Shelby Lynne on her own



It seems truly unbelievable that a record company such as Lost Highway could reject an album by Shelby Lynne, particularly when it is as compelling and heartfelt as Tears, Lies & Alibis.

But it happened. It goes on more than you would think with top artists. As Lynne mentioned during her set at The Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Mass., Friday, she was through with the world of corporate companies and has released Tears, Lies & Alibis on her own label, Everso Records.

Now, she said, she can release an album anytime she wants to and promised a Christmas album this year, something she has been trying to convince a record label to do for 20 years.

Amid all this life-changing turmoil, Lynne is touring the country in support of Tears with a three-piece band that includes Nashville guitarist John Jackson and Lynne’s producer and bass player, Brian Harrison.

At the Iron Horse they ran through a beautifully arranged set that featured songs from the new album and material from her previous albums, all of which since 2000’s I Am Shelby Lynne have showcased her extraordinary voice and songwriting skills, with an eclectic mix of country, rock, folk, Southern soul, blues and more.

Fortunately, the videos above and below, shot by one of her crew, show off Lynne’s performance at the Iron Horse. So, you can get an intimate and immediate display of her talents. She also often talked extensively between songs and some of the raps were very funny.

Hearing her music in this stripped-down setting was revelatory and a wonderful showcase for Jackson’s prodigious picking skills, particularly on slide that he makes sound like a pedal steel. Jackson is on the new album as well as Harrison, so between recording and playing live now for several weeks, the three were tight and played with a strong feel and connection to the music and each other.

Lynne opened with the first five songs from Tears, Lies & Alibis: Rains Came, one of only two songs on which she sang without her guitar; the short but poignant Why Didn’t You Call Me; Like A Fool, the first of many slow tempo torchers; Alibi, perhaps the best-crafted song on the album (see video below), embued with life experience and root-shaking feeling; and Something To Be Said About Airstreams, for which she joked about really hitting a dry well for songwriting when you realize you just wrote a song about Airstreams. Nonetheless, it’s a worthwhile and tender tune.

Shelby Lynne Sings SmallThese were followed by the rockin’ Southern soul of Life Is Bad, from I Am Shelby Lynne, and its rich release into a melodic and soul-stirring chorus. The set included two more songs from Tears, Loser Dreamer, the tune that touched off the inspiration for the album, Lynne says, and Old #7, a ballad about finding solace in the bottle.

10 Rocks and I’m Alive from Identity Crisis were yet more highlights as well as a Dusty Springfield song, You Don’t Have To Say You Live Me, from Lynne’s tribute album to the English soul singer, Just A Little Lovin (2008). Leavin’ from I Am closed the main set and after the first encore, Old #7, she finished alone on stage with the tender Iced Tea, from Suit Yourself (2005).

After I discovered I Am Shelby Lynne, I’ve followed her career avidly and enjoyed each of her releases, despite some inexplicable criticisms in the music press, for instance for Love Shelby, which followed I Am and is one of her most fully formed and effective records containing some of her best known and best written songs such as Jesus On A Greyhound.

Her music holds a strong connection to her Southern roots but escapes the cliche of modern country music with skilled song crafting and a voice that melts the listener, whether she sings a rocker or a love song. This tour is not one to be missed and Tears, Lies & Alibis is one of this year’s best albums.

Shelby Lynne 2010 Tour Small

2 thoughts on “Shelby Lynne on her own

  1. Her bass player is Brian Harrison, not Brain Morrison,, he co-produced the album.

  2. Ooops. Thanks very much for that correction, which I’ve now made to the post.

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