I Am Shelby Lynne

Shelby Lynne

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (January 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000457EH
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (147 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,035,768 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Your Lies

2. Leavin'

3. Life Is Bad

4. Thought It Would Be Easier

5. Gotta Get Back

6. Why Can't You Be

7. Lookin' Up

8. Dream Some

9. Where I'm From

10. Black Light Blue

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2000

The boldly named I Am Shelby Lynne may serve as an introduction to a gifted vocalist for most, but the one-time Nashville phenom has more than a decade of recording experience under her belt. Still, in many ways this is an introduction to a new talent. This time out, the Alabama-reared singer-songwriter refused to live up to anyone's expectations but her own, expertly melding soul, rock, pop, and country strains into an eye-opening set that demands to be addressed on its own terms. --Steven Stolder

Amazon.com

Shelby Lynne is an anachronism in the best sense of the word. Alabama-born, this twentysomething singer is in love with classic pop and soul, the kind sung by Dusty in Memphis and Aretha in Muscle Shoals. Working here with producer Bill Bottrell, Lynne has fashioned a remarkable album of orchestral epics ("Your Lies"), lazy-afternoon dance music ("Thought It Would Be Easier"), and gorgeous, bluesy ballads ("Lookin' Up," "Black Light Blue"). Most of the album's 10 songs are firmly rooted in the '60s and '70s, but Bottrell's production and Lynne's still-wet-from-sex voice guarantee that the album sounds time-capsule fresh instead of past-expiration-date retro. While Lynne has made fine albums before--1993's big-band and Western-swing CD Temptation is particularly good--I Am Shelby Lynne is the best work yet by a singer as stubbornly committed to musical tradition, and as defiantly out of step with country music trends, as another former Nashville maverick, Lyle Lovett. --Keith Moerer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let them All eat Crowe,Franklin Springfield and the rest., April 8, 2000

By	Lance G. Rigley (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: I Am Shelby Lynne (Audio CD)

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.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shelby comes of age, December 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Am Shelby Lynne (Audio CD)

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.

67 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Let Shelby be Shelby, April 11, 2000

By	Suzanne (Langhorne, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am Shelby Lynne (Audio CD)

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.