Because Huntsville sucks, finding a copy of I Am Shelby Lynne was incredibly frustrating, but as legendary Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant used to say, "The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards." I think I almost snapped the CD in two trying to cram the disc into my shitty car stereo as I drove home. Part of that was due to an eagerness I haven't experienced in a few years. Part of that was because I was trying to get the hell out of the shit-hole neighborhood I had to drive to just to find the CD. Self-preservation should have told me to put the CD in the stereo when I got out of there, but I had needs stronger than self-preservation. That's how it is when I get lost in the music. Since buying I Am…, not a month has gone by where I haven't listened to all or part of this incredible record. I'm still finding new places to get lost in this record.
One final piece of synergy for you: when Mark called to ask if I'd like to guest on this week's Friday Morning Listen, I was on my way to a store to buy Lynne's Dusty Springfield tribute CD Just A Little Lovin'. I'm like a gambler, chasing that next big hand. Listening to I Am Shelby Lynne feels too good. How could I not want to feel that way again? How could I not want to feel that way all the time? I don't understand people who don't feel that way about music.
I'm buzzing with anticipation just staring at the cover of Just A Little Lovin', and I'm going to chase that next fix just as soon as I finish listening to I Am Shelby Lynne just one more time.
Article comments
1 - Donald Gibson
You got the (far) better album the first time around. Just a Little Lovin' is good, but it doesn't come close to what was captured on I Am Shelby Lynne.
2 - Clarence Yu
Wow. I had a copy of this CD somewhere. I bought it at one time when it came out because of all the raves I had heard about it, but never got the chance to really listen to it. It's most likely (I hope) somewhere in my collection. I just love it the feeling of re-discovering a certain piece of music that you knew in your gut was worthwhile later on. Reading your review makes me want to check my collection bin. I hope I can find it.
3 - Josh Hathaway
Clarence, I share your joy and enthusiasm for rediscovering great albums that have sat on the shelf for awhile. It happens to me frequently. You should spend some time with this record, soon.
Donald, I've gotten to listen to half of Just a Little Lovin' and so far I quite like it. It's not a perfect record but it's very, very good. I'm hoping to get a writeup of it done soon and we'll talk more.