This is Lolene's sophomore CD. This is usually a make or break in an artist's career. For Lolene, it was simple, change direction and use of some top songwriter's material. Her first effort " Lonely Dealins' " was an excellent traditional country to Nashville country debut. Did well in the European market.
 

   EYA is a much more eclectic affair and Lolene knew what she wanted. She wanted to tap into a more modern and rock flavored recording. Her vocal style is much more that of a pop rock singer, losing a lot of her Kentucky accent from her first recording. The vocals are more disciplined and just as emotive as ever. The songs range from new country, southern rock, pop to one just plain rock tune. She has a collection of very good material I must emphasize.
 

   Danny Parks, mostly known around Nashville for his guitar playing as a veteran sessions player is the Producer. This is his first time in the producer's chair for a full recording, recorded at his home studio near Nashville. Not only that, he is the engineer and mixing engineer. 
 

   Assembling a crack sessions band; primarily Owen Hale on drums (previous drummer for Lynryd Skynryd), David Hungate on bass ( very sought after Nashville sessions player whose roots are in jazz and is a very innovative bass player), Mike Johnson on steel and Kim Parent, one of many background vocalists. Put Park's guitar and dobro playing on top of this heavy weight rhythm section and you have the canvas for Lolene's vocals. There are several other musicians and singers in the mix, but this is the backbone.
 

   So what comes out. Well, you have two excellent southern rockers in "Concrete Ribbon" and "Cleanup". The title track "Everything You Are" is a very nice pop sounding number with the band blending a sound reminiscent of "Steely Dan".
   This reviewers favorite tracks are "Life Less Ordinary", a beauty of a country rocker with some great lyrics full of imagery. Danny plays some incredible guitar parts on this song. I also love "Let Me Love You", a slow modern country ballad which Lolene sings with her own personal bent of taking the angle of the lyrics as coming from the Lord to the listener, which really works. The backup vocals are incredible, especially as the song fades out with the vocals going almost to a whisper. Hungate's bass interacts well with Parks and there is some great steel from Mike Johnson. 
   A great acoustic country song with some neat syncopated rhythms and some great acoustic guitar parts is "We Can Find Our Way". Very nice dobro on this song.
   The CD closes out with two great tunes, a country rocker "You Rock" which cooks and has some awesome lyrics. The sound quality of this disc is very good, rich sounding, no distortion, mastered well by Marty Shrabel of AHA Productions, who also plays bass on a couple of tracks.
   The final song "Relentless" is a flat out rocker. Park's and Johnson interact well on this hard driving rocker. Lolene's vocals are strong.
 

   In closing, I can't leave out the beautiful  artwork on the cover of the CD. It is a painting of Lolene with a guitar in a farm setting, very tasteful. This is a strong effort overall which I can't really attach to any genre', but definitely has country flavor with a lot of attitude.
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Lolene

"Everything You are"

By Suzanne Smith

Lace & Denim Music

 

    Although I don't taut myself as a music review writer, as a song writer I do know and appreciate good singing, musical arrangements and song lyrics. Listening to Lolene's latest album several words came to mind such as, "wow!", excellent", "beautiful" and "unique" to name a few. From the choice of material to the distinct sound of Lolene's vocals and on down the line to the the brilliant musicians, back up vocals and production of the album by Danny Parks, this is to me by far a combined effort of excellence by all involved.

    Let's take an adventure through the songs beginning with the lead track, "Concrete Ribbon." Lolene's vocals truly shine on this song. Very strong with that typical "Lolene" attitude of all of her recordings. It rocks both vocally and instrumentally with some great lyrics. Next, one of my favorites, "A Life Less Ordinary" beautifully weaves a story of a desire to make some changes in life. A fun song lyrically. "Clean Up' has a great beat and once again, strong vocals on Lolene's part. A real sassy, toe tapping song and another of my favorites.

    "Let Me Love You", a beautiful love song which demonstrates Lolene's unmistakable sultry, smoky vocals and range. This song's beauty and intensity combining her style and the wonderful instrumentals left me with chills. Brilliant lyrics with picturesque lines like, "you're the desert  I'm the rain" lend warmth and depth to the story within the song. A definite A+ in my book. I love this one. Next, the title track, "Everything You Are" stands out as a true romantic ballad. Haunting, strong lyrics and a wonderfully orchestrated arrangement and  lovely melody. A very easy listening song, smooth and simply beautiful both vocally and instrumentally.

    Picking up the tempo with "Hold Out For Love", a message of waiting for the right and perfect love to come along. A wonderful joint effort on behalf of the writers, Danny Parks and Gail Davies and complimented by Lolene's vocals and style along with the great instrumentals and arrangement. "Love Is What You Had" is a touching song of love lost. A perfect example of, "you don't know what you had until you've lost it", this song spins a circle on that phrase with lines like, "love is what you had, love is what you lost. Now you want it back......" "The Same Moon" has a great story line and lyrics. Just one of LaBountry and Mclaughlin's great joint efforts found on this album. A very smooth song.

    "We Can Find Our Way" has some wonderful guitar playing complimenting the vocals and lyrics. Once again, Lolene's vocals shine on this one. "You Rock" is a fun up beat song. Country with a real pop flavor and great lyrics. Lolene and the musicians really deliver on this one. Wonderful keyboard and dobro add some spice to this song. 

    Ending the album is "Relentless" written by Danny Parks and Bill LaBounty. Opening slow with Lolene's smooth, sultry delivery, it crescendos into a strong chorus with great vocals from Lolene and the back up singers. Parks did some beautiful guitar picking throughout the song and on the instrumentals solos on this one.

    This album is a great listening adventure. Truly unique with a diverse selection of songs that showcase Lolene's superb vocals. The writers, musicians, backup vocals and musical arrangements are excellent. Production by Danny Parks, a brilliant musician, is second to none. He really proved he has yet another hat to wear sitting in the producer's seat. This album is Lolene at her finest, complimented by all of  the talented people behind the songs.
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Yes, you could go on about the tone or texture of this CD
and her voice.. or just go get it.. Another great CD to
listen to and enjoy!
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This was the second album and as was stated in the release notice that announced the album's release, "Lolene weaves a story of love that endures and strengthens as lovers confront life's many triumphs and tragedies.  If you listen closely, you will detect the personal sorrow and joy of Lolene's life threaded throughout this tapestry of song."  As for me, I call it a really good album of 11 more fine songs from Lolene!
     Lolene did not write any of these 11 songs, but she sure picked some winners to put on the disc.  My favorites are "Concrete Ribbon" by Rick Wayland, Keith Sewell, & Maia Sharp, and three songs from Bill LaBounty; "Cleanup" which he wrote with Greg Prestopino, "You Rock", co-written with Pat McLaughlin, and "Relentless", which was done with Danny Parks.  Mr Parks, by the way, also gets credit for being the producer and engineer on the project, as well as the acoustic and electric guitar player.  In fact, the whole band sounds real good on all these tracks!
     "Concrete Ribbon", the first track on the album, and "Relentless", the last track, are very unique songs because they have the driving beat of real toe tappers and yet they also have a real bluesy chord structure that gives it an almost "jazz done Honky-Tonk style" kind of feel to it.  Good stuff I promise you'll like!  "Cleanup" and "You Rock" are both excellent Rockabilly, toe tapping, dancin' songs that will have your feet moving!!
     The other songs I liked best, were "Let Me Love You", a really beautiful slow ballad by Jamie Richards & Ronna Reeves; the title song, "Everything You Are", another Bill LaBounty/Danny Parks contribution and which is a soft, mid-tempo love song; "Hold Out For Love", another Danny Parks song, this one written with singer/songwriter Gail Davies, and a song by Rick Giles, Tim Nichols, & Gilles Godard titled "Love Is What You Had."
     So, Lolene may have picked them for what they represented to her, but for me, they are a collection of very good songs, sang by Lolene's strong, unique voice, and backed by a band of excellent musicians.  This is an album to have in your collection!  Sure am glad I've got mine!!
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