Catch Hanson at open mic night

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Ottawa singer-songwriter Lynne Hanson will bring her unique brand of music, merging thought-provoking lyrics with Texas soul-country, to Berwick July 27.

She is the featured artist at that night’s Union Street Café’s open mic kitchen party.

Hanson’s stop in Berwick winds down her inaugural tour of Canada’s East coast music scene: 1,400 miles to make 10 shows in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island from July 19 to 29.

Since the release of her debut “Things I Miss” CD last September, Hanson’s work has been attracting critical praise. The track, "River By My Side," received the 2006 Blues Award from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and the title track was judged one of the best songs of 2006 by the Indie Acoustic Project. Hanson has been getting airplay on CBC, on community college radio in Canada, the United States and Europe; and the title track is in medium rotation on CBC's Galaxie.

The youngest in a family of eight children, Hanson credits her musical style to exposure to diverse musical eras and styles while growing up. Her collection of roots-based songs captures a moment in time and invokes an exploration of the universal themes of love, life and relationships and her good-natured, down-to-earth “coffeehouse approach” is a perfect fit for the personable Union Street venue.

Prior to the release of her CD, Hanson spent five years performing and honing her musical skills in Ottawa coffeehouses and bars and at festivals across Canada. She has toured with Ruth Stewart Verger, providing musical support for the storyteller.

In February, Hanson shared the stage with Coco Love Alcorn, a musician with Berwick roots who also made a recent appearance at the Union Street.

“When I performed with Coco at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield, Quebec a few months back, she was fabulous,” praised Hanson, who says she is looking forward to introducing her music to Maritime audiences.