Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival
Retrograde
J&R Collective
Publicity: Blind Raccoon
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © May 2025
Retrograde is the fifth release by Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival and the second that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. As a matter of fact, it’s almost two years ago to the day since I reviewed Gypsy Soul, and musician wise, other than a new bass player, the band remains intact. Joining the disc’s producers and songwriters – Jennifer Lyn, on guitar, lead, and backing vocals; and Richard Torrance, on guitar and backing vocals – are: Barb Jiskra on keys; Nolyn Falcon on bass, and Jim Anderson on drums and backing vocals. The album contains ten, all original tracks.
Depending on which source you use, the word retrograde has many meanings, of which some could actually be confusing. Reading them all just might have you going around in circles – which in itself, could very well be a meaning for the word as well. My layman’s interpretation is ‘going forward while keeping in touch with the past’. Hmmm, what a great musical concept.
Many of us, perhaps Lyn herself, tend to make excuses for our shortcomings when in actuality, we have no one but ourselves to blame. As Lyn puts it, ‘It ain’t the world gone wrong, you’re just a “Sucker For The Pain”‘. This smoker features a powerful rhythm coming from the hands of Nolyn and Jim; hot barrelhouse piano runs by Barb; scorching slide guitar by Richard; and emotionally delivered vocals of the song’s truthful lyrics.
On “Soul Saver,” with the rhythm section in somewhat of a funky groove and the rest of the band in a slightly jazzy groove, a perfect musical vibe falls nicely into place. With that groove going on behind her, the ideal platform is created for Jennifer to soulfully belt the hell out of this one while showcasing her fabulous vocal range. Very well-done track.
Musically, “Baggage” features everyone on top of their game. The rhythm, with Jim being quite creative on the drums, is some of the disc’s best; so is the sparring going on ‘tween Barb on the keys and Richard on the slide guitar; and Jen is at her sassiest while telling her parting beau “You’ve got baggage…lots of baggage, as much as I’ll miss your lovely face…your baggage won’t fit in my suitcase”.
Apparently, no one told Jennifer that you can’t put a price on love. Either that, or she misinterpreted it as to love being as valuable as a classy sixty-five-year-old antique car. This could very well be why when her man said, “I’m leaving, going with the guys”, her thought process went right to “I don’t care if he’s coming back, I got his “Fifty-Nine Cadillac”‘ (which by the way these days is worth about $100,000).
Oddly enough, heartbreak is something that some people would actually not mind going through again. Just ask Jennifer – ‘I’m just the dreamer who got nothing in return. Standing in the ashes where our love burned. If I could “Do It All Again”, I would’. That’s a pretty serious testament of the love one person can feel. Also serious is the stunning and masterful guitar work of Richard.
Other tracks on another very well-done effort from Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival include: “Light The Fire”; “Searching For Solid Ground”; “Refuge”, “Do Bad Things To You”; and “Breaking Chains”.
Should you like to find out more about Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival, just go to – www.jlynandthegrooverevival.com. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.
“The Blues Is My Passion And Therapy”
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 “Keeping The Blues Alive” Award Recipient
