Shelby Lynne
I Am Shelby Lynne
Label: Island/Def Jam
Genre: Roots, Country, Blues
File Under: Can't find my way back home
Rating: 77
A decade ago, George Jones sang a duet with a struggling Alabama
singer named Shelby Lynne, and suddenly labels were bidding madly
for her services. Alas, no hits followed, and so her long-delayed
sixth album (on her fourth label) struggles to be a resolute
statement of identity.
As was the case with Lynne's labelmate Kim Richey, who no more
easily fits country music's increasingly rigid marketing plan, the
promotion and marketing of I Am Shelby Lynne has been moved from
Nashville, Tenn., to New York. The problem is that Shelby Lynne
can — and does — sing everything from big band jazz to stone
country to classic Southern soul to modern R&B, and they don't
make boxes that big anymore.
I Am opens with a suite of failed love songs, presented in a
daunting array of styles. "Your Lies" calls up all the sweet
nostalgia of Phil Spector's early girl group hits, "Leavin'" has
the languor of Memphis soul, while "Life Is Bad" has the tempo
and phrasing of Lucinda Williams at her snarling best. By the
time "Lookin' Up" rolls around, Lynne has become a lounging jazz
singer.
There is much temptation in all of this, but little satisfaction.
It all sounds like someone named Shelby Lynne, for her voice is
impeccable throughout. But despite its title, the album comes no
closer to suggesting who she might be than her previous outings
have. And too few of the songs — despite their technical
virtuosity — beg to be played over and again. — Grant Alden
--
gender is just an excuse, relationship shouldn't just be an excuse,
love is often an excuse, although sometimes these excuses are all
we have to hold onto,
death is the reason and living is the celebration
- Beth Orton
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