Album Notes

“You don’t know it yet but I’m someone you won’t forget. I think it’s gonna take you by surprise.”
You won’t hear those lyrics until the sixth song on Lorraine Conard’s new CD, “Riding on Your Wings,” but chances are you’ll take notice of her voice and songwriting talent long before then.
Influenced by a vast and varied mix of artists, Conard’s songwriting style ranges from toe-tapping, country-fried Americana to earthy, folk-tinged blues. All her songs, regardless of their patchwork roots, are anchored by rich, earthy vocals that are equally capable of soothing and electrifying.
For several years, Conard has played regularly to a loyal fan base at several Waynesville venues, where she plays with a variety of other musicians.
“Those mini-concerts give me a chance to experiment with different songs and instruments and arrangements,” said Conard. “The new album captures the best of each, and I feel really excited about the new CD.”
The ten songs on “Riding on Your Wings” often sway between the competing states and emotions of commitment and freedom, from the emotionally raw title track to the soulful “Leaving” to the up-tempo tunes of “Sitting Tight” and “Train A’Coming.” The album closes with “Letters from Baghdad,” where Conard deftly manages to intertwine those contrasting themes without delving into the controversial politics of the conflict there. Through it all, Conard offers original tunes and lyrics that listeners will repeat even when the music isn’t playing. It’s a very rich album that will appeal to a wide variety of ages and audiences.
Joining Conard on the album are Kent Roberts on lead guitar and bass, John Greene on bass and keyboards and Jeff Rudolph on drums. Roberts also served as the sound engineer for the album.