REVIEW OF CONCERT BY
THE CLAIRE LYNCH BAND AT THE LUCY OPRY
ON AUGUST 11, 2007
by Betty Westmoreland
Someone
wiser than this writer once said, “You can’t improve on perfection,” but in the
case of the Claire Lynch Band, that
old adage can be put to rest. This wonderful band has always been able to make
band changes, mix familiar material with new tunes, and keep right on stepping
with delightful performances. They just keep on getting better. The concert on
August 11, 2007, at the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center
(BPACC) was no exception.
One
listener described the Claire Lynch Band as ‘versatile,’ as they demonstrate
their ability to handle bluegrass, swing, and Cajun tunes with equal dexterity.
The word that came to mind for this reviewer was ‘comfortable’. Their sound is
as comfortable as your favorite pair of jeans—a good fit! The listener comes
away from the show with tunes swirling in his/her head—tunes which hang around
in there for days. Tunes which make one sing right along—like “Sweetheart Darlin’ of Mine,” or “White Train,” or the one with the
perpetual question: “Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring?” Comfortable
songs.
Prior to
the evening concert, the Claire Lynch Band gave several workshops at
After a
brief rest and dinner, the band took the stage at the Lucy Opry
for two hours which were filled with the rich instrumental and vocal work that
area fans have come to expect from the Claire Lynch Band. The band met every
single expectation with flying colors. Oh! This band is good—really good!
Claire Lynch is a premier vocalist and
songwriter. Her distinctive vocal style is immediately recognizable, and her
skills as a songwriter are such that she often writes with other respected
writers, such as Irene Kelley and Pamela Brown Hayes. Songwriters upon whom
Claire often calls for her material are former Memphian Paul Craft,
Playing the
Lucy Opry has become a tradition for Claire Lynch,
one which reaches back over time to the days of
IBMA
favorites, Jim Hurst and Missy Raines, add their flavor to the
comfortable sound of the Claire Lynch Band, with Hurst on guitar, banjo, and
vocals, and Missy on upright bass and vocals. They fit in well—and each performer
also has solo projects and amazing adventures of his/her own. Claire, Jim, and
Missy just seemed poised to receive their newest sparkler on fiddle and
mandolin.
Jason Thomas is the new member of the Claire
Lynch Band. He comes into the band from a band known as Kane’s River. Thomas
learned the fiddle from his father, and this fine young musician who is
originally from
First Set:
1. Goin’ Up, 2. Paul and Peter Walked (by Chris
Stuart), 3. Sweetheart Darlin’ of
Mine, 4. Unlucky Seven (Jim on banjo, Jason on
fiddle), 5.
Second Set:
1. Train Long Gone (by Dennis Linde, topped the
bluegrass charts for the Claire Lynch Band), 2. White Train
(by Peter Holsapple), 3.
The Lucy Opry audience turns out in big numbers for the Claire Lynch
Band, and it is plain to see why they do:
Top-ranked artists who have a genuine respect for their fans, a songbook
of familiar favorite tunes from bluegrass and country music to Cajun and swing
tunes, and a genuine love for what they do. The Claire Lynch Band always
delivers! Watch for the release of “Crowd Favorites” and catch the band at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass in
Additional
Information:
www.myspace.com/jasonthomasfiddle
E-mail: clairelynchband@gmail.com