Customer Reviews

I Am Shelby Lynne

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I listened to this CD,without any preconceptions and in fact any real knowledge of Shelby Lynne,or her previous country connections.The first listen i liked it,the more i listen to it ,I have grown to love it.She is a maverick,delivering a mixture of soul and R&B with that country feel and that ever so sweet Alabama sound.This album indeed reminded me of Dusty in Memphis and some early Aretha Franklin,but most of all it reminded me of a country singer embodying all that is good in utilizing several genres of music.In a world where female singers are labelled *country* but sing anything but that,this recording is a breath of fresh air.It sounds a lot like the best of Sheryl Crowe in Tuesday Night Dance Club and of Alison Moorer(another oh so sweet Alabama girl)but with something extra.If you dont find this recording growing on you after every listen go and buy Shania Twain,and play it safe.Every song has that *away from Nashville straight jacket* feel about it,and not surprisingly,it was recorded in Alabama,California and finished in Memphis.I personally like the soulful songs but the most readily accessible track is Gotta Get Back.The use of strings on this recording is excellent and a lot of credit must go to Lynne herself and her producerBill Botterll,who also figures on here as a contributor to the songwriting...a versatile and memorable recording that will figure in my playlist long after the Jill Come Latelys have disappeared.Put it in the section of your collection,next to Soul and R&B,it wont be out of place.I am awaiting that next instalment from this maverick with relish,and it goes to prove that country with feeling and genuineness can come from a twenty something with true talent and a good ear and a sackfull of great songs.Five stars all the way.

A couple of years ago Shelby Lynne announced her departure from the country music industy. Rather than retreat into indie obscurity for the balance of her career, however, she has used her newfound freedom to fashion a compelling image makeover and a return to the majors on her own terms. Like her labelmate Kim Richey, Lynne has found a true home outside the constraints of contemporary Nashville.

On this audacious effort Lynne finally has a sympathetic writing partner and producer in Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow;) while portions of the album have an inevitable 'Tuesday Night Music Club' vibe, the finished product is unmistakably Shelby's own.

Perhaps a more meaningful point of reference is the late Dusty Springfield's 'Dusty in Memphis;' like that classic 'I Am Shelby Lynne' is infused with a sense of gravitas and playfulness. That, and a deep appreciation of a kind of southern-fried country soul indigenous to Lynne's Alabama home. Even more encouragingly (and unlike Springfield) Lynne is not beholden to the vagaries of the supply of great outside songwriters and songs, which suggests that she could plumb the emotional depths of this aesthetic for many years to come.

There is plenty to cheer in 'I Am Shelby Lynne' apart from some most unfortunate mastering errors (on the UK pressing, at least) in which most tracks are offset by three seconds and the end of 'Black Lite Blue' is cut off altogether; with any luck the US arm of Mercury will have addressed this in time for the domestic release.

Whatever its technical shortcomings the album's title says it all: Shelby Lynne has arrived.

I have never been a fan of country music, thus I had never heard of Shelby Lynne. If it weren't for public radio I would never had been introduced to this talented, singer-songwriter. I bought the CD expecting to hear something different and I was far from disappointed. Many of her older fans feel betrayed by her alteration, they should be happy she decided to break free of the factory sounding country that Faith, Trisha, and Shania can give them in spades. This is not the best CD I own, I do wish she had a backing band, instead she and her producer did all of the instruments and vocals. Bill Bottrell also tried too many production tricks, at times the vocals were drowned out and the harmonica solo on track 5 could have been left out. But the lyrics are wonderfully emotive and she really shows a talent for songwriting. Some of the stronger tracks are "Gotta Get Back" sans harmonica solo, "Life Is Bad," and "Where I'm From." I found, as did other reviewers, that the more I listened to "I Am, " the more I HAD to listen to it. Shelby is playing in my town tonight and I hope to catch this unique artist and see what she can do with a genuine backing band.

I've been hearing the buzz on this since before Christmas, and I was just sure it couldn't live up to the hype -- I mean, there will only ever be one Dusty in Memphis. That said, I Am Shelby Lynne just smokes. It's good enough to make you forget Sheryl Crowe, and I'll bet that Lucinda Williams probably won't be sleeping nights (if she ever did). Most of all, this represents the kind of artistic leap forward that you rarely witness during any performer's career. Every cut sounds like a classic, and the album has the kind unified, organic, soulful "Memphis" sound that you just never hear anymore. This would have been a contender in 1968 and a mindblower in 1974. In 2000, it just sounds like a miracle.

Note that i rarely give an album 5 stars (5 stars are the kind that Ok Computers and Joshua Trees or Together Alones are made of). The record is already out in Europe. After a first listen i found her music a bit ordinary and her voice flat. But after repeated listenings you wil find jewel after jewel... The singalong "Your lies" and the wonderful melancholic closing track "Black light blue" And then you realize it: there isn't a weak track on this disc ! Her voice really grows on you too .... definitely the strongest female artist og 99... along with Macy Gray

I am surprised at the narrow-mindedness of the reviewers who rated this album poorly. With no previous exposure to Lynne, I bought this album based on a couple of reviews and having heard Life is Bad on the radio. I LOVE it. Yes, one can hear Raitt, Crowe, Cline, Springfield and others through these songs, but Lynne adds her own unique imprint to each one, and the accompaniment is superb. And to top it off, she wrote these songs; there's not a dud in the bunch. To those who were disappointed that Lynne has diverged from her previous country genre,I say, expand your horizons, try listening to some of Lynne's obvious influences and appreciate this CD for the incredibly enjoyable production that it is, rather than complaining about what it isn't. My favorite artists are those who draw from other genres and make the influences on their music clear, because that leads me to discover music that I have never listened to before. Keep it up, Shelby.

I had heard that Shelby Lynne's CD was a huge hit in the UK, so was happy to see it here. After listening to it, I knew it was one of those CDs that just gets better and better the more you listen to it. It is a mix of country, soul, and just great music. Her voice is as everyone says reminiscent of Dusty Springfield and Billie Holiday. The arrangements on the tracks are great, from raw to rich. Listen to each track, they are so different. You cannot go wrong with this CD.

Oh boy. This is good. I bought I Am Shelby Lynne after reading a few interesting reviews. Sometimes I get burned doing that, but man, not this time. I was expecting something a little more traditionally country, and then Your Lies came blasting out of my speakers, sounding like country rock and roll produced by Phil Spector. There are quite a few great songs on this CD, including I Thought it Would Be Easier and Where I'm From. Lynne has a husky, real voice that complements the orchestral feel of the music perfectly. We play this CD around our house all the time, and my 4 year old son likes it too. I can't wait to see Shelby in concert. Shelby, come to Montana!

A few years after her very fine 1995 recording, "Restless" I kept checking the CD bins, the web, anything, for more information. Nothing. I was afraid Shelby had quit recording. Finally: "I am Shelby Lynne."

Having listened to this many times now I'm slightly disappointed. But there are some great songs, for example, "Dreamsome." Many of the songs have duet vocals (Shelby and Shelby)--that don't really showcase her superb voice. This is the woman I once heard sing Aretha's "Chain of Fools" live--as if she owned the song.

Unfortunately a few of these songs sound like Sheryl Crow arrangements--for example, "Why can't you be?" and "Thought it would be easier." Yeah, I know, same producer (who also co-writes). But it shouldn't sound the same. Shelby Lynne is a much different singer whose talents, it seems, could have been expressed in a better way.

Those listeners used to her previous country style may be disappointed. I welcome the change in direction but hope the next one is better.

Very intimate album with somewhat unusual song structures. Shelby Lynne's voice will bore a hole right into your body. After several listens, the songs really sink in, and I think this will be one of the strongest albums of the year. Bill Bottrell records singers better than anyone out there (for reference see Kevin Gilbert, Toy Matinee, Sheryl Crow, etc.) Strings and unusual harmonies with the vocals add nice shades of color. The only down note is the that the lyrics paint a picture of a woman in considerable pain. For her sake, let's hope the recording process was cathartic.