Monday, July 12, 2010

On Her Own

Tears, Lies and Alibis--Shelby Lynne--"I like this record a lot. I spent a year making it and made a lot of decisions and changes during that period," Ms. Lynne writes on her Facebook page.

"It was fun at times, not fun sometimes. But in the end, this is the record I wanted you to hear and the one I thought you would love."

She's celebrating her independence these days because she's created her own label, called Everso Records.  "I finally have the creative control I’ve needed to get my vision out there..."

Her vision on Tears, Lies and Alibis is one of heartbreak and, oddly enough, Airstream trailers:

"When the sun hits her right/She'll blind you with her light a beacon of royalty, ooooh/Yeah, she's like a Van Gogh or an old Picasso oh what a sight to see."

This recording, produced by Ms. Lynne herself, won't knock you over at first, like her last project, a tribute to Dusty Springfield, produced by legend Phil Ramone and sporting classics "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," "Breakfast in Bed," and "How Can I Be Sure."  Her vocals, of course, are right on from the first phrase, but the songs, mostly short--she doesn't waste our time--may take several listens before you connect.  That's a sign this is going to have a long shelf life--speaking of which, soul organist and songwriter Spooner Oldham backs her on Tears, Lies, and Alibis.  You probably first heard him on the 1960s' hit "When a Man Loves a Woman," performed by Percy Sledge.

Shelby Lynne returns to the Narrows August 5.  See her perform on the Late Late Show by clicking here.

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