Linda
Linda Lanier
Label: Three Hills Music Group Linda Lanier's partly self-titled recording Linda is a collection of ten songs written by Sandy Bloemer plus one written by Gina Vera ("Third Voice"). Lanier's bright toned alto vocals provide a consistent sound for this traditional Country flavored project. She sings in an expressive style. The accompaniment is adequate, but struck me as being a bit too generic on some tracks. What this CD really has going for it is consistency, though. If you like the first song, you're going to like the entire CD. Highlights include "There's a Miracle Coming," "Angels All Around," and "Sacrificial Lamb." My favorite track is "One Heavenly Time," where the opening verse gives Lanier a chance to stretch her vocal abilities. She can sing some low notes for a female...baritone range Ds below middle C, for example. "Ain't Gonna Lay It Down" has a 1950s gentle swing rhythm with some nice fills by pianist Dirk Johnson and guitarist Joel Key . I would recommend Linda to fans of Jessica King . Anne Murray fans might enjoy Lanier's recording as well. I say "might," because Lanier's vocal tone is quite different from Murray's...more brassy than smooth...but the overall laid back style of her music is in a similar vein. by David Bruce Murray
Rating: 3 1/2 STARS
Producers: Dale Duhl and Jimmy Tarbutton
Song Titles: "There's A Miracle Coming," "Addie Grace," "Third Voice," "Angels All Around," "Sacrificial Lamb," "One Heavenly Time," "Ain't Gonna Lay It Down," "The Beggar," "Somebody Here," "Prayer List," and "Let The Nations Sing"