Longtime fans waited patiently for this recording, and newfound audiences are thrilled to discover Lindy Hearne and his latest CD - Lifetime Supply. Every song is a treasure. Each, a two- to four-minute movie waiting to play in your head - like a good book of short stories, set to music.
The pacing on this record is the best. It's a 46:49 set of original performances, imbued with deep feeling, uncommonly thoughtful lyrics, and a refreshing but not overdone dose of musical fun. The humor comes out lyrically in certain songs; sneaks in via instrumental subtleties elsewhere. Lifetime Supply is required listening to really "get it." Just don't have a heart attack when you leave the CD in the player, and you THOUGHT there were only 15 tracks. (Someone was having too much fun in the studio that day.)
The project was recorded and engineered by Sam Taylor and Paul Middleton at Palmyra Studios in Palmer, Texas; overdubbed and mixed by Taylor and Mike Gage at Hurricane Sound in Garland, Texas. "Lifetime Suppliers" pickin' and sangin' on the record include Lindy Hearne, Lynn Adler, Mike Gage, Kate Hearne, I.D. Houston, Lloyd Maines, Martin McCall, Sam Taylor and Jerry Wasley. Co-writers with Lindy on six of the 15 tracks are Lynn Adler, Hal Greenwood, John McClung and Freddy Lovvorn.
Lindy's CD liner notes credit Lynn Adler - writing and performing partner, and soul mate "whose voice and soul help shape my music" - for nudging him to record the CD. (FYI - Adler & Hearne's "Opposites Attract" CD on their Spring Hollow label was released spring 2005. It's here at CDBaby too: www.cdbaby.com/adlerandhearne. And check out Lynn's page at: www.cdbaby.com/lynnadler for her solo CD "Bird on the Wing." Hearne tips his hat to longtime friend and producer Sam Taylor for his creative genius, and for giving the final push to make this record happen.
Here are a few insights to each track on Lindy Hearne's Lifetime Supply, followed by more personal info:
1. Lifetime Supply - A sweet little, easy-going shuffle about how "our cupboard may be hurtin' but when it comes to lovin' - we're workin' on a lifetime supply." Jerry Wasley supplies ample, retro electric guitar sounds on this one, and the Lifetime Suppliers do-wop girls serve up a real smooth finish.
2. Bit by the Dog - The percussion prowls and pants along on this track, giving the sense that you're on the trail, running right beside "that old passion hound." Keyboardist Sam Taylor howls along with organ sounds that make you wanna shout "hallelujah." In the meantime, Hearne's deep velvet voice sings out on the classic Hal Greenwood lyric: "...I've been bit by the dog sure as I'm lookin' at you. I've been dressed down, laid out, left in the wake of ol' love-barkin', heart-sparkin' blue. Livin' life is easy as fallin' off a log. Then you came along and I got bit by the dog...Ah-ooooh."
3. Lookin' for a Bridge - A heartfelt love song, penned with Adler and Freddy Lovvorn. Taylor lends a beautiful, nylon-string guitar lead and accordion strains, as Lindy and Lynn sing to one another "...I'm looking for a bridge to get me over you."
4. Big Time - Hearne's gift for self-effacing humor comes through big time on this song that's autobiographical at heart. In a former life, Hearne's then band, A Touch of Country, performed with Roy Clark for several years. He served numerous stints in Vegas, and toured worldwide - playing big clubs and convention centers, primetime TV shows (yes, Lindy's been on Hee Haw), even Carnegie Hall. You can picture the life, as Lindy sings: "Hollywood pretty woman, cocktails by the pool. Everything this cowboy ever dreamed or ever knew. She said, 'You might be from Texas. You might go in style. You might play the guitar, but you ain't Lyle.' I'm on my own, big time. On my own..."
5. Yellow Canary - A bittersweet recollection - set to music. "...We had time to be tender. We had time to grow old. But no one told me about the treasure that two young hearts could hold. I just can't believe I let you go..."
6. Prayin' for the Camel - Written with longtime friend and writing crony John McClung, and based on the verse in the Bible about how it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. This one's from the rich man's perspective. "...Come on camel, concentrate. I hope it's been awhile since you ate. Come on, camel. Squeeze on through. Come on camel, this rich man's prayin' for you..."
7. Big Bad Wolf of Love - Classic Lindy Hearne: put a real life spin on an old fairy tale. "...Not long ago I soared these hills alone. Riding high, gliding along. Sailing on my own. But your heart flew in one day and blew me upside down. What a way to hit the ground. ...And he can huff and puff, and try to blow my fortress down. But I'll never give up to the big bad wolf of love..." 50-50 truth and fiction.
8. Willie's Piano - A haunting story song that plays like a favorite old black and white movie, with an instrumental ending that catches your emotions by surprise.
9. Give Me the Pieces - Informed by true-life stories and a deep faith in God, when Lindy wrote this song - he was inspired, in the truest sense of the word.
10. The Right Foot Inn - Finger snapping not optional. It's infectious that way. You'll be moving furniture out of the way so you can dance to this one. This fifties-style rock 'n' roll number is a product of Fort Worth native son Lindy Hearne, and his imaginative knowledge of early-days history of famed Jacksboro Highway. "...We're two-steppin' out at The Right Foot Inn. We dance in the dark 'til the day breaks in. A sweet breakfast roll with your honey's no sin, when you rock all night at The Right Foot Inn..."
11. Put Me on the Stove - Written with good friend and co-writer Hal Greenwood - also a man of faith - these two cooked up a theological doozy here. Open up your mind, grab your sense of humor, and hang on. It's a Cajun dish musically, complete with onions, stew, catfish, hot skillets, and hot harmonica seasoning.
12. The Railroad Man - A heroic tale of a long-ago, not-so-law-abiding, imaginary rider of the rails. Penned by Hearne and McClung. I.D. Houston on guitar and Lloyd Maines on dobro, lay down their own brand of railroad tracks. Hearne sings "...I like clickety-clack and I love a sack of gold when it's in my hands. It ain't no lie, I won't deny - I'm the railroad's biggest fan. I love the sound of one breakin' down as I stop her in her tracks. And I always tip my hat to the man who tosses me those sacks. ...Throw up your hands, I'm The Railroad Man..."
13. What if it Rains? - Like a soundtrack for life, and inspired by his young daughter Kate (a budding musician herself), this Lindy Hearne song borrows from everyday times and once-in-a-life times. It paints the kind of scenes that happen to us all. "...What if it rains? What will we do? Will it all wash away? Will it all end too soon? What if it rains?..."
14. Texas Toast - Another twisted concoction by Hearne and Greenwood. This one you can pretty much project onto whomever you please. An old boss, an old friend, an old lover - an old politician... "...From the banks of the Red River to the Corpus Christi coast - you were the toast of Texas. Now you're just Texas toast..."
15. Wondering - The title suffices here. Lindy's rich voice is at its warmest, and most vulnerable. The only way to sing a song like this.
As a young singer, Lindy got off to a serious start, performing with the famed Texas Boys Choir for nearly five years - until his voice changed. Like many, Lindy grew up singing in church. As a music student at John Brown University, Lindy performed throughout college, primarily with a group called The Changing Tyde. After college, he toured with the band Soul Concern, made numerous USO concert tours with close musical chums (including Taylor and Wasley), and toured with Roy Clark (as mentioned earlier). Since those earlier days, Lindy has been on a solo musical journey until joining up with singing and songwriting partner Lynn Adler in 2002.
Lindy Hearne's songwriting finesse is common knowledge in wider and wider circles. Hearne and Adler were two of 10 finalists in the national 2001 Wildflower Festival Performing Songwriter Showcase in Richardson, Texas. He and co-writer Hal Greenwood won first place in two song categories in the 2002 Walnut Valley Festival NewSongs Showcase at Winfield, Kansas. The two, along with Adler, penned another first-place song in the same event for 2003. In 2004, Hearne placed again as one of ten finalists in the Wildflower Festival's Performing Songwriter Showcase. Also in 2004, Hearne and Adler placed second at the 57th Annual Original Ozark Folk Festival Songwriters Contest in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Touring these days mostly as one half of the duo Adler & Hearne, Lindy performs solo on occasion. He lives outside Winnsboro, Texas, at the Spring Hollow Organic Song Farm, deep in the piney woods of East Texas. When he's not touring or teaching guitar or leading a songwriting workshop, you'll most likely find him wheeling and dealing in vintage guitars, and reeling in big catches with daughter Kate on the seven-acre lake hidden in the woods at the song farm.
Lindy welcomes opportunities to lead songwriting workshops on a variety of related topics. Favorite venues to play include house concerts, festivals, colleges, coffeehouses, churches, and community concert halls.
Contact him at www.lindyhearne.com OR at www.adlerandhearne.com
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