THE STUMBLEWEEDS, EVIL ON YOUR MIND
(Spinout ____)

by JOHN CONQUEST

While Id give you plenty of 8 to 5 that Lynnette Lenker has a well-worn copy of Tears Will Be The Chaser For Your Wine, Bear Familys box set of Wanda Jacksons 1964-73 Capitol recordings, though the Boston singer has an obvious predilection for her material, A Girl Dont Have To Drink (To Have Fun), Saving My Love, Look Out Heart, I Love You Because, My Baby Just Walked Right Out On Me, vocally shes more reminiscent of Jean Sheppard and Connie Smith, also well represented among the covers, with the title track, Evil on Your Mind, Only Mama Thatll Walk The Line, and The Trouble With Girls. This, of course, is no bad thing in the 3CM book. The only survivor from the 2001 Pickin & Sinnin lineup, Lenker, whose brother Roy fronts The Spurs, relies heavily on Eddie Angel*** for help with originals, he co-wrote all six, two with her (***STUMBLEWEED NOTE, PLEASE READ BELOW) and, as on the debut, they mesh seamlessly with well-chosen covers, of which the standout, even though going up against Janis Martin is generally not recommended, is Hard Times Ahead. With Lenkers hard-driving classic sound backed by a solid rhythm section and the fine guitar work of Dennis Kelly, this is old school country and rockabilly for people who, like Lenker, have written off the last four decades or so as irrelevant. JC

***Please note: Eddie Angel did not write or co-write any of the songs, just a misunderstanding.