Lynn Drury – High Tide
Veteran New Orleans artist Lynn Drury has unveiled her 10th album produced by Papa Mali & it’s recorded with lots of presence & sonics. Right from the upbeat opener “Blue,” the country inflections are meticulous. Some tracks sound dated in a 50s balladry style but don’t be deterred (“I Waited Too Long”) the arrangement’s intent was precisely that. Lynn sounds gloriously warm & expressive in this musical gear. It’s romantic & melodramatic but not loaded with pomposity. For a few moments, Lynn projects, a raspiness ala Bonnie Tyler & Kim Carnes — but doesn’t linger in that spin for long.
“Love Bomb,” is smoky & powerful (don’t let the cliched title make you avoid this wonderfully constructed pop-tune) with pristine guitar & a tight arrangement. The undercurrent of Country in the melody has a pop-rock sway that makes it quite delectable. 11 waves make up High Tide (Drops April 15/Independent) with its gentleness & punctuated dabs.
“Lay Down My Weapons,” is an example. The accompaniment pulses as Lynn’s vocals drift like a mist over the harder edges. It’s all laid down with plenty of ventilation. If rockers Joan Jett or Suzi Quatro ventured into country rock with a ballad it may sound like this. But Lynn Drury is an equally accomplished artist & it’s evident.
And when you think she’s laid out her best, she unleashes “Live My Life,” with its Rolling Stones-oriented guitar thrust delivered with rock n’ roll purity. Exceptional song. Even more with its enthusiastic performance & dynamic drums. She has a vocal tonality that cruises in like Lucinda Williams with vocal lessons – it has a rawness but not a growl, it has sweetness but very little sugar. I have to say – the woman rocks.
She has 20 years’ experience & that skill is obvious in her reliable delivery of many of the tunes. Lynn displays her inimitable style with fascinating compositions that are showcased with distinction. “Live My Life,” I have to listen to that again, nothing about it is predictable. It’s just a masterful rock n’ roll musical arrangement & we’re not in the Sixties anymore. The tune smokes like an early morning chimney.
Highlights – “Love Bomb,” “Live My Life,” “Blue,” “High Tide,” “I Waited Too Long” & “Lay Down My Weapons.”
Musicians – Papa Mali (guitars), Rene Coman (bass), Doug Belote (drums) with Roddie Romero (slide guitar, accordion & backup vocals), Rurik Nunan (violin), Yvette Landry (bgv), Andriu Yanovski (piano/organ), Jason Mingledorff (sax), Satoru Ohashi (trumpet) & Andrew Gilchrist (horns/bgv).
Color image courtesy of Lynn’s website. CD @ CD Baby & https://www.lynndrury.com/