Empty Pair of Shoes
Produced by Claire Lynch with assistance from Nik Tjelios.
Recorded by Nik Tjelios – Casa Wroxton, Toronto ON Canada and The cottaGe, Guelph ON Canada and by Ben Surratt – Ben’s Place, Nashville TN, USA
Mixed by Nik Tjelios
Mastered by Philip Shaw Bova, Ontario Canada
Photography by Michael Cooper Photographic & Ian Gray, Toronto ON Canada
Thanks:
I made this project because I’m obliged – primarily to my fans who’ve consistently stayed in touch and asked for more music; second, to the co-writers who helped create these songs. The players on this album have been important parts of my musical career. I’m so grateful to them for showing up and offering their creative talents. What a joy to reunite! Special thanks to Nik and Ben – acoustic experts and patient mentors. Also, to my husband Ian – the one who so often asks, “What can I say to help?”
Claire Lynch “Empty Pair of Shoes”
Of the 15 albums I’ve recorded, this is the first in which I’ve written or co-written every cut. Some were composed via email and over Zoom with buddies in the U.S. and others were completed in person before I moved above the 49th parallel. There are usually guidelines for putting an album together – an overarching theme for example, or a group of genre-specific songs. But I chose to ignore the rules and offer this assortment instead. I hope you approve, and thanks for listening!
THE SONGS:
1. TROUBLE’S NOT TROUBLING ME (3:32)
Written by Carl Jones & Claire Lynch (Chordwood Music, ASCAP; Thrill Hill Music, BMI)
Claire Lynch: lead vocal, background vocal
Adam Schier: acoustic guitar
Darrin Schott: mandolin
Joe Phillips: bass
John Showman: fiddle
This song was written after we witnessed the terrible floods of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Many other such tragedies have rocked our world since. So far, we remain resilient.
2. ONE MISTAKE AT A TIME (3:16)
Written by Jon Weisberger & Claire Lynch (Use Your Words Music; Thrill Hill Music, BMI)
Claire Lynch: lead vocal
Darrin Schott: acoustic guitar
Andrew Collins: mandolin
Joe Phillips: bass
Shane Cook: fiddle
The way most of us learn, eh?
3. EMPTY PAIR OF SHOES (2:54)
Written by Cathy Fink & Claire Lynch (2 Spoons Music, ASCAP; Thrill Hill Music, BMI)
Claire Lynch: lead vocal, harmony vocals
Jason Fowler: acoustic guitar
Mark Schatz: bass
Don Rooke: Kona
For Ms. Eileenie & Footworks with love.
4. SUFFER THE CHILDREN (2:19)
Written by Claire Lynch (Thrill Hill Music, BMI)
Claire Lynch: lead vocal
Jim Hurst: acoustic guitar, harmony vocals
Matthew Wingate: mandolin, harmony vocals
Missy Raines: bass
Chris Quinn: banjo
Bryan McDowell: fiddle
Part of the fun of writing this song was my research into describing the body language of someone who is lying. Turns out “dancing hands” and a “shifting glances” are part of the formula. I laughed out loud! Meanwhile, we can always look to little children for complete honesty.
5. SUGAR BLUES TOMORROW (3:11)
Written by Becky Buller & Claire Lynch (Goodnight Sparky Music; Thrill Hill Music, BMI)
Claire Lynch: lead vocal
Jim Hurst: acoustic guitar, harmony vocals
Missy Raines: bass
Rob Ickes: Hawaiian guitar
When we were writing this song, Becky said something like, “It’s a good song, but really not the type I’d record.” What can I say… I have no shame!
6. WAY BACK WHEN YOU LOVED ME (2:56)
Written by Pamela Brown Hayes & Claire Lynch (Samuel Clemens Songs; Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc./Butter and Egg Music, BMI)
Claire Lynch: lead vocal
Jim Hurst: acoustic guitar, harmony vocals
Matthew Wingate: mandolin, harmony vocals
Missy Raines: bass
Bryan McDowell: fiddle
Pamela and I wrote this song (and many others) during our time together at Polygram Music Publishing. Seems like a lifetime ago. But the song, in its simplicity, has stood the test of time.
7. BLUE LIGHTS OF LOVE (3:04)
Written by Dawn Kenney & Claire Lynch (Heart Roots Music, ASCAP; Thrill Hill Music, BMI)
Claire Lynch: lead vocal
Matthew Wingate: archtop guitars
Missy Raines: bass
Shane Cook: fiddle
Pure fiction and adventure, dangerous fun! Thanks to Ben & Jim for loaning the archtops.
8. SEASON OF SLEEP (2:55)
Written by Carl Jones & Claire Lynch (Chordwood Music, ASCAP; Thrill Hill Music, BMI)
Claire Lynch: lead vocal
Jim Hurst: acoustic guitar
Matthew Wingate: mandolin
Nik Tjelios: organ
Now that the pandemic is over I sometimes wonder, “Was that for real or were we dreaming?”
Claire’s website: www.clairelynch.com