Rating:
Genre:
Country
Release Date: 01/30/2001
In the early '80s,
bluegrass singer
Claire Lynch was invited to make a
country album, resulting in
Out in the Country. Issued by a small label, the album has been out of print for some time. Now
Lynch's fans and
country music fans are in for a pleasant surprise; thanks to
Copper Creek, this wonderful album is once again available. While
Lynch wasn't completely satisfied with the production of the album, nor with all of the song choices, it is doubtful that listeners will have any such qualms. The album kicks off with
"I Can't Get You Off of My Mind," a nice piece of
Western swing with some great steel guitar work by
Mike Auldridge. The mostly acoustic
"I'll Never Grow Tired of You" is a lovely
waltz that gives
Lynch's emotive vocals a chance to stretch out. On a number of songs she is joined on vocals by
John Starling and
Kostas, adding depth and diversity to the music.
Lynch's liner notes give the impression that the project was sort of thrown together; maybe so, but the results work. There are also excellent versions of
"He Rode All the Way to Texas" and
Loggins & Messina's
"Listen to a Country Song." At 33 minutes, the album may seem a little short, but one has to take into consideration that this album was originally released in 1982, before CDs made the 74-minute album compulsory.
Out in the Country is excellent
country music, but unfortunately the kind that is seldom played on radio stations. For
Lynch fans, and for those tired of waiting for real
country music on the local radio station, this album shouldn't be missed.
~Ronnie Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide