Full Circle is Loretta's first studio album since 2004s exquisite collaboration with Jack White, Van Lear Rose. If it were anyone else it'd be hard to believe - to be recording some of her most innovative, interesting and vocally brilliant songs in her 80s. But when you're dealing with Loretta Lynn, it's hardly a surprise at all.
Taking from it's title, the album is almost aFull Circle is Loretta's first studio album since 2004s exquisite collaboration with Jack White, Van Lear Rose. If it were anyone else it'd be hard to believe - to be recording some of her most innovative, interesting and vocally brilliant songs in her 80s. But when you're dealing with Loretta Lynn, it's hardly a surprise at all.
Taking from it's title, the album is almost a retrospective of her career & life, but it's also looking forward with a couple of new songs towards the end.
The standout for me is the first song Loretta ever wrote, Whispering Sea. A lament of lost love and the other person moving on. The new arrangement and quality recording really lets it shine - and a superb opener. Remarkable this being one of the first songs she ever wrote, and aging so well. I think it speaks to her song writing talent, that hasn't wearied at all over her 60 year career. As the two closing numbers of the album (one a duet with Elvis Costello and the other with none other than Willy Nelson) are both originals. At very different ends of the spectrum, they sound modern yet have that classic, almost timeless quality that the high points of Loretta's song writing can reach. Lay Me Down is really something else.
There are new takes on some of her back catalogue - Fist City still packs a proverbial punch. And I wouldn't want to take on Loretta lest she grab me by the hair a the head and lift me off the ground!
Some of the most magical moments on the album are her interpretations of traditional country songs - Black Jack David speaks to her unsurpassed phrasing and fascinating interpretation on such an old song. I wonder if in some ways she's reflecting on her 45+ years with Doolittle. They married when she was 15!
I've never been the biggest fan of Always On My Mind, but I really appreciate Loretta's take on it. She's most certainly singing to Doolittle, and reflecting on their time together.
In The Pines is a solid number - the production by Patsy Lynn Russell & John Carter Cash takes it to another level. She uses her lower register & the deep, rich quality of her voice to bring the lyrics to life.
I Will Never Marry is another standout. The fragility of Lynn's voice, the journey of the song to the sad conclusion. She is a master story teller and there really is no one like her.
Can't wait for this year's Wouldn't It Be Great, and many more albums after.… Expand
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