Rose Laughlin performs at the Lake County Folk Club

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Rose Laughlin

Updated: January 23, 2012 2:24AM

“I was a late bloomer, age 30 when I picked up the guitar again and started studying, ready for a life change,” said Rose Laughlin. “I’d heard (Irish singer) Oliver Mulholland, and it was really then that I discovered traditional music and said, ‘that’s what I want to do!’ ”

That was in 1993, and Laughlin has accomplished a lot since then, developing as a musician, singer and interpreter, and as a recording artist and performer. She recently released her third CD, “House of Memory” (Ramblin’ Rose Records).

Her prior releases are “The Chicago Sessions” (2008) and a critically acclaimed debut, “Souvenir” (2005).

Laughlin will be the featured performer for the Lake County Folk Club along with accomplished artist, Chris Walz, on May 29.

Expanded repertoire

“I’ve evolved as my knowledge expanded,” said Laughlin, noting her Irish background and original concentration in Irish song. “Now I do any song that I love. Never thought it would evolve toward American, and now I also do a lot of Scottish songs.”

She considers herself an interpreter of songs, not a song writer.

“I do spend a lot of time on the songs, spend years with them,” she said. “I feel it takes that long to ‘get’ the songs. Like Kate Wolf‘s ‘Across the Great Divide.’ Now the song means so much more to me. I’ve grown into it. I’m older now, so being on a journey and looking back has meaning. I’ve also learned that, when it comes to phrasing, simpler is better. Can’t have it too cluttered.”

Laughlin’s new album reflects old and new influences, and in the “News” section on her website she noted: “I wanted to record the songs that had been part of my performing repertoire for years and some newer ones too. I also wanted it to be completely different (from the other recordings).”

“House of Memory” is titled from the sole original on the album, a stirring song inspired by a woman suffering from dementia. Laughlin performs wonderful renditions of songs by Leonard Cohen, “Suzanne,” Kate Wolf, “Across the Great Divide,” Kate MacLeod, “New Homeland,” a Robert Burns classic, “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose,” and Woody Guthrie’s “Pastures of Plenty.” She also interprets the enduring songs, “Angel Band” and “Over the Rainbow.”

Laughlin’s traditional tunes include “Across the Blue Mountains,” “Black is the Color,” “Shady Grove,” and “Broom of the Cowdenknowe.”

Other stellar musicians on the recording include: Kat Eggleston, Kate MacLeod, Michael Kirkpatrick, Mark Graham, Patrick Christie, Kevin Almeida, Mike Saunders, Eric Yerlinde, John Dally, and Jim Malcolm. The very highly-regarded Eggleston and MacLeod produced the album.

The songs are artfully arranged, and the use of varied instrumentation — guitar, harmonica, piano, bass, dulcimer, violin, banjo, whistles, and Scottish small pipes — does not overwhelm the vocals, but serves instead to beautifully accompany and embellish the songs. An earthiness permeates the arrangements, capturing perfectly the essence of the material, and with a fresh sound and uniqueness that is a credit to the creative hands at work.

Laughlin’s voice is somewhat haunting, a rich and distinctive voice that is well-suited to traditional and roots material, as well as contemporary folk.

Musical painting

Her vocal approach can be compared to an artist painting: first longingly imagining or observing a scene, then carefully choosing colors and tones, adding texture and complexity, nuance and meaning.

To say Laughlin does “covers” does not begin to describe the personal involvement she has with the songs, a passion for the music that is warmly shared with the listener.

Laughlin has been a voice student of June Shellene’s at the Old Town School in Chicago.

“June became my mentor, and helped me with my confidence,” said Laughlin, adding, “My original goal was to play a little, didn’t have big goals, just wanted to play at a café. When that happened, it just all built up from there.”

Laughlin was born in Minneapolis (“Dad was in grad school there”) and raised in Oregon. She came to Chicago in 2003 (“the Old Town School and the Irish music scene lured me in”) but now resides back in her hometown of Seattle (“my siblings have families, and I want to be close to them, to be an aunt.”).

Asked about her next album, it’s clear those nieces and nephews are close to her heart. What’s coming up is, said Laughlin, “probably a lullaby or children’s album, because I have so many little people in my life.”