A surprisingly really good interview by the New York Times. A highlight:
FRISKICS-WARREN: Jack, you’ve been quoted as saying that Loretta is the greatest female singer-songwriter of the 20th century.
LYNN: Oh, mercy.
WHITE: It’s true. Loretta was breaking down barriers for women at the right time, and writing all of her own songs. Those hits were songs she wrote, not songs that she was handed. And the innocence, coming from her, saying: “This is how women live. This is what women are thinking.” You’d think that would have come from a rock singer, like maybe Janis Joplin, in the late 60’s. But Loretta was doing it earlier than that, and in the country realm, where a lot of women weren’t able to do what they wanted. I don’t think anyone has the natural songwriting ability she has inside of her, where it just comes out and it’s so real. (full interview)
“Van Lear Rose” is quite a strong album, much more than just a gimmick. Definitely check it out if you can.