Claire Lynch - New Day (CD, 2006)

by Nigel Tuffman, 05/03/2006

I’ve been listening to Claire Lynch since her early days with the Front Porch String Band, all the way back to the Country Rain album. (Yes, album.) Through many different incarnations of that band and a few others, Claire has provided the incredible pure voice to deliver an amazing number of beautiful songs.

With the opening cut “Be Ready to Sail,” I knew immediately that I was again in for something great. With the opening guitar and mandolin harmony notes of the intro, the beautiful scene is set. Then Claire’s sparkling voice comes in, and then is joined by harmony voices to deliver a lovely reminder to seize each moment and make the best of life. Claire’s is one of those rare voices which instantly reveals a beautiful personality and allows her to speak directly to your heart. If you’ve met Claire, even once, and you listen to “I Believe in Forever,” you will know what I mean. This ability is undeniably a gift, and we are incredibly lucky to have her share her voice and her songs with us. (Claire also wrote or co-wrote 3 of the songs on this project.)

This is an exceptional collection of songs. From lovely hopeful songs (Only Passing Through, Love Will Find You Again) to introspective ballads (Down In the Valley) to swing (Fallin’ In Love) to groovin’ gospel (White Train) and all the way to rollicking bluegrass (Leavin’ on that Evening Train) all of the bases are covered. Claire was sure to include tunes with a lot of different feels so you never lose interest, and these guys absolutely nail every tune. These are all songs and performances that will stand up tall over time.

The Band. What a band! Make no mistake: though Claire is at the forefront, this is a band record, with each member making regular and crucial contributions to the overall sound. Guitar master and two-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year Jim Hurst plays perfectly – perfectly - on solos, backup, and rhythm – hot, sweet, or funky as the situation dictates, and he has his own unique sound. His vocal support to Claire’s leads is also perfect in pitch and feel. There’s not much I can say about Missy Raines’ bass playing that her many IBMA Bass Player of the Year awards haven’t already told you, but I’ll say something anyway. She makes the music cook! She plays with enough taste, tone, and timing to give all those bass posers something to shoot for. She also contributes right-on harmony vocals on several of the cuts. Claire, Jim, and Missy have been playing together for a number of years and it really shows. Dave Harvey is the fourth member of Claire’s travelling band and here he also provides fantastic support and solos on mandolin and harmony vocals - another master filling his every role in the band as well as could be done. Guests Stuart Duncan and Andrea Zonn on fiddle, Alison Brown and Charlie Cushman on banjo, and Rob Ickes on Dobro also provide many stellar musical moments.

Here’s the part of the review where I air my complaints about the project. Give me a few minutes, I’m thinking…Could you maybe come back later? Oh, just forget it. There are only good things to say.

Claire Lynch has written and recorded a LOT of great and very influential music over the past 30 years or so. Her latest release “New Day” makes a very legitimate statement as her best project yet, and that’s saying a lot. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Click here to visit Claire Lynch website