Shelby Lynne - Just A Little Lovin'

180-gram LP
All-Analog recording
NO digital version included


Audio Quality: 5/5
Song Quality: 3.5/5
Packaging: 3.25/5


I made this blog so people could find a place to get honest, unbiased opinions about the audio quality of new vinyl releases. However, some releases sound good enough that they generate a buzz of their own, and they don't need help from someone like me to get the attention that they deserve. And that is where this little record comes into play. Though it's not an album I would pick up on my own, this record has gotten such praise for it's audio quality, with ElusiveDisc.com going as far as having a quote from their president on the product page stating "Everyone with a turntable should own this album," that I simply had to hear what all the fuss was about. It's also crazy cheap everywhere you look, so the risk was pretty minimal on my end.

So yes, the hype about this record is completely valid. It sounds absolutely gorgeous. Prior to this writing, when it came to a perfectly warm, pure, and deep sounding analog recording, I had to give the nod to Mr. Waits' Mule Variations release over all contenders. In terms of an overall product, Waits definitely is still the winner here, but this record is the first that I've heard to rival it sonically. The stripped-down arrangements on this record come off the wax with such clarity and vibrancy that it is instantly captivating. The sound of the brushes on the snare drum are impossibly detailed, as are all the harmonics that ring out within every drum nuance. Shelby's creamy vocal sound, coupled with her soulful performances, come through sounding natural, intimate, and downright sexy. I realize how cheesy of a description that is, but I sat here for a good 10 minutes trying to come up with a different way to phrase that, and there simply was none. Sorry. I love the live-in-the-studio vibe this record presents, and, despite a general distaste for these sort of songs, I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the entire listen. Even if this sort of record doesn't usually appeal to you, with such a measly price tag, it's worth picking up just so you can hear for yourself what a beautifully captured analog audio performance is capable of sonically. Taken from her website, Shelby had this to say about the analog recording and vinyl release of this record:

"I think if if we all listen to more music together it really doesn't matter how we do it. Music will save us all just like it always has. We feed our souls with it. Vinyl just creates a little more discussion for us. You get to look at the covers, the liner notes, sometimes the lyrics are included. Plus you can roll a doobie on it. That's hard on an Ipod."

Hottest. Quote. Ever.

Now, for the songs themselves. The album is a collection of songs originally made famous by Dusty Springfield (save track 9, "Pretend," which is an original from Miss Lynne). These songs are stripped down to the most bare-bones arrangements possible, mostly piano, voice, drums, guitar, and bass. That's pretty much it. I won't deny that the arrangements are beautiful, because they are. However, at times they are just a little too cheesy and smooth jazz for my taste. It's the sort of record I can imagine some upper middle class white family in New England putting on as background music for their wine and cheese soiree. Thoughts like this kill me. The most spirited recording of the bunch has to be track 7, "Willie and Laura Mae Jones," featuring banjo and trudging, percussive acoustic guitar playing. Shelby Lynne also lets loose on vocals a bit here which adds to the fun. Other tracks that I thought really translated well would be "I Only Want To Be With You," "Breakfast in Bed," and "Anyone Who Had A Heart." I almost feel uncomfortable criticizing these songs, because as a rule this genre just isn't my favorite, and I don't want that bias to get in the way or anything. However, to my ear, her renditions of "Just A Little Lovin'" and "The Look of Love" are pure cheese. Definitely not up my alley. However, I still happily took the time to listen to this album twice in a row before reviewing, so that should give you an idea of how amazing the sound is compared to whatever criticisms I have about the song arrangements.

Packaging is super minimal. Generic white paper sleeve for the LP. Standard slipcase package for the generic white paper sleeve. No download, no CD. I would probably give the packaging a much lower score if it weren't for the fact that this album is so incredibly inexpensive. Because of that and that alone, I can definitely get over the lack of flare in presentation.

I'm so glad I listened to the hype and picked up this album. The next time someone gives me shit about spending too much money on vinyl when I can get the MP3s for next to nothing, I'll drop this album on the turntable for them to hear. Shelby Lynne can then shut them up on my behalf. Go buy this album.

Buy this LP at ElusiveDisc.com
Buy this LP at Amazon.com

Tomorrow: Morrissey - Years of Refusal