JENNI DALE LORD with STEVE LOTT
The long running question about 'nature vs. nurture' can often arise when it comes to music. Is there something about the Mississippi Delta water or the prominent hard times of racism that resulted in most of the great blues pioneers rising from that fertile ground? And what about Texas...is it the innate "attitude" or is there something about the soil that sprouts so many great musicians and songwriters?
Jenni Dale Lord grew up in Lubbock, TX...the same Lubbock that claims Buddy Holly, Mac Davis, Natalie Maines, Delbert McClinton, Joe Ely and a host of others. She's not on those lofty plains just yet but if history has it's way her songwriting and majestic voice may put her on the path that will one day include a road sign just for her. The songs are strong, heartfelt in one breath and whiskey soaked with "don't fuck with me I'm from Texas" attitude in the next. The 'red-dirt' Texas country sound has a life of it's own outside the watered down, adolescent pap that has become Nashville country music and singer/songwriters like Jenni Dale Lord reap the benefits. That's a good thing...country music should be more of an attitude and less a commercial for beer, trucks and misogyny.
There's no doubt these songs can stand on their own and that Jenni Dale Lord can sit on a barstool by herself and more than adequately convey the softness of a song like 'Out of the Blue.' When your playing a 'home game' you can add a full band and all of the texture that allows...when you're on the road with the inherent costs of lugging around musicians you had better have a repertoire that holds up on it's own. Bringing a guitar slinger like Steve Lott along not only adds a substantial layer of texture it also adds a layer of comfort for an up and coming musician 1000 miles from the comforts of home. Lott is a seasoned pro that has mentored many young performers on professionalism, performance art and structure.
Where Jenni Dale Lord separates herself from a crowded pack is sheer attitude and confidence in her material and that comes back to the West Texas roots. She's brash but not cocky. She can deliver the 'cheap motel' pulp novel score 'Free Whiskey' with a sweet innocence that's almost humorous and entirely believable and then flip to an all-to-familiar relationship gone bad saga like 'Already Gone' with ease. Melodic songs with tight, biting lyrics delivered with power, confidence and woman-in-charge chutzpah...gotta love that!
Jenni Dale Lord
Jenni Dale Lord - guitar, vocals
Steve Lott - guitar, vocals
The Session Crew
Produced and edited by:
Bill Hurley
Cameras:
Ellen Snyder
Bill Hurley
H. Nat Stevens
Joanne Craig
Audio:
Eric Nordstrom
Connor Quigley
Mixed by:
Connor Quigley
Lighting/Special Effects:
Rick Smith
Stage Production:
Gerry Earabino
Photos:
Dan Busler Photography
