Between Ragged and Right: Amy Lashley
Lashley’s songs are, as she says, little stories about her personal life, family and events in the world. After college Lashley moved on from her Hoosier base spending time in Cincinnati, Seattle and Vermont. She returned to Indiana and has focused on her songwriting while performing in the clubs and coffeehouses in the region.It is easy to see the impact family has on her as evidenced by the longing for place and loneliness that separation brings. This theme runs a thread through the EP beginning with “One Lane,” through track 5, “Lil Brother,” and ending with “East of Anywhere.”The sense of restlessness that “One Lane” calls to mind is turned then to loneliness on “Foolish Lonesome.” The haunting steel guitar, swelling and ebbing behind Lashley’s vocal, provides a musical voice to match the longing of the lyric. "Miss Josephine" is fantastic little song in which reminded me in structure and sound of Carole King. The song is about preferring the company of a three year old to that of the adults surrounding her: "I prefer your company/even though I am 33/Miss Josephine, what does that say about me?" I can relate.In "Shot Gun Sunday" Lashley again puts into words the feeling one gets when alone, being introspective, wandering a familiar street contemplating her next move in life, when that next big break comes. This is a strong debut featuring strong songs and a laidback, yet earnest sound. While not meant to be a concept album, “Foolish Lonesome” is heavy on the theme of longing to be back where family and friends are there for you, where you can easily reach out and find someone who knows you. Anyone who has lived far from that type of connection will be able to connect to this theme.You can pick up a copy directly from Amy Lashley at www.myspace.com/amylashley, where you can also hear a track, "Lemon Eyes," which isn’t included on the EP.