The Lynns The Lynns (Reprise)
Patsy (named after her mom’s pal Patsy Cline) and Peggy go out of their way not to mention their mother by name in the liner notes, in which they thank her for sharing “the blessed gift of music.” Maybe they’re just modest; maybe they just want to stand on their own four feet. But if I were in their pointy little boots, I’d definitely worry about being swallowed up in Loretta’s massive shadow.
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That Lauderdale’s returned to country, however, by no means makes this album easier to predict than his others. He’s drawn on the full range of the good stuff: many of his tunes vividly recall the poppy 60s countrypolitan style, yet the album’s closer is a gorgeous, full-fledged bluegrass number featuring Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. The average contemporary country song slogs through its melody with little variation, the chorus sprouting out of the verse dutifully enough to set your watch by. But Lauderdale numbers like “Goodbye Song,” “It’s Hard to Keep a Secret Anymore,” and the title track continually reveal beautiful surprises like unorthodox sections and melodic embellishments.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): The Lynns photo by Scott Bommer/ Jim Lauderdale photo by Samuel Johnson; album covers.
