 |
BLUE STAR SHINES IN TEXAS! -
Donna Lynn Kay, do you remember her? Probably not many
Blues fans in Toronto do. Donna Lynn, originally from Sudbury,
ON, was just getting her Blues emergence together here
playing solo slide guitar and singing at a few small clubs
like Kokomo’s, the last place I saw her dazzle me with her
talent, before her husband Dave Musson’s work took them
down south to Austin, Texas. Like a few other gifted Canadian
ladies of the Blues before her, Sue Foley and Robin Banks,
Donna Lynn is now making a name for herself in the Blues music
scene down in the Lone Star state. Since arriving in Austin
four years ago, which she told me “has been a great musical
experience and very exciting for me”, she has been getting the
opportunity to travel and play all over Texas, including in-store performance at the famous Antone’s Record
store. |
|
|
She also got an
incredible invite one night to play with a band that included a few
living legends of the Blues, Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist,
Hubert Sumlin and Muddy Waters’ drummer Willie 'Big Eyes'
Smith and bassist Calvin Jones, What a session for her to
remember! Donna Lynn has finally just released her debut indie CD
titled 'electric blue' on Loose Moose Records and I
have to say what an impressive recording to have in my collection
and listen to. In the years she has been away her singing and slide
playing have become, as they say, 'The Blues'. No wonder
she’s getting so many gigs there. Moving to Austin gave her a
different life and though she still plays solo Donna Lynn now also
performs with a regular band as well and she recorded the 'electric
blue' CD with them. Of the nine tracks, seven are traditional
Blues songs and two are original ballad tunes written by Donna Lynn
and her husband of which the lyric of 'Take Me Dancing'
really moved me.Her innovative slide style, on both electric and acoustic National
guitars, make the classic Blues tunes her own because she has done
them her way and did not copy them straight from the original
records. Donna Lynn rocks out a fine version of Muddy Water’s 'Rollin’
and Tumblin' , then flows into 'Come On In My Kitchen' by the legendary Robert Johnson. The not so well known Blues
artist Robert Petway’s song 'Catfish Blues' is given
new life in Donna Lynn’s hands. One of best tracks is 'Nobody’s
Fault But Mine', originally recorded by 'Blind Willie'
Johnson in the prewar period. My favourite cut on the CD by
Donna Lynn is her interpretation of Eddie 'Son'
House’s 'Sundown', just her and her National Steel. The
last song on the disc, 'Goin’ Down To The River' was record
live, so you can understand why she is making such an impact in the
U.S.A.
As Donna Lynn says, “I don't think anyone can ever really replicate
the playing of the great masters, but that's not the point. The
secret is to find something of your own within the music.” I would
have to say this is very beautiful and tastefully done CD.
Donna Lynn Kay I know you slid away to Austin, but hopefully
someday soon, you must slide back up north and play your Blues for
us once again here in Toronto. I’ll be waitin’ with a bunch of Blues
fans.
Eddy B
MP3 -
Nobody’s
Fault But Mine
Donna Lynn Kay’s website:
www.DonnaLynnKay.com |
