SHELBY LYNNE

Just a Little Lovin'

2008-01-28

From the second you heard the opening of "Your Lies" from her 1999 "I Am Shelby Lynne" release, the comparisons to '60s rock-soul icon Dusty Springfield began. So it is no surprise that, nine years later, Lynne does an entire album tribute to Dusty. What is surprising, however, is that Lynne doesn't try to sound like her idol at all; in fact, she transforms the nine remakes in this set into her own (track #9 is the only Lynne original, and the content sounds like pure Dusty). Outstanding musicianship helps a lot. Lynne stays away from the orchestral arrangements of the originals and goes with an understated quartet throughout. The drum/guitar opening on the title track is a killer, as are Lynne's lyrical pauses. Other highlights are "You Don't Have to Say" (#3), "Willie and Laura Mae Jones" (#7) and Randy Newman's "I Don't Want to Hear It" (#8). Tributes usually lag behind the originals; this one complements and at times even surpasses the classic inspiration. 01/08 MJVD R-Pop

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 11/2012

    BOB MOULD
    Silver Age

  • reviewed 01/2006

    THE GOURDS
    Heavy Ornamentals

  • reviewed 06/2009

    EELS
    Hombre Lobo: 12 Songs Of Desire

  • reviewed 02/2006

    NINE HORSES
    Snow Borne Sorrow

  • reviewed 08/2010

    MIKE KEY
    IT'S ABOUT TIME

  • reviewed 02/2014

    Illum Sphere
    Ghosts of Then and Now

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.