Lynsey Dolan Band – Higher EP

It’s extraordinary to think, or realise, that it’s been fifteen years since the Glasgow based Lynsey Dolan band, quality purveyors of soul-blues (and splashes of jazz, gospel, funk and Americana-country), released their full-length debut album, Connection.
To be fair, the band’s trade is based, and reputation made, on the live circuit, where the impressively voiced Lynsey Dolan (a true double-threat singer, she has both the soul and the vocal belt) and her band shine under the performance spotlight, whether on the more intimate blues/ club circuit or at a packed festival.
And while Connection was an impressive offering, one that showcased all the aforementioned genres/ styles, it’s certainly not before time that Miss Dolan (vocals, piano, keyboards) and her talented bandmates – Gavin Bussey (guitar, backing vocals), Ian Fulton (bass) and Calum Wilson (drums) – presented new material.
And so to Higher, which can be seen and heard as a marker of where the band are now, and their evolution from the time of making that first Connection with their audience.
The EP opens with the funky, soul-blues tones of 'Heartsong.'
Sounding like a 60s song given a modern makeover, the infectious vocal melody and equally infectious voice of Lynsey Dolan play above the groove laid down by Messrs Fulton & Wilson. The tasty solo laid down by Gavin Bussey is the icing on the soul-food cake.
The up-tempo 'Miss Molly' is a short and sharp three minutes of fun rhythm & soul-pop blues that comes complete with a snappy B part and another nifty Gavin Bussey solo.
it’s also hard not to finger-click along to, or make you want to get your dancing shoes on.
The contemporary and soul-groovy 'Let It Burn' has a rhythm, and decidedly funky sound, all its own.
The song is bolstered by a strong chorus (which features a little call and "Burn!" answer), as well as a fun burst of scat vocal and guitar reply from Dolan and Bussey.
If 'Heartsong' reminded of the 60s, the grooving five-and-half minute title track is positively dripping in the snappy, Northern Soul beat of that decade (to the degree that you have to believe Lynsey Dolan was sporting a beehive hairstyle for the recording).
A sure fire floor filler, the song builds upon its staccato dance-beat, leading to a second half that has Dolan raising the ever "higher!" vocal bar, accompanied by some delightfully expressive guitar lines from Gavin Bussey.
Contrast then comes by way of 'Testify,' a song that carries the echoes, and a more restrained electric guitar twang, of folksy Americana/ country.
That the song, courtesy of the "ooh-ooh" & whistling parts, wouldn’t be out of place on a spaghetti western as the credits roll, just adds to its interesting sonic texture and charm.
Connection, which got a deserved digital re-release on Bandcamp earlier this year, was a very strong debut, one that caught some deserved attention.
But, to borrow from the title of the new EP, the hope now would be that this five track collection helps elevate the profile of the Lynsey Dolan Band even Higher.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Purchase the Higher EP (Digital & Limited Edition 12” Vinyl) and Connection here:
https://thelynseydolanband.bandcamp.com/album/higher
To be fair, the band’s trade is based, and reputation made, on the live circuit, where the impressively voiced Lynsey Dolan (a true double-threat singer, she has both the soul and the vocal belt) and her band shine under the performance spotlight, whether on the more intimate blues/ club circuit or at a packed festival.
And while Connection was an impressive offering, one that showcased all the aforementioned genres/ styles, it’s certainly not before time that Miss Dolan (vocals, piano, keyboards) and her talented bandmates – Gavin Bussey (guitar, backing vocals), Ian Fulton (bass) and Calum Wilson (drums) – presented new material.
And so to Higher, which can be seen and heard as a marker of where the band are now, and their evolution from the time of making that first Connection with their audience.
The EP opens with the funky, soul-blues tones of 'Heartsong.'
Sounding like a 60s song given a modern makeover, the infectious vocal melody and equally infectious voice of Lynsey Dolan play above the groove laid down by Messrs Fulton & Wilson. The tasty solo laid down by Gavin Bussey is the icing on the soul-food cake.
The up-tempo 'Miss Molly' is a short and sharp three minutes of fun rhythm & soul-pop blues that comes complete with a snappy B part and another nifty Gavin Bussey solo.
it’s also hard not to finger-click along to, or make you want to get your dancing shoes on.
The contemporary and soul-groovy 'Let It Burn' has a rhythm, and decidedly funky sound, all its own.
The song is bolstered by a strong chorus (which features a little call and "Burn!" answer), as well as a fun burst of scat vocal and guitar reply from Dolan and Bussey.
If 'Heartsong' reminded of the 60s, the grooving five-and-half minute title track is positively dripping in the snappy, Northern Soul beat of that decade (to the degree that you have to believe Lynsey Dolan was sporting a beehive hairstyle for the recording).
A sure fire floor filler, the song builds upon its staccato dance-beat, leading to a second half that has Dolan raising the ever "higher!" vocal bar, accompanied by some delightfully expressive guitar lines from Gavin Bussey.
Contrast then comes by way of 'Testify,' a song that carries the echoes, and a more restrained electric guitar twang, of folksy Americana/ country.
That the song, courtesy of the "ooh-ooh" & whistling parts, wouldn’t be out of place on a spaghetti western as the credits roll, just adds to its interesting sonic texture and charm.
Connection, which got a deserved digital re-release on Bandcamp earlier this year, was a very strong debut, one that caught some deserved attention.
But, to borrow from the title of the new EP, the hope now would be that this five track collection helps elevate the profile of the Lynsey Dolan Band even Higher.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Purchase the Higher EP (Digital & Limited Edition 12” Vinyl) and Connection here:
https://thelynseydolanband.bandcamp.com/album/higher