Hearts in My Dream by Li'l Mo & the Monicats

A couple of shuffles, “I’m Still Walkin’” in particular, allow Monica to charm snakeskin off’n a pair of boots. While the cover tunes show respect for the classics- Roger Miller and George Jones’ title track and Don Everly’s “The Sun Keeps Shining” - the sassiness of “The Great Indoors” and the tenderness of “I Will Give My Love,” both written by Monica, are far more impressive. And “Still Cryin’” is one of the best doggoned songs I’ve heard in a long time, with excellent pickin’ from Tony Trischka and classic harmonies by Y’All. This is an album that can sit next to “Pieces Of The Sky” and not feel the least bit intimidated.

-A Daily Dose

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Michael Clark, reviewer

Passin is an uncommonly mature honky-tonk singer who unearths a terrific lost George Jones tune for the title track and positively nails Don Everly's “The Sun Keeps Shinin'.'' Her own “Still Cryin' '' may be the set's highlight, and “The Great Indoors'' is a sassy come-on that would play well on any gray snow day in Minnesota.

...“Wait'll I Get You Home'' just may be the sexiest swing dance song ever...

-Jim Walsh, music critic

St. Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota)

Making her move rather late in the year, Monica Passin walks away with my vote for BEST COUNTRY SONG OF 1999. It may not hurt that "Still Cryin'" features Fats Kaplin on fiddle and Tony Trischka on banjo, but Passin demonstrates right there that she can write and deliver outstanding country music in the classic mold. And she has at least one follow-up A side in "It Just Doesn't Add Up." Her eponymous 1997 debut came across, very appealingly, as a one woman jukebox, a collection of handcrafted singles rather than just an album, the fact that she's based in NYC adding a dash of exoticism. This time around, she retains very much the same 'Greatest Hits' feel but has risen to a whole new, even more impressive level. Passin is a shining example of the real benefit of alt. country-- it provides a shelter for people who still practice the art of real country.

-John Conquest, editor

3rd Coast Music (Austin)

Monica Passin, whose stage name is Li'l Mo, is one of New York's most committed and undiluted country singer-songwriters. With her band, the Monicats, Li'l Mo has recently issued her second album, Hearts In My Dream, on her own Passin Fancy label. Like the first Li'l Mo album, the new one boasts superior writing in a variety of country sub-genres, great taste in cover songs, inspired playing, and vocals that are skilled, sincere, and transporting. Her talent deserves national recognition.

- Jim Steinblatt

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