Search - Charles Lyonhart :: down to the hard line

Down To The Hard Line Maturity is sobering. On this, his fourth CD, Lyonhart is as smooth as a shore-beaten shell, and the beauty in this shell's design and what glistens from it, and from what age has given it at a high price. Charles sings of loves gone, and lives lost, but the weariness in a song like "The Sad Sad Romance of the Road" is tempered by the resolve to continue, and to value those who have also weathered the years. In this case, it's "Team Lyonhart," the core of drummer Denny McDermott, guitarist Larry Campbell and bassist Lincoln Schleifer. This time, both Larry and Lincoln have not only produced and co-produced tracks, they've co-written some as well. One might say that the co-writes show that misery loves company, but everyone has aches that, in the right environment, can be beautifully purged and shared. When these old friends gather, it's to make the best of what's left; the best line, the best sound, the best way of bringing emotions to the fo! re. The great thing about creativity is that it is a renewal of spirit, even if it is based on sad experiences and remembrances of times gone by. And so, with anxiety, smiles, surges of energy and great tenacity, this album actually took longer to produce than the previous ones. It's not that it gets tougher as one gets older; the time spent is quality time. The proof coming through the speakers is that the hands and hearts haven't lost the spirit...and it makes the hard-earned magic even more special. Ronald L. Smith March 2001, New York City