Lynne Hanson
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Music
Press
Lynne aims her songs directly at your musical heart with the marksmanship of an Annie Oakley shot. I didn’t stand a chance from the moment I first put these songs in the Car CD player where it still remains unchanged for now the 7th day in a row. With the added bonus of Lynn Miles singing harmony on several tracks, I just cant say for sure when I’ll ever remove this CD from its reining spot in the car player. - Brian Schmuck - owner Uncle Waldo's Coffeehouse - Brian Schmuck
"Lynne's first release is a stunning collection of roots-based songs coupled with exceptional vocals and an impressive array of musicians. Every year at KVMR-FM, we're asked to choose our Top 5 new releases for air play. Things I Miss will surely be on my list!" - Dennis Brunnenmeyer, Nevada City Limits, KVMR-FM Radio - KVMR-FM Radio
Why is it that you often learn about some of the best things after you’ve left a place? I grew up in Ontario, but I never heard of Ottawa’s Lynne Hanson. Well, now I have, and I can tell you that I’ll be doing my best to book her for a fall house concert.
Lynne Hanson’s 2006 debut release “Things I Miss” has all of the best pieces of a solid acoustic recording icluding great lyric-centered tunes, fantastic vocals, and complimenting instrumentation. Lynne’s voice has a smoothness that is reminiscent of Anne Murray, K.D. Lang, and Joni Mitchell. She has a wonderful warmth and familiarity in her lyrics that draws you in front of her fire (a great quality for house concerts).
It’s not hard to mention a few worthy tracks on the album. “Fell Down a Wishing Well” speaks of only being able to come back the way that you came. We’ve all been there. “Different Story” is a killer love song with a sweet melody and harmonies. It’s about the final moment between a couple with a failed relationship. It’s so heartbreaking, yet I never want the song to end. “Things I Miss” speaks of time spent searching for something that you thought you needed when it was there all along.
Well, even if you think that life has passed you by, don’t miss getting your hands on Lynne’s CD and/or booking her for your next house concert. Visit ww.lynnehanson.com for more. - Julian West
"Like an old friend checking in after a long absence, there's a rolling, open road accessibility to Lynne Hanson's music that I find very old school and refreshing. Again and again I have listened to Things I Miss (I'm listening while writing this) and each song stays with me, engaging me to leave the disc in the player and to hell with whatever else might come down the pike.
Hailing from Ottawa, Hanson's mature blend of earthy, neighborly vocals, intelligent, lived-in lyrics, and folksy, bluesy roots music provides her listeners with a rest area off the road to reflect and dream before carrying on with the busy doings of another day.
With their sympathetic playing, guitarists Paul Bourdeau and Fred Guignon, bassist Pat Giunta, percussionist Ross Murray, fiddler Greg T Brown, dobroist Doug Cox and backing vocalist Lynn Miles make any of these eleven originals, and a mature reading of Wayfaring Stranger satisfying to the heart, the mind, and the soul. Though I obviously have my favorite tracks: I Won't Ask Why, River by My Side, Porch Light, Little Stage Fright, Different Story, Wayfaring Stranger, any and all of these songs give the journeyman in us all a little respite." - Mike Jurkovic
"I ordered this music expecting just another release from another folksinger.Whoa,this is different. Lynne has a distinctively mellow voice (reminds me of Terri Gibbs)with which she interprets original music that fits her voice perfectly. Had to pick two tracks for regular play on our community radio station; its all so good, couldn't decide, so we're airing four." - Dave McCormack - CJMQ
Lynne Hanson hails from Ottawa, and with her debut album "Things I Miss" reveals a style that will go down well with fans of many of her better-known contemporaries such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, Mary Gauthier, Caroline Herring, or Lynn Miles. In fact, the latter can also be heard on Hanson's 'first born': Lynn Miles provides backing vocals on "I Won’t Ask Why", "Fell Down A Wishing Well", "Quarter To Five" and "Things I Miss."
In "Things I Miss," Hanson presents an interesting combination of elements from Americana, country, folk, blues and jazz — offering us 12 songs that are for the most part self-penned. Hanson co-wrote some of the numbers with Brent Duquette and/or her guitarist of choice Paul Boudreau. His "River By My Side" and the classic "Wayfaring Stranger" are the only tracks Hanson was not involved in writing. Her version of "Wayfaring Stranger" takes the beautiful song to new heights of desolation thanks to Fred Guignon's lap steel.
Other impressive moments? Just as we have often found in the past with offerings from the female artists mentioned above, it is rather difficult to pinpoint true highlights. That said, "Things I Miss" deserves a special mention for its consistently high quality. Whether it's the earlier Americana-influenced songs such as "I Won’t Ask Why", "Fell Down A Wishing Well" and the somber "Porch Light", a bluesy little gem like "River By My Side" or the ultimate country style of "Pushed To Black", with her impassioned delivery and her sharp lyrics, Hanson really knows how to satisfy a listener. But if we had to choose one number that stands out a little more than the rest it would be the truly heartrendingly beautiful "Different Story". Against the background of an acoustic guitar and Dobro, the song depicts the definitive breakdown of a relationship. From the very first line, we picture ourselves as the broken man sitting in a bar signing the divorce papers given to him by his almost-ex. Without doubt one of the most beautiful songs we've heard this year! An extremely enjoyable outing! - Ctrl.Alt.Country.com
It's a breath of fresh air just like last year's My Remembrance Of You by Diana Jones, and you just have to applaud Lynne Hanson's debut. Both were produced in complete freedom from the pressure of commercial deadlines and the only expectations imposed were those of the artists themselves.
The entire album exudes purity and coherence, leaving the listener with the sense that everything simply fell perfectly into place during recording. Lynne Hanson wrote the lion's share of the beautifully poetic songs, collaborating with Paul Bourdeau on some numbers. The album includes some cover tracks, including a truly first-rate take on the ultimate classic "Wayfaring Stranger". Other impressive features of this offering include a turn by guitar maestro Fred Guignion (Kathleen Edwars & Ian Tamblyn) and backing vocals from Lynn Miles, who also hails from Canada.
Harry’s Plato often speaks of the mediocre relationship between beauty and sales. In the first instance, this CD is particularly tasteful and diverse, and bears all the hallmarks of the passion of a skilled team. If you recognize these valuable characteristics and take the opportunity to sample the sound yourself, the right impulses will follow naturally. Classical music from a place where the world is still pure. - Plato NL - RvdB
I'm stunned! Received the copy of "Things I Miss" yesterday. It's recordings like this that leave me so infatuated with what I do. There is not a song on the CD that I wouldn't play on the air, and over time they will all be played. - host, Henry Hallett
River by my Side, from this disc, won the Blues Award for the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals 2006 "Songs from the Heart" contest. Not a bad debut for the Ottawa singer-songwriter. It's deserved, too. Hanson has a countryish-bluesy, warmth and personality to her voice and this disc is recorded simply and cleanly to showcase that quality. Lynn Miles' background vocals add to that warmth and Paul Bourdeau and Fred Guignion provide some tasty guitar licks. Other tracks well worth checking out are Pushed to the Black, Different Story, and the title track. - Barry Hammond
"Her writing is mature and her lyrics flow in an almost conversational manner, which is wholly engaging. Time and again she displays a genuine understanding - and compassion - for human frailties, whether brought about by the actions of others or self inflicted"
"In summary, a most enjoyable album from a new singer songwriter, and one from which we will surely be hearing a lot more in the near future." - Maverick Magazine (UK)
Discography
Once The Sun Goes Down *independent Sept 2010
Eleven Months *independent Sept 2008
#14 EuroAmericana Chart Sept 2008
Now Thats Americana OK vol1 compilation (Cold Touch)
Things I Miss *independent Sept 2006
River By My Side (Things I Miss) – 2006 Blues Award Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF)
Pick of the Month August 2006 - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC Radio One)
Title track was chosen as one of the best songs of 2006 by the Indie Acoustic Music Project.
Photos
Bio
"Canadian songbird, Lynne Hanson is yet another from her homeland making an impression on the Americana roots scene. She looks set to be around for the long haul." - Maverick Magazine (UK)
Porch music with a little Texas Red Dirt
2010 Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award
2009 Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee
2009 Kerrville New Folk Finalist
2009 Rose Garden Coffeehouse Performing Songwriter Finalist
2008 Mountain Stage New Song Canadian Finalist
LYNNE HANSON
Once The Sun Goes Down
Once The Sun Goes Down a bright new star rises. Meet Lynne Hanson. This Ottawa-based singer/songwriter is poised to light up Canada’s roots music landscape with this compelling new album. She is justifiably proud of it, calling it the fullest expression yet of her artistic voice. “I am willing to live or die by this record,” Hanson declares.
Spend some time with this record, and it will burrow deep into your heart, never letting go. Hanson’s poetic and passionate songs are neatly framed by an all-star supporting cast. Her core band comprises multi-instrumentalist David Baxter (Justin Rutledge, Bob Snider), drummer Blake Manning (Blue Rodeo), bassist Brian Kobayakawa (Creaking Tree String Quartet) and keyboardist Jason Sniderman (Blue Peter). Making invaluable contributions are Justin Rutledge (banjo), Gilles Leclerc (mandolin, backing vocals), Kevin Fox (cello), Paul Reddick (harmonica), Roman Tome (percussion), and background vocalists Lynn Miles, Jack Marks, Max Heinemann, and Joshua Cockerill.
Baxter produced, recorded and mixed Once The Sun Goes Down at his knob & tube studio in Toronto. “We worked together so well,” says Hanson. “David pointed me in the right direction though I never felt pushed. The sessions were actually great fun. For me to play with that caliber of musician is just a joy. It means you bring your A game, as you want to show your best.”
In turn, Baxter was highly impressed with Hanson’s talent and work ethic. “Lynne means every word she sings. She uses traditional song forms and stories to tell a very personal story. A terrific, direct singer and a great guitar player. If she was a boxer, they'd say she punches above her weight.”
The warm and intimate vibe of their sessions is neatly captured here. It’s a musically rich record, but the centre of attention is always Hanson’s hauntingly pure vocals and emotionally eloquent songs. Reference points for her country-folk rooted style include Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams, though, intriguingly, Hanson only began listening to those artists once the comparisons kept coming up. “It may be that I just listened to the same stuff they did,” she says.
Hanson’s early love of jazz was later replaced by bluegrass and traditional country, while teenage years included singing and playing Neil Young songs at home. If pressed, Lynne will describe her sound as “porch music with a little Texas red dirt. I write these songs on acoustic guitar in my kitchen. I want them to sound like the original concept, except with a band. I call it porch music, as it’s like everyone in the neighborhood comes over and brings their instruments.”
It is hard to fathom that Hanson only began writing her own songs five years ago. She released a well-received debut album, Things I Miss, in 2006, followed by 2008’s internationally-acclaimed Eleven Months. Lynne credits fellow songsmith Paul Bourdeau as a mentor, and he co-wrote five of the new tunes. Traveling the international folk circuit has kept Hanson’s muse fired up. “The more I am around great songwriters the more I learn about how to try to be a good songwriter,” she says.
There’s no cause to be modest about songs as strong as those on Once The Sun Goes Down. Many of them have been strip-mined from Hanson’s personal life, and she dissects matters of the heart with scalpel-like precision. She calls “Three Times Bent” “the story of my emotional life over the past five years. Music has saved me during a very difficult time personally.”
The album takes the listener on an emotional rollercoaster ride, beginning with the anguish of “When Lovers Leave,” moving through the hesitancy of “Here We Go Again” and ending on an optimistic note with “Lilacs Dancing” (“you answered the call and turned my heart around”). The most character-driven song here is the powerful tale of “Mary Mary.” “Every record needs a good murder ballad,” laughs Lynne.
Appearances in the Finals of the New Folk Competition at [famed Texas folk festival] Kerrville, an unofficial showcase at South By Southwest in Austin and appearances at Folk Alliance in Memphis last year brought unanimously positive audience responses. These have been duplicated at her frequent appearances at folk festivals and clubs in Europe and the U.K. in recent years. Whether solo or opening up for such folk greats as Dar Williams, Hanson’s relaxed and warm persona has won fans at every stop. No surprise that she is now in real demand on the house concerts circu
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