Like a doorknob that is well-polished by use, That’s What Love Can Do is an exemplary album that doesn’t seek to re-invent bluegrass. Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike have managed to fashion an album that maintains the vocals, instrumentation and the lyrics as focal points rather than the slick studio engineered sound common today.
   Valerie’s rich voice is pleasant and succinct, giving her songs added dimension without sacrificing quality.
   IIIrd Tyme Out’s lead singer Russell Moore joins Valerie on two of the album’s thirteen songs, infusing the Becky Buller (Liberty Pike’s fiddle and banjo player) penned “In Those Mines” and the Gary Scruggs authored “Falling” with added depth. The ballad “Sarah Hogan” and the Texas swing flavored “Buzzed” are also notable standouts, the former for its poignant tale and the latter for its two-steppin’ flair.
   Fleshing out the sound on That’s What Love Can Do are additional guest appearances by Missy Raines (2004 IBMA Bass Player of the Year), percussionist Pat McInerney (Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash).

-Wynn Hayden*