THE CLAIRE LYNCH BAND -

NEW DAY

Heard the Claire Lynch Band lately? Rounder Records released New Day in March of 2006, and the music from this band declares that it is truly a ‘new day’. Enjoy! Betty Westmoreland

CLAIRE LYNCH BAND – NEW DAY

Rounder CD – 11661-0563-2

One Camp Street

Cambridge, MA 02140

www.rounder.com OR www.clairelynch.com

E-MAIL info[at]rounder.com OR clairelynchband[at]gmail.com

Playing Time – 42:26

SONGS – 1. Be Ready to Sail, 2. Train Long Gone, 3. Love Will Find You Again, 4. Up This Hill and Down, 5. Down in the Valley, 6. Fallin’ in Love, 7. Long After I’m Gone, 8. Leavin’ on that Evening Train, 9. Only Passing Through, 10. White Train, 11. River of Dreams, 12. I Believe in Forever

The Claire Lynch Band presents their latest CD with a firm belief in its very name—New Day. From the first song to the last, there is a message of hope, a message that it is OK to dream. It truly is a new day for Claire, who is out here hard at work, singing and touring again after six years of doing other things—like raising her family in Alabama.

Here is a quick rundown of the dates and albums from the Front Porch String Band and from Claire Lynch herself:

1981 “Front Porch String Band”

1991 “Lines and Traces”

1993 “Friends for a Lifetime” (re-released in 1998)

1995 “Moonlighter”

1997 “Silver and Gold”

2000 “Love Light”

2001 “Out in the Country”

2006 “New Day”

Claire brings with her one of the finest bands in bluegrass music: Jim Hurst (guitar, vocals), Missy Raines (bass, vocals), and David Harvey (mandolin, vocals). Guest performers on the album are Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Andrea Zonn (fiddle), Charlie Cushman (banjo), Alison Brown (banjo), Larry Atamanuik (drums), and Rob Ickes (Dobro). Claire also gives a great amount of credit to engineer Ben Surratt, who she says has “a subtle ear for recording sensitive, acoustic music [which is a] big, big contribution!” This CD just has ‘power-packed’ written all over it!

Claire Lynch has developed her unique singing style over almost thirty years, drawing from bluegrass, folk, country, rock, and swing music. During that time, she has put together some stellar combinations in the Front Porch String Band and now in the Claire Lynch Band. She has often teamed with legendary stars such as Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and John Starling.

Jim Hurst and Missy Raines, both enormously talented professionals who have successful careers in their own right, appeared with Claire in the Front Porch String Band. David Harvey began his career at age 14, when he toured with Red Allen. David went on to form the popular band Wild & Blue with his wife Jan and her sister, Jill Snider. These folks are all major players in the bluegrass world!

Asked about a special message to her listeners, Claire replies, “The message is in the music.” How true that is! The album begins with “Ready to Sail,” which Claire says is a parallel to her own life. She says that “taking a leap of faith is the only way to accomplish” something worthwhile.

Claire Lynch’s distinctive voice is delicate, even tender at times, and yet she can deliver a soaring, powerful lyric. You just don’t forget that voice! As it is with the other band members, she knows her craft. This master of her music writes splendidly, contributing “Long After I’m Gone” (with Pat Alger), which she dedicates to her children, Kegan and Christy; the beautiful “River of Dreams” (with Jess Leary); and the hopeful and upbeat song she dedicates to her mother, called “I Believe in Forever.”

Songwriter Henry Hipkens figures prominently in Claire Lynch’s work. Hipkens’ ”Fallin’ in Love” is a terrific number in typical Hipkens swing style. Remember Hipkens’ “Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring” and “Stranger Things Have Happened”?

To further fascinate the listener, Claire Lynch includes a couple of spine-tinglers in “Down in the Valley” and “White Train.”

The song selection is outstanding! Everyone who hears “New Day” will hear things which appeal to them. There is adventure, leaving, returning, passing through, love lost, love found, hope, and a strong theme of belief in the hereafter. You just cannot help singing along with this most listenable album. One time through it and you’re hooked!

New Day’s strengths lie in the obvious: choice of songs, excellent instrumental and vocal work by some of the best in the business, and the obvious care and attention to detail by its producer—Claire Lynch. (Betty Westmoreland)