| Bursting out of the windswept reaches of North Dakota guitarist singer songwriter Jennifer Lyn and her band, The Groove Revival, deliver a furious mix of roots, rock, and blues on their third release, Live From The Northern Plains. The ten-song set recorded at the historic Belle Mehus Auditorium in Bismark is an even mix of originals and inspired covers that showcases her mighty vocals and instrumental prowess that is turning heads across the country.
The veteran Groove Revival quartet of guitarist Richard Torrance, drummer Jim Anderson, keyboardist Barb Jiskra, and Nolyn Falcon on bass deftly back Lyn on a selection of fan favorites from the Allman Brothers, CCR, Bonnie Raitt and The Animals that match up well with the group’s own stylish tunes, allowing each member of the band a moment to shine.
Opening with the roaring twelve bar “Gypsy Soul,” which is also the title of her acclaimed second album, Lyn and crew set the tone for an evening of great music. Arguably Raitt’s biggest hit from 1972, “Love Me Like A Man,” is given the full band treatment with Torrance and Jiskra each taking fiery extended solos. The first of two Allman Brothers’ tunes “Midnight Rider” is beefed up with big vocal harmonies and a true to form instrumentation, while Lyn tackles both the challenging lead vocal and dual guitar leads of “Whipping Post,” with confident ease. She takes us to church for an emotive reading of the travelers’ prayer “As Long As I Can See The Light.”
The heavy organ and psychedelic swagger of “I Hope We Make A Change,” has a 70’s Steppenwolf and Deep Purple feel. Lyn and Torrance both stretch out on the lowdown blues “Going Round In Circles.” The spot-on cover of “House Of The Rising Sun” is a showcase from the group’s popular British Invasion tribute show. The set closes with two more of their own tunes, the groovy dual guitar showcase “Low Down Dirty Shame” and the gently swinging anthem “You Can Take It All” delivers a final message of hope and love.
Live From The Northern Plains from Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival is a great keepsake for those who have seen the band’s show and a great introduction to the new fans, who have yet to get the experience firsthand.
Rick J Bowen
BIOGRAPHY
The North Dakota based vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, engineer, and producer showcases the fiery soul of a woman immersed in the baptismal waters of rock ‘n’ roll. Her band, Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival, launched their first official album release which was an EP titled ‘Nothing Holding Me Down’ earning them four Independent Blues Music Awards nominations including “Best Blues Rock Band” and “Best Blues Rock Album” during 2022.
In 2023, the band released their second official release, an EP titled “Gypsy Soul”, which spent 16 weeks on the Roots Music Report charts, peaking at the #2 Blues Rock spot. The band also launched their first regional tour which consisted of several sold out shows in the upper Midwest.
Born and raised in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN, Jennifer Lyn was shaped by the music she absorbed from her parents’ vinyl collection during her childhood. She draws inspiration from various genres including rock, blues, R&B, and a touch of roots music. With a blend of classic rock undertones, the nostalgic songwriting spirit of the 70’s, and an abundance of reverb-drenched guitar solos accompanied by dual guitar moments, her band’s music promises to deliver that authentic old-school sound with a contemporary blues-rock twist. |
