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7/6/2006 Ron Wynn, The City Paper, Nashville, TN Vocalist’s profile increases

Vocalist’s profile increases while working on new project... Vantreese is about more than folk music... When Lynette Vantreese’s first release on ATC records was issued in 2002, it was widely praised for both the quality of her vocals and the depth of her lyrics. But the focus on some of its most thought-provoking numbers led some to inaccurately characterize Vantreese as a folkie, something that’s neither accurate nor the direction that she’s been moving in lately. But through steady touring, including appearances at various festivals and also opening for such performers as Edwin McCain, Dennis DeYoung and Jonell Mosser, Vantreese and her band have steadily corrected notions that she specialized in sedate, laid-back and introspective acoustic material. In fact, Vantreese is now working on a new, rock-dominated CD set for release next spring to coincide with some return festival engagements. Fans can get a preview of the fresh material Sunday night as she performs with her band at a rare Bluebird group show. “There was quite a bit of folk material on that first release, and it’s not like I don’t still have a few of my soft, sensitive numbers,” Vantreese said. “But once they pigeonhole you that way, it takes a long time to break out of that mold. There’s really a lot of rock and blues in my music. I’m a real child of the ‘70s, and both Joni Mitchell and Jimi Hendrix are musical idols.” Yet even when closely listening to her debut release, there are numbers where you can hear the harder, more assertive side of Vantreese’s personality emerging. The current group features bassist Tim Wharton and drummer Jon Bradford along with her husband Brett on electric guitar. With the rhythm duo of Wharton and Bradford providing the background thrust and Brett Vantreese serving as combination feature instrumental soloist and complimentary force within the unit, her clear, captivating soprano provides the vocal energy and acceleration in each song. A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she studied songwriting and musical performance, Vantreese also has extensive experience in the commercial end, having working at both Star Song Communication and Hummingbird Productions. “One thing about all the shows that we’ve done in the past few months is that the band has gotten tighter, more confident and we’ve found out what songs really work in the best forum, which is in front of an audience,” Vantreese said. “A few months ago we took a break from recording because it seemed like things were getting a little bogged down. That time off has been like a catalyst because now we’ve got a sense of urgency and we’re also really focused on getting this new material done and out to the audience.”

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