Search - Lynn Miles :: Night in a Strange Town

Night in a Strange Town
Lynn Miles
Night in a Strange Town
Genres: Folk, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

In a stream of pure lyrical and vocal heat, folk music's recent past and likely future flow from Lynn Miles's second Philo release. "I could go anywhere / My soul is on fire / And a wind is blowing through my heart"--so be...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Lynn Miles
Title: Night in a Strange Town
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Philo / Umgd
Original Release Date: 1/12/1999
Release Date: 1/12/1999
Genres: Folk, Pop
Styles: Traditional Folk, Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriters
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 011671121529, 011671121543

Synopsis

Amazon.com
In a stream of pure lyrical and vocal heat, folk music's recent past and likely future flow from Lynn Miles's second Philo release. "I could go anywhere / My soul is on fire / And a wind is blowing through my heart"--so begins this cycle of fully haunted visions. Those who know Miles will marvel at Larry Klein's percussion-rich production (reminiscent of his best work with Joni Mitchell) as well as the density of Miles's ever-maturing songcraft. Her language has become deeply personal without sliding into confessional excess. "This is a song about the way life is / The way it rises and it falls / The way that mysteries move faster in the night / The way that secrets live in walls," she sings in what should be the album's single, "The One You're Waiting For." For those who've found kindred spirits in Mary Black, Holly Cole, and Shawn Colvin and yet desire a further, fresh imagination, Miles may be the one you're looking for. --Roy Kasten

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CD Reviews

A woman's gotta know her limitations
05/14/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)

"I loved "Slightly Haunted," a wonderful album that got lost in a great year for female singer/songwriters. I wouldn't characterize it as a better album than "A Few Small Repairs," "This Fire," or "Living with Ghosts," but I have probably listened to it more. I love her voice -- warm, plangent, and somewhat edgy in a very human way, and she has a gift for catchy, memorable melodies. Miles is a performer whose weaknesses -- occasional rough bendings of her voice over the melodic turns and an apparent inability to distinguish grimace-producing cliches from real lyrical insights -- are almost as endearing as her gifts. That said, this album is less satisfying than "Slightly Haunted." Larry Klein's glitzy, high-powered production tends to call attention to Miles's missteps rather than glossing them over, and her songwriting this time out doesn't quite measure up to the quality of "SH." "This is a song about the way life is" may be the worst opening line of any song I've heard this year. But the lovely voice and melodic gift are still there. And Miles saves the best for last: "Rust," with just that voice, her simple piano, and her deeply felt, exquisitely chosen words, is damn near perfect. Lynn, sometimes less is more."
A must have -- every song is great!
D. Hill | Falls Church, VA USA | 05/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Lynn open for I think Luka Bloom earlier this year at The Barns at Wolf Trap. She is great live so go see her. I originally bought the CD (at the show) to share with my brother who so often turns me on to new singer/songwriters he's discovered. But it's so great I can't part with it, so am buying one for him plus several more as other gifts. Actually, I can't stop listening to it! I wholehearterdly agree with comments of all the other reviews posted so far. A must have for anyone who's into Lucy K., John Gorka, Richard Shindell, Kim Richey, etc etc.!"
Ottawa Girl Makes Good
mark munger | Duluth, Minnesota United States | 01/03/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I stumbled into Lynn Miles by accident. My kids were driving me nuts so I took a "time out" and went to a local coffee house for a break from family life. Lynn was the musician on stage and her vocals and guitar playing blew me away. I'd never heard of her but have now purchased all three of her more recent albums. "Night" is supposed to be the weakest of the three. Frankly, I couldn't tell and the stuff on the disk is so much better than most of the [stuff] on the radio, it really doesn't matter how it stacks up against her other work. But, even upon comparison, it's a great record."