Loretta Lynn

"Van Lear Rose"

CD, Interscope Records, April 2004

Looks like Jack White has done for Loretta Lynn what Rick Rubin did for Johnny Cash. Rick Rubin made Johnny Cash's American Recordings damn classic and got a whole new generation listening. Gave them an education. Well, Mr. White Stripes has produced and arranged this CD and even sings and plays a bit on a few tracks. Whether this ends up being as successful as the Johnny Cash recordings is yet to be seen, but it definitely deserves it. The storytelling is classic. The tunes are varied and all sound great. Like Johnny Cash, the "country" isn't sacrificed. If anything it is expanded and experimented with to the extent this should no doubt win some music awards. My favorite track is "Have Mercy", because it flat out kicks ass. It is probably the most bluesy, most rocking, most White Stripes influenced track. Pushing Loretta to that limit is a fantastic thing. There are no weak tracks, whether updating old sounds, playing bluegrass, roots country, 60s rock or just plain rocking. A fascinating listen.

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