and flut and David Ades on sax, also absoulutely shine.

I'm sure the CD launch at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne with South of The River Jospel Choir as support will be a 'Hallelujah'!

Billy Pinnell – Radio Programmer/Presenter/Writer

Since her arrival in Australia in the late 70’s, New Zealand born JoJo Smith has cemented her place among the nations most gifted and admired singer/songwriter/musicians. Her greatness manifests itself in various ways. An understanding of the nuances integral to the various genres she explores. Gospel, Jazz, Soul, R&B, Blues, Latin, Pop. An emotional involvement in the lyrics she writes and interprets. e.g. Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’, ‘Damn Your Eyes’ by Etta James on JoJo’s latest album recorded live @ The Blue Birdy in Byron Bay.
An elastic voice demure one minute, tough and decisive the next and a technique that’s in perfect synch with the numerous A-list musicians she has been associated with throughout her career. She has a special stage presence that special singers possess. No histrionics, just a palatable connection with audience and musicians. Listen to JoJo’s recording, go and see her in performance, experience the artistry of this exceptional woman.
Renee Geyer Jo Jo has been an inspiration to me, and many other musicians in Australia for many years…she truly sings from the heart.

CD Review
Jo Jo Smith Live @ The Blue Birdy
by Les Taylor, The Honey Dripper - Announcer for Bay FM - Byron Bay

Hip Pocket set the standard for all jazz bands in the Northern Rivers. Their blend of jazz, funk, blues and R 'n' B was the most professional around derived from many years playing in the big cities. Jo Jo Smith had hte voice to effortlessly cover all these styles.

Jo Jo returns to the source of the soul and records a live album of 'favourites' at the Blue Birdy in Byron. The lady with the voice that has been described as 'a banquet for the soul' delivers a set of which combines covers and illustrates her own brilliance as a songwriter.
Put this in your collection now because 'Your'e a long time looking at the lid!'.

CD review
Jo Jo Smith Live @ The Blue Birdy
by Peter Merrit - Music Manager PBS 106-7 FM

Greetings JoJo, bravo bravo on your cd, a wonderful mix that has beautiful textures, highs and lows coloring a music inspired palette. From a Gospel tinged start you certainly shine the light on a performance throughout that is a journey in itself, a journey of discovery about JoJo Smith.
I have allocated your cd to the wonderful legend around here Helen Jennings for her show “Roots Of Rhythm” Wednesday 9 to 11am, so suited for her show it is as if you recorded it just for her show. Your own compositions have a breath of fresh air about them and they sit comfortably with the inimitable Sam Cooke and Leonard Cohen. Your album is unpretentious but serious in its endeavour and intention. Entertaining and relevant in a world of irrelevant music.
Simplicity in art but a jewel in music…..We enjoy your cd immensely JoJo and congratulate on your beautiful honest style.

CD review
Jo Jo Smith - Live at the Blue Birdy, Byron Bay
by Peter Katims All That Jazz Bay-FM Byron Bay

The Blue Birdy was Byron Bay's only weekly jazz venue, a lovely intimate club that hosts wonderfully talented musicians from Australia and abroad. Often it was full to overflowing and sometimes the crowd is small. On July 11th of this year the place was absolutely packed, standing room only, for the return of one of Byron's musical sisters, JoJo Smith. I first met Jo Jo 13 years ago when she lived in this area and we were able to hear her perform in one venue or another on a regular basis. Then she moved to Victoria, leaving a plethora of fans behind as she went on to new adventures down south. Returning to perform in July was like a public invitation to anyone who knew JoJo to have a night out and schmooze with her once again after a long absence. The welcome could not have been more spectacular and the concert certainly justified the visibility of many music buffs who only come out of the woodwork for very special occasions. Her backup band was made up of some of the Bay's local talent; Steve Russell on piano, Greg Lyon on bass, Geoff Smith on guitar, Dave Sanders on drums, and backing vocals by Leigh Carriage.
I personally could not have asked for a more appealing collection of musicians. The crowd loved them, loved the music, and everybody stayed for the two sets, seat or no seat. My only complaint is that JoJo does not still live here so that we could hear her sing more often. She is a joy!!!

What the people say about JoJo Smith

Renee Geyer

" Jo Jo has been an inspiration to myself and many other musicians in Australia for many years.....She truly sings from the heart".    Renee Geyer

Star Observer (Sydney)

Purity of control with a real edge, honest, funky, from the soul. 

Carl Pannuzzo - Singer

Jo Jo would be as common as muck in Utopia. Luckily at least her music and energy relate commonly to everyone by the seeds of our potential fruit. An inspiration disproportionate to her public recognition doesn’t stop her from hitting deep into 100% of the lucky who DO get to hear and see this powerhouse live. Jo Jo writes and delivers straight from and straight to the heart and soul. No darkness could not be totally eclipsed by her light - as the smiles and feet of audiences testify.
Already a legend before her time, this musical anomaly would appear almost not of this world, were she not so deeply rooted into the earth and the core of the human spirit. No words could ever sound like anything more than hype until the actual experience of her would realise that there are simply as few words as there could be walls to house this kind of force. And it’s all done so naturally, simply by her enormous love, and love of music and life. Thank You Jo Jo!”

Drum Media

Jazz Funk Magic.

Russel Smith - Record Producer

A most gifted musician and writer.

Ross Hannaford: (Daddy Cool)

Original and fully heartfelt.

Nine to Five

Jo Jo’s voice is more like a natural vibration than a forced tune - a rare talent.