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Road To Redemption

I actually bought a new Shelby Lynne vinyl LP knowing full well that I already own the CD plus numerous digital versions on every music service imaginable. Not to mention, I don't have a proper turntable - you can't count the one in my 10 year old son's room.

I'm well aware that I just dedicated a post to Shelby Lynne in August but hear me out.

Last night I had the good fortune - with approximately 149 other lucky souls, of seeing her play live in a tiny venue in San Francisco. Alone on a dimly lit stage, with nothing but her guitars, she played her latest LP Revelation Road from start to finish and revelation it was. 

The official release was yesterday and while I've been listening to a pre-release copy for months, I don't think I really "heard" it until now.

It's safe to say I've gone from pretty sure to damn sure she is one of the most talented singer-songwriters in her genre - heck ANY genre if you throw in her ability to play that guitar.

I'm officially a convert and you will be too. You don't need to love country/folk/blues music or be from the South. All you need is time, a lot of time, to REALLY listen to her songs - the purity of her voice, the truth in her lyrics and the rawness and imperfections of her near-perfect guitar. 

Back to why I bought that vinyl. Although I have bought and sold a ton of records over the years, following the trends and converting vinyl to CD to MP3 to the cloud, I think I know enough about trends to predict the really good stuff will always have a place in any vinyl collection. Tears, Lies, and Alibis qualifies as really good stuff - plus it's THE one that got me hooked.

Michelle's Happy Hour Starter

For today's happy hour starter, I wanted a drink recipe that has the same mellowing effect as this new song by Lianne La Havas. Part Feist, part Adele, part Style Council - it's so easy on the ears and I'm looking forward to checking out the entire EP - Lost & Found.

Now on to the cocktail - Fancy Bourbon. Not that fancy equals chill necessarily, but bourbon typically has a warming effect and that can definitely translate to a more relaxed state of mind.

I'm also a fan of this particular brand of "fancy" bourbon. It's super tasty, looks great on the bar and it sells for under $20 at Trader Joe's.

Fancy Bourbon

2 oz bourbon whiskey
1/2 tsp triple sec
1/4 tsp superfine sugar
2 dashes bitters
1 twist lemon peel

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the bourbon, triple sec, sugar, and bitters. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the lemon twist.

Cheers! 

A Case of Canadian Treasure

I found another cover song that falls into the veering-into-better-than-the-original territory.

That song is A Case of You - an already near-perfect Joni Mitchell song reinterpreted by the amazing chanteuse k. d. lang. If a closer listen to the vocals doesn't make you weak - the piano certainly will.

Not to put too much focus on just one song - the entire album Hymns of the 49th Parallel , an homage to fellow Canadian singer/song writers, is buried treasure (originally released in 2004) and it's absolutely flawless.  

To say this is on heavy rotation at my house is a HUGE understatement. I could drink a case of you and I would still be on my feet...still be on my feet...

Revolution. Revelation. Bring it on Shelby!



Oh, I've been waiting for this one! Hot off the presses - Shelby Lynne's title track from her forthcoming album Revelation Road.

I missed her sold-out show at the Great American Music Hall last year. Thankfully, that's not the case this time. I'll be anxiously awaiting her performance at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco on October 18th and delving deeper into her old albums just to get ready!

Largely under the radar, it took Shelby 12 years and 6 albums to finally garner a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2000 for I Am Shelby Lynne.

She's on a steady climb and on the radar now - certainly on mine. This review sums up her style perfectly.

"Shelby Lynne affirms her position as a visionary, iconoclastic artist who deftly weaves country, soul, rock, blues, pop and folk influences to forge her own unique style."

I am passionate, equally so, about her past 3 albums - I Am Shelby Lynne - Tears, Lies & Alibis - Just A Little Lovin' - an homage to Dusty Springfield. Heck, I even like her Christmas album.

Here are some of my fav picks from each album respectively. But don't stop with just 3 songs. Find a comfy seat, cue up all 3 albums and hit the shuffle button - I promise you will be hard-pressed to choose just 3.

Leavin'

Alibi

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me

The new single will be available on iTunes tomorrow, the entire album is due out October 18th and here's her tour schedule:

Shelby Lynne – Fall 2011 North American Tour

9/30     Carrboro, NC                          The Arts Center
10/12   San Diego, CA                        Anthology
10/14   Santa Monica, CA                  McCabe’s Guitar Shop
10/15   Santa Monica, CA                  McCabe’s Guitar Shop
10/17   Napa, CA                         Napa Valley Opera House
10/18   San Francisco, CA     Swedish American Music Hall
10/20   Portland, OR                           Mississippi Studios
10/21   Vancouver, BC                       The Rio Theatre
10/22   Seattle, WA                             The Triple Door
10/25   Denver, CO                            Soiled Dove
10/27   Minneapolis, MN                     Dakota Jazz Club
10/28   Chicago, IL                              Lincoln Hall
10/30   Cleveland, OH                     Beachland Ballroom
10/31   Toronto, ON                            Hugh’s Room
11/2     New York, NY                         Highline Ballroom
11/3     Somerville, MA                       Johnny D’s
11/5     Philadelphia, PA                      Tin Angel
11/6     Philadelphia, PA                      Tin Angel
11/7     Annapolis, MD                      Rams Head On Stage
11/8     Alexandria, VA                        Birchmere