Search - Shelby Lynne :: Sunrise

The first album of an eventful career

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 02/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Shelby first signed a recording contract, George Jones was quick to recognize her talent and asked her to record a duet with him. The song, If I could bottle this up, was a minor country hit and was included on George's album, Friends in high places (the title was a pun on Garth Brooks' hit, Friends in low places). Shelby then recorded this album. She was still a teenager but demonstrated great maturity and depth. Shelby has a classic country voice with a bluesy edge.In the liner notes, Shelby cites Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Barbara Mandrell and Barbra Streisand as her inspirations. She clearly has impeccable taste but of the four, Barbara Mandrell is the strongest influence here. One of the songs, This time I almost made it, is a cover of one of Barbara's country hits of the seventies, while the style of music here is contemporary country, so although Shelby does not sound like Barbara, the influence is clear. The influence of the other three is less obvious, if it is there at all, on this album.Apart from This time I almost made it, there are two other oldies (I love you so much it hurts, I'm confessing) and seven other excellent songs, which are all originals as far as I know. Shelby is particularly good on the ballads that make up most of this album.As we all know, Shelby's career has taken many twists and turns since this album was released, but if you want to hear her sing country music, this is the album to buy. Country music has remained a major influence on her music ever since but this album is definitely a country album. If you like Shelby for her more recent music, you may not like this. To enjoy all Shelby's albums, your musical taste has to be as eclectic as mine."

Very hard to find

Valerie J. Grimes | Phoenix, AZ United States | 12/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was Lynne's debut album, released when she was barely out of her teens. It was released in 1976 on Epic and if you have the one with the duet cut with George Jones, If I Could Bottle This Up" you've got a real collector's item on your hands. The one I received is a rerelease from 1989 and does not have that song, but it's still a great CD with real country flavor (I still love Shelby, but she doesn't sound very country anymore.) Ten great cuts, very fun to listen to - a must-have for any Shelby Lynne fan."

Nothing She Can't Do

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 04/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Shelby Lynne's freshman CD certainly did not predict the fiercely independent artist who subsequently developed. However, as a country set by a promising young singer, it's still interesting 16 years later. Lynne sounds particularly mature on Billy Sherrill's "This Time I Almost Made It," a tear-in-your-beer weeper also covered by Barbara Mandrell & Tammy Wynette. Eddy Arnold, Patsy Cline & Ray Charles all recorded Floyd Tillman's "I Love You So Much It Hurts." Shelby brings a studied sadness to the mix until she blows the emotional roof off on "There's nothing I can do." "I'm Confessin'" also has that great classic country sound. Shelby Lynne's first disc is worth going back to pick up, particularly if you want to see how far she's come! Enjoy!"