Shelter [Import]

Lone Justice | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 19, 1996)
• Original Release Date: 1986
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Geffen UK
• ASIN: B000000OYF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,864 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Singer Maria McKee, a small woman with a gigantic voice, has always had trouble finding the appropriate backup band and production style--on Lone Justice's second and final album, E Street Band guitarist Little Steven tries to turn her into the female Bruce Springsteen. He's partially successful: on the opening song, "I Found Love," McKee belts like a countrified Aretha Franklin, and each of her five successive "yeahs" sounds more explosive than the next. But while McKee's voice is timeless, the tinkly keyboards and thudding electronic drums make Shelter an '80s period piece. (Guitarist Shane Fontayne, who joined Lone Justice for this album, later performed in Springsteen's post-E Street backup band.) --Steve Knopper

Product Description

their second and final LP

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Been So Long..., March 23, 2002

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Shelter (Audio CD)

I first owned this album on tape in the mid-80's. After hearing Lone Justice's debut album, with all its eccentric brilliance, I purchased "Shelter" only to discover a more polished and pop sound that still remained rugged and edgy--based primarily on Maria McKee's voice. Then, somehow, somewhere, I lost the tape.

Two days ago, I ran across the CD at a reduced price. I couldn't resist. Popping the disc into my car, I was taken back fifteen years ago to the excitement and emotion of my college years. This ranks as one of my all-time favorite albums. Even songs that initially held no hold over me ("Dixie Storms" and "Reflected"), now draw something unexpected from my heart. The lyrics find a balance between preachy and obtuse; the instruments range from throaty to ethereal; and the vocals...well, let's face it, this little diva's voice takes this music to a whole new level.

It's been so long since I laid ears to this stuff that I almost forgot how deep it could burrow. Yet, after a decade and a half, it's still there, simmering beneath the surface. For me, to listen to it again is an opportunity to let many feelings bubble over. This is music in which to find "Shelter." And I can't resist.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great no matter what people say!, January 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shelter (Audio CD)

This is probably the lowest rated Lone Justice/Maria Mckee album and that type of publicity kept me from buying it even though I've been a Mckee fan for quite awile. All you ever here is how it doesn't compare to the first one and how she can't find a good enough band. Finnally after hearing all her other stuff for so long I needed something new so I picked up Shelter. Then after listening I came to the conclusion that it doesn't matter who or what is backing up Maria Mckee, her music and sound is always amazing! So for all you buyers out there, if you love Maria Mckee this album is a must have. So maybe it's not as original or ground-breaking as Lone Justice's debute but who cares as long as I get to hear Maria sing! The same goes for her third solo release "Life is Sweet".

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The gift, November 28, 2004

By 

Erica Anderson (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shelter (Audio CD)

Back in the late eighties, early nineties, I was going through a transition in my taste in music. I was discovering new music that my peers in high school would never listen to. It was definitely an alternative to the metal and r&b/hip hop music that they listened to. One of the greatest discoveries was Lone Justice's "Shelter". I bought the cassette version not long after I heard the country-ish title track on a local radio station. What really stood out for me was the keyboards in this particular song. I still love listening to "Shelter" to this very day. I really didn't care for the opening track "I Found Love". It was one of the weaker tracks on the album I thought. It lacked the lush melodies of "Shelter" and "The Gift" (another great song). Maria McKee's vocals are a bit high pitched but compare her to Britney Spears, Maria sounds like Maria Callas. Maria McKee definitely had a distinct voice all her own that you rarely hear nowadays in music. The album itself doesn't really have one particular sound. At times it sounds rather country-ish with a little folk thrown in for good measure, and other times it is more rock. Some of the songs worked for me, and some like "Beacon" and "I Found Love" didn't work for me. Nevertheless, Lone Justice did have a sound of their own.