A rootsy-alternative country album with a blend of wistful, blues tinged vocals, achingly beautiful lyrics, set in an acoustically driven force.

13 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Country Folk, COUNTRY: Modern Country



Details:
*****"That Girl's In Love" the single from the album "What Else Is New..." is now at #60 in the Canadian Country Music Charts, according to Country Music News in the June 2005 edition.**********

Winner of Best Country Music at the Toronto Independent Music Awards 2005!!!!

The Voice of Country Music in Canada February 24/05
DARCY LYNNE WARD
What Else Is New
Indie - DLW0-001
Produced by: J.K. Gulley
(with J. Richard Hutt)
(13 Selections - Playing Time 48:38)
What Else Is New / That Girl's In Love / Runaway Train / Thrill / 7 Yr. Rain / Cowgirl's Lullaby / Jealous Jane / Ain't Gonna Find Me / Neap Tide / Readin' My Heart / Fly Me To The Moon / Small Moves / Banks Of Clyde
Darcy Lynne Ward is a Victoria Harbour, Ontario (Georgian Bay), singer / songwriter who has teamed up with veteran songwriter/producer J.K. Gulley on this debut disc. Ten songs on the album are co-written by the Ward / Gulley combo.
The songs and the music are not mainstream country, but more a moody blues, alternative, with a Bobbie (Ode To Billy Joe) Gentry feel. Ward is able to deliver the songs with a strong, convincing vocal style; smooth when it needs to be, and biting where needed.
Several cuts have definite potential. The mid-tempo That Girl's in Love is a standout, as are the more funky Thrill, and the moody ballad, Small Moves. There's a good bounce to tunes like Jealous Jane and Readin' My Heart; while the heavy duty blues item Ain't Gonna Find Me, with a tasty piano intro, might suggest that Charlie Rich was one of Darcy Lynne Ward's 'inspirations'.
Darcy Lynn Ward also shows some Scottish roots, with two songs here, Neap Tide and Banks Of Clyde, coming complete with tin whistle and Highland Pipe accompaniment. It makes for an interesting diversion. Also included is a solid version of the cabaret classic Fly Me To The Moon, which had been countryfied, recently by Nashville's Lorrie Morgan.
J.K. Gulley's touches on the project are extensive. His production work (with J. Richard Hutt) is tasty and effective; his songwriting continues to be a major asset, and his impeccable guitar work rates with the best in the business. Having these talents so central to the overall project, makes this Darcy Lynne Ward album all that much more interesting and enjoyable.
What Else Is New was recorded at The Power Plant Studio, with J.K. Gulley's production and musical touches supported by an all-star cast of musicians including special guest Colin Linden on several of the key cuts.

Written by Larry Delaney, Editor of Country Music News




Review of "What Else Is New", a recording by Darcy Lynne Ward.

This is a very tasteful first recording by Ontario, Canada songstress Darcy Lynne Ward. The highlight is her warm, inviting voice and tender original lyrics. Her melodies range from rollicking to gentle lullabies which are very effective at relaxing the listener. Don't go to sleep though, you won't want to miss the rest of the recording. I particularly liked Cowgirl's Lullaby. It has that rare ability to carry the listener off somewhere else. I felt myself curled up by a warm fire in some remote area ready to sleep after a long day. Most of the songs are about love and relationships and winning and losing at the game of life. This is a multi influenced collection of songs with hints of country, pop and folk music throughout. Her song Neap Tide is traditional in feel but, contemporary in presentation. The bag pipe solo at then end of Banks of Clyde can send a shiver up the spine of the coldest hearted soul. Her covers are done so well they sound like originals. Runaway Train fits seamlessly into the flow and feel of the album. It is well recorded and the instrumentation is top notch. There are some terrific musicians making Darcy's voice and songs stand out above a lot of other performers in this field. Produced by Nashville veteran J.K.Gulley, this collection deserves to be listened to over and over again and played on the radio. For more information go to www.darcylynneward.com

Russ Musgrove
Mundy's Bay Folk Society