| 
 Long
Journey Home- 2008
This album is
the long awaited sequel to Karen Lynne & Pat Drummond¹s
Six
Days in December album, this time a completely acoustic effort,
called The
Long Journey Home. On the whole, this album is a celebration of
their time
spent working & touring together. The title; the stories collected
on their
travels; the CD artwork containing tour photos & maps
of places they¹ve
been, right down to it's dedication to the gig organisers &
venues, is a
celebration of that time. Unlike their first collaborative album,
which was
a selection of Country flavoured Œlove story' songs, this project
is a
collection of true stories, characters as well as some social comment
of the
type that Pat is well known for. The stories cover a vast scope,Š
a Truck
Driver on the Hay Plain, a reconciliation song based around a 2000
year old
tree on Mt Warning, and a reflection on Dreams and how we grow to
hold them
dear as we age. The album has some of Pat's great character based
songs
including Trevor the sculptor, David the backpacker, Bob Scott,
the spare
parts salesman and a standout is the poignant tale of extraordinary
forgiveness based around a mass murder that took place in the Amish
community, Pennsylvania a few years ago.
The sensitivity
of the stories is reinforced by wonderful acoustic
arrangements of guitar, mandolin, fiddle, even tin whistle &
accordian,
giving the album a feel that¹s much more on the Œfolkier¹
side of Australian
country music, a place Pat and Karen have always fitted in quite
comfortably. The credibility and depth that Pat brings to the project
as a
songwriter is balanced beautifully by the gentleness and emotion
of Karen's
voice. And, as usual with these two, the whole is more than the
some of the
parts. Supporters will find the subject matter to be far more complex
than
they may have expected from any Karen Lynne album, yet significantly
more
gentle and introspective than we have come to expect from a Pat
Drummond
project. It¹s this interaction that gives added credibility
to Karen as an
artist and in turn, a degree of sensitivity (perhaps even vulnerability)
to
Pat. Karen has this time left the task of songwriting entirely to
Pat this
time and instead has taken on the debut role of producer. This gives
the
music a very different feel to their first duet album which used
a seven
piece electric country band as the basis of the recording. Karen
has
harnessed her love of bluegrass and acoustic music to present these
songs in
a much gentler and sensitive way, some tracks pared down to only
Pat¹s
finger style guitar, bass and mandolin. Interestingly enough, this
is all
many of these songs require, as they are strong enough that they
need very
little to shine.
Unlike their
first album which contained only four duet tracks and a number
of primarily solo efforts, this album is a true duet album, featuring
intertwining melody & harmony, and often complex counterpoint
arrangements
involving each switching from melody to harmony in most songs.
 The
Singles - 2007
This
album is the sixth album in her impressive independent catelogue.
Titled "The Singles", this album is her first compilation
album, and
combines many of the Radio Singles released from all five previous
albums to
date in a most delightful package. Being Singles released to Australian
Radio, all the songs are top quality and present a genuine sample
of each of
the albums for anyone interested in seeking out a particular title.
Said
Karen, "It's been well over 20 years now since I started out
in my musical
career and after all those years singing and five albums I think
I've
earned my stripes' so to speak, and the right to present a compilation
album! I guess you could say it was a kind of Celebration' of my
years
singing and recording in the industry and a really nice summary
of me & my
musical journey so far. Also by using the Singles' released to radio
over
the years, it means that the listener gets a snippet of some of
the best
tracks from each of my albums, all on one disc" It is a
great album for first time fans who may not be familiar with her
many
styles. It has also been packaged for use as a great promotional
tool for
any Media personnel wishing to understand more about her music and
not only
contains 15 tracks, but includes a detailed Discography with biographical
&
album information, track chart placings, Award information for each
album
and a Video Clip as well.
Changes
- 2006
A stunning
Australian "Bluegrass & Acoustic" album which will
absolutely delight listeners and expand Karen's fanbase enormously.
From the gentleness and acoustic sweetness of the opening ballad
"We Should Only Have Time for Love", to the power and
strength of the opposing uptempo traditional bluegrass tracks such
as "Jealous", to the traditional acoustic and almost folky
feel of Phil Ochs "Changes", you know that this album
is very different and there is something very special happening
here.
Produced
by Rod McCormack & Herm Kovac, it is a much more contemporary
bluegrass album than her previous straight traditional bluegrass
album "Blue Mountain Rain". This project ventures much
deeper into the relms of the sound we expect and love from the more
contemporary bluegrass artists - such as Alison Krauss, who have
constantly pushed the boundaries of traditional bluegrass in recent
years. There are 13 tracks and a bonus track, comprising a good
balance of tempos from sweet acoustic ballads to strong uptempo
traditional bluegrass songs and as usual, it contains a couple of
songs from Karen's own hand. Both originals are co-writes, this
time with previous collaborator Heather Field and also with Richard
Porteous.
It
is beautifully packaged and combines exceptional production along
with Australia's 'A Team' of Bluegrass pickers - Ian Simpson (banjo),
Mick Albeck (Fiddle), James Gillard (Double Bass), Trev Warner (Mandolin)
and Rod McCormack (Guitar) and it is also the first ever collaborative
project from two of Australia's best producers - Rod McCormack &
Herm Kovac.
Song
Samples page under construction
Second
Wind - 2002
A wonderful
mix of country music, from the very traditional to the very contemporary.
The productions is exceptional, and the vocals simply shine amidst
superb instrumental arrangements which sparkle but do not overpower.
Produced
by Herm Kovac, it contains 14 tracks five Australia - three of which
are co-writes, along with a number of previously unreleased covers.
Most tracks are solo efforts but male vocals are added on two tracks
from Australian singe/songwriter Grant Richardson and traditional
roots music singer/instrumentalist Bill Chambers. An album with
a warmth, richness and maturity that showcases Karen at her "country
best" so far! Go to album page.
"From
the opening punch of "This Man I Love" it's evident that
something special is happening here ... fourteen tracks of terrific
listening" (Rick Jenner - Country Music Capital News Magazine
Nov 2002)
 Blue
Mountain Rain - 2001
A Bluegrass
album sporting two Top 10 chart hits so far, which has not only
created a land-mark in Australia by bringing Bluegrass into the
public eye, but which gives Karen the dis-tinction of being the
first Australian female artist to record a full Bluegrass Album.
A collaborative effort with Martin
Louis, Banjo player from Sydney Bluegrass Band "Acoustic Shock"
which contains a rich variety of Bluegrass songs from the traditional
up tempo tracks to those amazing full harmony slow tracks which
will just knock you over with their vocal quality and feeling. This
album was co-produced by Karen, Acoustic Shock banjo player Martin
Louis and James Gillard. Sporting 18 tracks, it is rich in variety
of tempo, vocal sound and instrumental work with tracks featuring
Karen firstly up front with Acoustic Shock supplying
the rich harmony backing, secondly singing duets with Martin and
also a few songs and instrumentals from Acoustic Shock themselves.
Although most of the tracks are familiar traditional songs there
is one stand-out original 'This Ring' which recently reached number
Five on the National Australian Country Music Chart and two other
Australian penned tracks. The instrumentation is mostly from Martin
and Acoustic Shock but also boasts guest appearances from many friends
who just happen to be some of Australia's leading Bluegrass players.
Go to album page
".As
long as you do not expect the high lonesome sound nurtured in the
mountains of Appalachia, you will not be disappointed by the music
on this (Australian) recording, which does show that the band takes
their Bluegrass seriously. This recording stands up well in the
genre of contemporary Bluegrass".. (Bluegrass Unlimited
Magazine - USA)
Six
Days In December - 2000
A collaboration with Australian singer/songwriter Pat Drummond,
this album is a rich pairing of two very different but complimentary
talents. Well known as a remarkable writer with a swag of awards
under his belt, Pat's strong vocal style blends beautifully with
Karen's sweet emotive delivery making this album one of precisely
balanced harmonies from two passionate performers. Produced by Rod
Coe, the album con-tains 11 all Australian tracks penned mostly
by Pat along with a couple of co-writes, it is a mix of duets and
solo efforts showcasing each of the singers in their own right.
Although Top class Country in style production, at times there shines
through a classic Country Folk style sound on a couple of the more
acoustic tracks. Go to album page.
"
(those) who are aware of Pat and Karen may expect something a little
on the folkier side of the line but overall this is Country at it's
best - sweet, bittersweet, simple, heartfelt, gentle, pure - and
it wraps around you with warmth and sincerity" ,.. (Jon
Farkas - Country Music Capital News Magazine)
 Labour
of Love - 1998
A wonderful debut album from a singer who took the Australian Country
Music industry completely by surprise, comprising of a delicate
mix of material that ranges from traditional and contemporary Country
through to Folk and Bluegrass flavours that showcase the purity
of Karen's voice perfectly.
Produced by Cletis Carr, the album contains 16 tracks, three of
which are strong co-writes and a couple of other Australian penned
tracks including a hauntingly beautiful version of the Henry Lawson
poem "Water Lilly" and an exceptional version of Enda
Kenny's "Colours of Australia". This album has received
much positive comment and with three Top 20 Charting singles it
has placed her as a high profile Independent artist with a bright
future. Go to album page
"'Impressed'
probably sums up my thoughts on the whole album - Karen's song writing,
song selection, vocals, along with the musicianship of the excellent
studio personnel - were all first class" (Anna
Rose, Country Music Capital News Magazine - Sept 1998)
|
