[twitter style=”vertical” float=”left”] [fbshare type=”button”] [google_plusone size=”standard” annotation=”none” language=”English (UK)”] I’ve just finished watching Youtube. I’d been listening to Bonnie Raitt singing “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, and then, being the current big star that she is, I also checked out Adele’s live version from the iTunes Awards Show.
Well was there a difference? And what may it have been, you’re thinking?
Adele’s version was astoundingly striking. Her strong vibrant voice belted out the torment; “Because I can’t make you love me, if you don’t…”
Bonnie Raitt, was equally striking. Her strong vibrant voice cried out the torment; “Because I can’t make you love me, if you don’t, you can’t make your heart feel something it won’t…”
…and I just melted into one thousand and one tiny little pieces.
The difference? You read it…if you didn’t, read again!
The difference was immensely evident.
There’s just something about a country girl’s singing that drives your emotions into disrepair. Everybody else sings songs, country singers sound like they live them.
I grew up listening to the likes of Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Rita Coolidge, Carly Simon and Bonnie Raitt. So I won’t be easily fooled.
I know when I hear a good country singer, and Jessica Lynne is a very good country singer indeed.
Singing country songs requires honesty, from the tip of your toes to …to heaven knows.
You can’t fake it no matter how good your voice is. Singing country is like reading your life’s diary out aloud in a room full of strangers.
Jessica Lynne’s talent for performing country and western music, becomes even more evident when you consider that she was born in Denmark and lived there until she was 12-years-old. Her later life experiences have taken her from Copenhagen to Barcelona and even as far as India.
An oppressive religious upbringing and an abusive relationship, did the rest to mature her resiliant will to succeed. Forging the profound interior reservoir of emotions she draws apon to deliver her songs.
Within a year of her arrival in the USA, Lynne has planted herself center stage in Seattle’s music scene. Using the popular crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, she funded her first recording. Local audiences have since been comparing her to such luminaries as Loretta Lynn, Bobbie Gentry and Tanya Tucker.
Her album “Spiritual Cowgirl” which is now available, confirms all the good things said about her career thusfar.
From the first track, “Singin Country” the storytelling voice is immediately captivating. Running all the hooks and lines, most distinctive of the genre. Jessica is also marvellously aided by a wicked acoustic guitar riff and a steady backbeat by her rhythm section.
“Not My Cowboy” is typical fiddlin’ and finger lickin’ country swing. Unpretentious and easy. “Just grab your lady by the hand and slip and slide across the room”, is the best way to enjoy this song.
“Fallen Angels Don’t Fly” is the main reason ( besides Faith Hill ), I still listen to country on the odd occasion. It’s the classic, crooning heartbreaker. Restrained verses and surging choruses, sprinkled with pathos and a dash of melancholy. Jessica Lynne sings it, as if she was born to. Her voice is expressive, easy on the ear and never forced.
On the final track, “Wheels”, Jessica shows she can get her hands dirty with the best of them, throwing a good old dose of the blues into the mix. The song is busier and harder than the rest of the album, with a scorching guitar solo to match.
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The “Spiritual Cowgirl” EP is a concentrated and consistent introduction to the voice and talents of the “country girl from Denmark”.
The sound production is solid and flawless, and offers some skilful playing and tasteful musical arrangements.
However there is no doubt, that the true star is Jessica Lynne.
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