Artist description To describe the musical texture and sound of Lori, imagine blending the sincerity of Nanci Griffith, the heart of Lucinda Williams, and the raw power of Patty Griffin or Sinead O'Connor. The Boston Globe writes, "more than any young songwriter on the scene today, her work carries that stirring blend of stark intimacy and universality that marks folk form at its finest. She brings embracing, real-life aesthetic to her emotionally searing love songs."

Music Style country/folk, solo female, singer-songwriter

Musical Influences U2

Similar Artists Nanci Griffith, Patty Griffin, Sinead O'Connor, Alanis Morissette

Artist History In the past two years, the whispers have spread quickly and music fans in Boston are discovering a 30-year-old mother of three from the south shore of Massachusetts. Her name is Lori McKenna. In March of 1998, Lori McKenna quietly unveiled her self-released debut CD "Paper Wings & Halo," which was selected as one of the top ten albums of 1998 by The Boston Globe and heralded as "the most impressive local debut since Dar Williams’ Honesty Room in 1995." WUMB 91.9FM voted her last year's New Artist of the Year, and in spring of '99 Lori won a Boston Music Award for Outstanding New Contemporary Folk Act. In the summer of 1999, she played at the Newport Folk Festival, Boston Lilith Fair, and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. A new CD release is expected before the end of this year (2000).

Instruments acoustic guitar, electric guitar, fretless bass, mandolin, keyboard, drums, cello, piano, windchimes

Press Reviews "a stirring blend of stark intimacy and universality that has always marked folk form at its finest." -Boston Globe"Artists like Lori McKenna come along once in a lifetime. You never thought an artist could touch you like this until you've heard Lori McKenna. If you don't get choked up at least once during this album, then I think you must be made of stone. Possibly the best album of the decade, it's amazing to think that it's Lori's debut." -Matthew Smith, FolkWeb.com Manager "Lori makes me cry!" Reviewer: "Jen" from California December 28, 1999This is one of the rare cd's that i don't skip a single track on. Lori truely taps into something deep and divine here and has no trouble sharing it with everyone she comes across. "Swallows Me Whole" gets me all the time. Great music with meaningful lyrics - an all-around winner Reviewer: A music fan from Boston, MA  October 3, 1999Lori blends well-crafted music with meaningful lyrics that you can related to and you have Lori McKenna's great collection of songs on her debut CD. The music may be minimalistic in the use of instruments but that's what makes the songs so powerful and allows Lori's singing and lyrics to really come through. This CD is in permanent rotation on our CD player. This is one of the best CDs I have ever heard. Reviewer: ajhiggin@holycross.edu from Worcester, MA      September 21, 1999 Lori McKenna's beautiful voice and passionate words make this CD incredible. I will never grow tired of listening to it. It's a great variety of songs, and a wonderful piece of music in itself. If you ever get the chance to hear her live, she's even better.

Location S. Easton, MA - USA

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