March 6, 2006
The Columbia River Reader, Randy Sanders

Lynn Frances Anderson
BORN LUCKY
Laughing Flower Music

I had originally planned to review 2 releases this month; but after listening to Lynn Frances Anderson’s third effort I had to give her all of my ink.

To start with, Lynn has an impeccable flair for producing material. With this, her third release, doling out hard-earned cash for Nashville digs is unnecessary. She has successfully nailed down that sought after “Nashville sound” right here in the Rain City. More often than not, indie artist enlist big-shot Nashville producers to prop up weak songwriting. In her case, Lynn has dialed in tight, chunky drums, bright guitar tones and big vocal sounds all within the friendly confines of Portland’s own resources. But most importantly, she has the strong material and band to support her brilliant record production.

There’s a song or two that fell off my radar screen, which is natural. Rarely is the case that an album will be chocked full of songs that are all equal in strength. However, most of these tunes are deserving of extended radio airplay (are you out there KINK FM?).

Lynn’s songwriting skills emerge from very personal experiences and close observations. Her honest confessions expose her private feelings that open windows to her heart which allow us all to experience with her all the laughter, pain, sorrow, hope and shame which she has chosen to share with us. Lynn has taken familiar topics and painted them with fresh perspectives, like in the song “Road to New Orleans.” “She traveled all the western states to watch the leaves turn red...Images of loves long past filtered through her head.”

Lynn’s diverse Americana song catalog ranges from rockin’ blues, acoustic-folk, country and even a Latin-flavored tune complete with a clave patterned “Blue Bayou” feel. The material is hemmed nicely with a common bond of soulful blues.

Her band is great, period. Austin-quality players that make it very enticing to also hear them live. The guitar work in particular makes me smile. Clark Salisbury’s wonderful tone and chops are reminiscent of Duane Allman/ Dicky Betts peach-eatin’-big-blue-Georgia-Sky stylings. He has masterfully laid out a gorgeous ground work of sailing, wailing licks without getting in the way of the songwriting itself. A big part of the fun listening to this album is hearing how Clark interlaces yummy chops in support of Lynn’s big voice.

And, yes, that big, beautiful voice. Lynn Frances Anderson brings the tone, spirit and soul of Mary Chapin Carpenter, Chrissie Hynde and Etta James all together in one grand package. She certainly knows where her voice is going at all times. Her sound is seasoned, strong, resonant and founded with a heaping-helping of rootsy, blues flavor.

Visit her website at www.lynnfrancesanderson.com for more info and how to purchase this gem. You can see her live with her band at The Aladdin Theatre in Portland for this CD release party on Saturday, March 18th, or solo at Borders Books and Music in Tigard on Saturday April 1st.