Shelby Lynne

I just played this through for the first time this morning. Comments here caused me to go for the CD version instead of risking a noisy LP. I think this is a very good album musically and sonically. The musicians are really top notch and the guitar playing by Dean Parks is, as always, fantastic. The whole album has got a really good "vibe"--a little like Nora Jones but with SOUL. While the recording quality is quite good (I'm sure the fact that Doug did the mastering has helped in this regard) I feel they missed the boat ever so slightly on her vocals. There is a lack of body and immediacy here that detracts ever so slightly from the experience. The vocals are good, just not great. It is the kind of deficiency one might expect from using a lesser quality mic--subtle but noticeable. Anyone else feel the vocals could have been a bit warmer, more focused and more immediate?

Hmm, I actually think the vocals are the best part of the LP.

Just a great record in a sea of bad ones.

Marty

Agree. I tried this morning for the first time since I bought it at Amoeba Music. Hollywood right around when it was released. Absolutely great record and sound. I sat thru the whole record awestruck!

I thought the vocals sounded warm and intimate. The Absolute Sound in the March 2008 issue reviewed it and Neil Gader liked it. He said that she used a mic that was an ancient RCA 44 ribbon mic nicknamed "Frank's mic",giving it a vintage and elegant mood.