Loretta Lynn Rocks

A producer at work said “I’ve got something for you that just came in across the transom from Interscope. I really don’t like it but I think you will.” He handed me an advance cd from the upcoming release of Van Lear Rose from Loretta Lynn. It features Lynn backed and produced by Jack White from The White Stripes.

White is the one of latest in a long line of Motor City white boys with attitude, part of a DNA strand that includes the MC5, Iggy Pop, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, Eminem, Kid Rock, et al. I think he has it over all of those excepting Mr. Pop in that his aesthetic of minimal low-tech sound and high white electric guitar noise is unmatched by few this side of Quicksilver Messenger Service. His band The White Stripes, which features Meg White on drums and Jack on guitar—no bass, keyboards or other non-minimalist kerfuffle, get it? has given us some of the most bracing new rock and roll in a mostly barren recent era. Aside: If we can force regime change in Iraq why can’t we eliminate the effeminate pimp-rolling spawn of the Boy Bands? But I digress.

Loretta Lynn of course is the pride of Butcher Holler Kentucky, master of the longsuffering wife done wrong, writer and tireless performer of Country hits since 1960. Her amazing journey from hardscrabble Appalachia to Grand Ole Opry royalty was immortalized by Hollywood in “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, Lynn is the real deal, certainly one of the Country Music Pantheon up there carved in marble with Hank, Patsy, Johnny and others. But she’s always been the anti-Garth, taking acclaim on her own terms, and songs like “The Pill”, “Out of My Head and Back in My Bed”, “You Ain’t Women Enough To Take My Man” always kept her at a slightly dangerous and down-market arm’s length from the crossover pop-stardom of her heyday. In spite of her contrariness as a writer and performer, she’s been on top of record charts, best seller charts and is the only Country performer to have received Kennedy Center Honors.

And now, at age 69, she’s made a great rock record with the current enfant terrible of the current Alt scene. This sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard, even if my producer buddy tosses it off as sounding like ‘The White Stripes with Loretta Lynn.’ Sounds like brilliance, I thought, and upon listening it is.

For the first time since her very first album, Lynn wrote every song. This kicks ass. When it is officially released April 27 check out Van Lear Rose. It’s a real cultural Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and just as tasty.

Ping Ping Ping Ping Ping Ping.

Rankin’ Rob

Comments

[Velociman]

You forgot Grand Funk Railroad and Madonna as Motor City music phenomena. Myself, I've always eschewed Detroit acts as too blue collar for my high-bred, faux-elite tastes, except for the Iggy-man, of course. Bob Seger roils my bowels.

When it comes to Detroit music I go Motown, every time.

[Velociman]

I almost forgot: Loretta rocks.

[Da Goddess]

Ping! I'm working on a little something for you...

And, yeah. Loretta rocks.

[Mike]

Did Loretta ever do a song called "Paying for Your Raising" or something like that. If yes, where can I get song and lyrics. Thanks for any info you may be able to give.