Rounding out the package is the approximately 11-minute documentary on the making of Revelation Road. There are no interviews, no voice-overs or any of the other things you'd normally associate with a "making of" type of thing. Instead we're treated to something a lot more interesting. The camera simply follows Lynne around, from her office where she's working on song lyrics down to the studio where we see her laying down everything from lead vocals to the bass and harmony tracks. Be warned, the air turns a little blue when she struggles with the bass line, but that's all part of her reality and makes her that much more human. What's really nice is you have the feeling that the camera was just left running during the whole session and she forgot it was even there. Either that or she's so absorbed in what she's doing nothing is going to distract her.
If, like me, you're not very familiar with Lynne's work, than Revelation Road: Deluxe Edition will ensure you learn a great deal about both her and her music. If you're already a fan, and even if you own the original release, the two live recordings, the bonus tracks, and the mini-documentary will still make it worth your while to buy a copy of this box set. The honesty and integrity of Lynne's material make her a rarity in the world of today's popular music, no matter what genre people want to put her in. In her voice and her music you hear echoes of generations of mountain singers mixed in with lyrics about trying to get by in today's world. As far as I'm concerned, that's what country should sound like, and Lynne has it down cold.
Article comments
1 - Cat Rokitski
I think Richard Marcus really gets what's so unique and wonderful about Shelby Lynne's music. Her music with all its courage and honesty can't help but strike a personal chord inside of her listeners.
2 - Bill Nudo
Richard, I'm glad you finally discovered Shelby. I've been a fan of hers from the beginning, 22 years ago. no, you're not going to hear shelby on the radio because she doesn't fit the mold at all of what the so-called country music is today according to the industry today. That stuff isn't country music. And, at times, Shelby isn't exactly country music. it's Shelby Lynne music, and i think she's the best daggone singer we have out there today. The sorry thing is that there many people that still don't know who she is because she isn't played on the radio, and she really doesn't care. Thanks, man.