A review of Frisky or Fair written for
the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
by Bob Gottlieb
This disc surprises (pleasantly) right from the git-go. There is the picture on the cover of the disc of a red haired, freckled, fresh-faced country girl, and then, the disc opens with a tune that sounds as if it is out of the Cab Callaway song book (including muted cornet). The songs are sung with a voice that knows its power and reach, and is glad to stretch for new boundaries. It isn't until the song Tunnel that we get the least hint of country, and that is because here she picks up her banjo and moves the song in that direction. She writes all her own songs, and they range from jazz, to western swing, to blues, to country to back in the hollers old time Appalachian tunes, and they are all strong separate stories that are concise and linear. She tends to keep her songs more in the jazz tone, even when the feeling is country the phrasing is more that hipster jazz of the Cotton Club. She has assembled a solid group of musicians (mostly acoustic instruments, only three tracks have electric instruments) for this recording that she produced (with, she admits, much consultation).
She comes from a family where music and community were important while she was growing up, father played guitar, and her mother was a dancer. The music in the house ranged from country, blues, gospel, and honky-tonk, and the family was always singing along. She sings with a confidence that comes from having had strong support for her singing throughout her life. With the songs she writes and the range of her voice, I look forward to future offerings from this versatile singer.
Copyright 2006, Peterborough Folk Music Society.
“Close your eyes. Do you hear that big, soulful voice? The one singing about honeysuckle, a wild turkey and two-sided coins flipping through the air? Now open your eyes. You may be surprised because that voice is coming from freckled, fair-complected, smallish, red-haired Eliza Lynn.”
- Kim Clark, The Laurel of Asheville, April 2006
For the past three years, Eliza Lynn has honed her passion for soulful music into her current performance. Alternately playing guitar and banjo, Eliza delights in sharing her voice, her original songs and her favorite American roots tunes.
This spring, Eliza will be appearing at The Evening Muse, The Root Bar, The Back Room, The French Broad Brewery, Appalachian Trail fest, the Grey Eagle, LEAF Festival and additional venues. She performs both solo and also as a duo with either Patrick Fitzsimons, on guitar and harmonica, or Sean Foley, on piano and accordion.
Eliza recently had the honor of being featured on the WCQS radio program Country Roots, in celebration of her debut CD release. Host Wayne Erbsen was outwardly impressed with the “great tone and great power” of Eliza’s singing. “It doesn’t come off on the radio, the power, because anybody can sound powerful with a flick of a switch. But she’s already peeled the paint off the studio walls in here. We’re gonna have to redo the whole studio.”
Eliza’s debut CD, Frisky or Fair, was released independently in late November, 2005.
This album is filled with soulful, rootsy original songs sung with gutsy vocals and accompanied by blues, jazz and old-time country instrumentation. With 13 musicians taking part, each song creates its own atmosphere. Frisky or Fair purely reflects Eliza’s love of roots music and her unique ability to celebrate the bluesy side of Americana.
Please visit www.elizalynn.com for more information and booking.
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