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SHELBY LYNNE I Am Shelby Lynne (Mercury/Universal) Shelby Lynne steps neatly into the slot vacated by legendary singer Dusty Springfield, with a sound that is both original and Springfield in flavour. Listen closer and you'll discover that this chameleon songstress has produced this album with shades of Aretha Franklin, Sheryl Crow, and Rickie Lee Jones. It has been a long journey for the very talented Shelby getting to I Am Shelby Lynne, that opens with the Sringfield influenced 'Your Lies' followed by the 'Leavin' that has the soul of Aretha stamped all over it. 'Life Is Bad' rings of Sheryl Crow, and is one of Shelby's show standards. This is not to say that Shelby isn't original; no she is very much the composer and the stylist. 'Thought It Would Be Easier', 'Lookin' Up' and 'Black Light Blue' are very beautiful, sad, lazy, soul-blues. Shelby's tribute to Alabama i.e. 'Where I'm From' echoes of similarities to 60's country-pop legend Bobbie Gentry. I Am Shelby Lynne was co-produced by Sheryl Crow's ex-producer Bill Bottrell, who also shares song writing credits on this album. Bill's ex-wife has become Shelby's manager.This is an album I've listened to at least 100 times and it's going on again right now. Love, Shelby The same music formula that made I Am Shelby Lynne a favourite of most music critics world-wide is again evident here; but there is also a freshness added to this new album thanks to Lynne's new producer, guitarist and song collaborator Glen Ballard (of Alanis Morissette fame). Also on board is slide-guitar maestro Sonny Landreth (of John Mayall & John Hiatt fame) who adds haunting soundscapes to most of Shelby's new songs. Love, Shelby includes the lonely 'I Can't wait', the dreamy 'Tarpoleon Napoleon', the funky 'Ain't It The Truth', and 'Killin' Kind' that was included in the movie 'Bridget Jones Diary'. Shelby concludes 'Love, Shelby' with a deeply personal and emotional rendition of John Lennon's 'Mother'. Love Shelby is a sophisticated blend of styles ranging from soulful-pop melodies to dreamy country-folk-rock songs that are raw, intimate and sensual, and recall the vocal greatness of such luminaries as Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin. Sure you can compare Shelby to many other great rock'n'soul singers both past and present, yet the more you listen to Shelby the more you realise that she is unique. Shelby recorded five country albums in the past, yet it is her two beautifully crafted pop albums that have revealed the dynamic singer/songwriter she really is. Shelby is the real deal! Recently some of Shelby's songs have appeared in blockbuster movies such as Bridgit Jones Diary (Leaving, Killing Kind), and Shallow Hal (Wall Around Your Heart). GazzClick on album image to see larger album cover 
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