Winnie's Guitar
Lynne Patrick
One can't help but feel, when listening to Lynn Patrick's debut release Winnie's Guitar, the warmth and care that went into making the CD. The all-instrumental, (almost) all-acoustic recording, which is comprised of 10 short compositions, exudes friendliness throughout. The addition of bass, fiddle, and mandolin on several tracks helps to add some variation to the record. Patrick is clearly interested in creating a mood, rather than showing off, so those looking for virtuosic guitar playing would be advised to look elsewhere. Which isn't to say Patrick isn't a highly skilled guitarist. She clearly is, but the emphasis here is on the songs, rather than the performance.
Patrick has correctly chosen to keep the album running time rather brief (under 30 minutes). For, although the music here is certainly enjoyable, each of the tunes are in major keys, and all emphasize a folk-ish style, so a longer CD might have been redundant. If the rather brief running time doesn't bother you, you'll find Winnie's Guitar is a sunny, feel-good recording that'll undoubtedly lift your spirits.
