Lynne Hanson - Just a Poet (2024)

Roots music, rough-around-the-edges folk. Canadian songwriter Lynne Hanson prefers “porch music with a little red dirt.” Hanson's songs are like a favorite pair of jeans. They're faded and worn through in spots, with a bit of honestly-acquired grit ground into the seams. This Ottawa-based artist starts with the absorbing beat drive of “Outlaw Lover,” which recalls Peggy Lee’s vocal tempo in her classic live take with Benny Goodman in 1943 of “Why Don’t You Do Right.” It’s a nice smoky seductive voicing. It’s caught up comfortably in a steady evocative tone & a facilitator of a ‘40s style composition. The arrangement’s deliciously tight & melodic.

But there’s more — the real root of the song follows the same progression as Richard Farina’s 1966 tune “Hard Lovin’ Loser,” as performed by Judy Collins. But with Lynne’s nourished Madeliene Peyroux illuminating & comforting tone the song is elevated to a jazzy lounge performance that shimmers.

The 12-track Just a Poet was produced by Jim Bryson & superbly recorded in Ontario, Canada. The songs have what many artists fail to include in their music – they aspire to it, but seldom incorporate mood, atmosphere & ambiance. Lynne’s (lead vocals/percussion) music is saturated with these — respectfully & consistently.

Artistically, Lynne’s arithmetic in her melodies, vocal, poetic lyrics & musicianship add up to quite an engaging showcase. Nothing grates the ears; nothing is sweetly tossed off & nothing’s raw. It’s all fascinating & ambitious with well-defined tales tied in an arresting blend of vocal personality.
Comparisons? Well, there’s Ms. Peyroux for sure, Kathleen Edwards, a little of 1999’s Cindy Bullens (her Somewhere Between Heaven & Earth LP) & a touch of Heather Nova (“London Rain,” “Heart & Shoulder”) & the creativity of the late Laura Nyro (on Lynne’s “About Yesterday”). But Ms. Hanson has shaped her distinctive style effectively. She’s her own person.

Her impression doesn’t borrow from hard driving instrumentation as much as an honest performance with more personality than technique. She’s not a Janis Joplin or Barbra Streisand but that’s not required here. Lynne is not a tenderfoot in the music business – she has a respectable track record. The authenticity is well-woven. Each song whets the appetite for more.

Some writers have said Lynne has an indie flavor. I don’t think so. Not anymore. Her voice is pristine, the songs are thick with a classy style (“Rubik’s Cube”) & the production on these tunes is never thin or shoddy. No. Ms. Hanson is an artist who could go mainstream. She has a lo-fi traditional tone to her voice that helps her to sing new material with a personal touch & standards without drama. It’s what Peggy Lee built a career from.