“Chanteuse Of Marin County”
In the world of contemporary music, the traits so often missing are being unique and the lost art of individuality. A quote that is now an axiom of today’s genre, “During the sixties, a myriad of bland women wrote
beautiful songs and now we have stunning women writing ugly songs”.
A generalization of course but when video evolved into the critical trait to become contracted, genetics are the first criteria for any woman. That brings me to Lynn Asher, a musical
Lynn brings a tinge of sixties regalia augmented with the tunes of a shifted paradigm to an area once perceived as the apex of music
that mattered. She is charming, charismatic, a visionary who sees way beyond her chronological years.
Sam Andrew (Big Brother & The Holding Company) once asked me who was the ideal choice to sing with the band and of course, my choice would always be Lynn. Sam loved her, as we all do or should. A vocalist with what seems to be a four octave range, a coach, a bay area award winner for her concerted efforts, a producer and a crowd pleaser to say the least.
Lynn has cultivated her vocals to reach a myriad of genres and definitely defines the term “artist”. If it were feasible to digress to The Golden Age during the most creative, decadent era known to man, Lynn would be a constant treasure for Bill Graham and my longtime friend, Chet Helms during the storied days of The Fillmores East and West, Winterland,
The Avalon Ballroom and assorted venues that defined the west coast.
Once the business drifted into the seventies and beyond, the credo became “It’s a business” and the euphoria of both bands and fans were left to those similar to Lynn who breathes a distinct love of what she brings to the masses and the recipricol joy from those who find her as an anomaly in todays “Women Who Rock”.
I can think of only a few who compare, Grace Potter, Brandi Carlisle, Florence Welch and Emmylou Harris. The alchemy of Lynn’s “magic” are similar to the tomes of ancient music that trickeld down from the highlands of Scotland or the echos of Golden Gate Park wizardry when “free” performances were a constant.
The rapture of brilliance continues, the agrarian perception of yesteryear and the engaging songs of today are remembered by one of the great voices of today’s music. Lynn's chosen road would lead her from a youthful,
unknown ingenue to a distinguished, established entertainer that continues to make a difference. Sometimes you just have to go …hmmmm & smile………….
