Just a Little Lovin' (Shelby Lynne album)
Encyclopedia
Just a Little Lovin' is the tenth studio album by Shelby Lynne
, released in the United States and Canada on January 29, 2008. The album is a tribute to British singer Dusty Springfield
, and features covers of nine songs popularized by her, in addition to "Pretend", an original song written by Lynne. Three of the covers are of songs from Springfield's debut album, while another four are of selections from Springfield's widely acclaimed fifth album, Dusty in Memphis
.
Lynne's tenth studio album is also her debut album for Lost Highway Records; the label released a promotional EP
recorded in conjunction with radio station KCRW four days prior to the album. This album marks a return to Universal Music Group
after Lynne released her previous two studio albums through Capitol Records
. Though recorded at Capitol's Studio A in Los Angeles, California
during January 2007, Lynne initially found her completed album without a distributing label amidst Capitol's merge with Virgin Records
. Lynne told the Sydney Morning Herald in a January 25, 2008, interview, "We cut the record the week Capitol Records busted up. So we're downstairs wondering why upstairs isn't coming down to check us out. Turns out there was no upstairs there."
Outside the United States and Canada, the album is distributed by Mercury Records
, the initial distributing label for her critical breakthrough album, I Am Shelby Lynne
, when it was released in the United Kingdom prior to its American distribution.
, Lynne discussed the inspiration she gained for the project, with Springfield having been a favorite singer of Lynne's since she was 28. Lynne further credits suggestion from Barry Manilow
for her consideration in making the album, stating on her website and various interviews that the idea of covering Springfield's songs had come as early as spring of 2005, close to the release of Lynne's ninth album, Suit Yourself
.
Aside from influences Lynne has discussed, her performance on I Am Shelby Lynne had drawn critical comparisons to Springfield's Dusty in Memphis, with each album said to be pivotal to the career of the respective artist.
or horn section
. The reimagining of Springfield's songs has been a frequent mention in reviews of the album, notably in the four-star critique by Bill Friskics-Warren in Nashville
's largest newspaper, The Tennessean
. Jim Farber, a critic for the New York Daily News
, stated in his review that Lynne "[makes] Springfield's hits her own by inverting them on almost every level." Rhapsody (online music service)
praised the album, calling it one of their favorite cover albums.
While reviews have generally been favorable for the album, some critics have noted desire for a more forcefully delivered performance as Springfield had provided on many of the songs — and as Lynne herself had shown on her own early projects. As Louisville Courier-Journal critic Jeffrey Lee Puckett wrote in his album review, "She instead decided to make the record one long, slow burn — very slow, to the point where most songs tend to barely ignite or even bleed together. The result is, at best, killer make-out music and, at worst, background for a pleasant meal."
The album garnered one award nomination in the Best Engineered Non-Classical Album
category for the 51st Grammy Awards
, recognizing the work of album engineer Al Schmitt
. Just a Little Lovin' lost to the eventual winner, Consolers of the Lonely
, performed by The Raconteurs
.
. While this album entered the magazine's main album chart (the Billboard 200
) within the 50 most popular albums of the week, Lynne's previous album (Suit Yourself
) had failed to make the chart. As of August 20, 2008, the album has sold 81,000 copies in the US.
, was released through the U.S. edition of iTunes
on December 18, 2007. The song, along with "The Look of Love
" (a U.S. exclusive release for Springfield), is one of two selections from the U.S. edition of the album written by Burt Bacharach
and Hal David
. (A cover of "Wishin' and Hopin'
", another Bacharach/David selection referencing Springfield's debut, was added as a bonus track to the British edition of the album.)
* Released on UK edition
Shelby Lynne
Shelby Lynne is an American singer, songwriter and actress. The success of the 1999 album I Am Shelby Lynne led to her winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, even though she had been active in the music industry for some time...
, released in the United States and Canada on January 29, 2008. The album is a tribute to British singer Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
, and features covers of nine songs popularized by her, in addition to "Pretend", an original song written by Lynne. Three of the covers are of songs from Springfield's debut album, while another four are of selections from Springfield's widely acclaimed fifth album, Dusty in Memphis
Dusty in Memphis
Dusty in Memphis is a landmark album by Dusty Springfield, released in 1969. It was produced by Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin and engineered by Tom Dowd. "So Much Love", "Son of a Preacher Man", "The Windmills Of Your Mind", "Breakfast in Bed", "Just One Smile", "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore",...
.
Lynne's tenth studio album is also her debut album for Lost Highway Records; the label released a promotional EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
recorded in conjunction with radio station KCRW four days prior to the album. This album marks a return to Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
after Lynne released her previous two studio albums through Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
. Though recorded at Capitol's Studio A in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
during January 2007, Lynne initially found her completed album without a distributing label amidst Capitol's merge with Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. Lynne told the Sydney Morning Herald in a January 25, 2008, interview, "We cut the record the week Capitol Records busted up. So we're downstairs wondering why upstairs isn't coming down to check us out. Turns out there was no upstairs there."
Outside the United States and Canada, the album is distributed by Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, the initial distributing label for her critical breakthrough album, I Am Shelby Lynne
I Am Shelby Lynne
I Am Shelby Lynne is the sixth studio album by Shelby Lynne, released on April 10, 1999 in the United Kingdom, and on January 25, 2000 in the United States...
, when it was released in the United Kingdom prior to its American distribution.
Inspiration
In a January 29, 2008, article in The AdvocateThe Advocate
The Advocate is an American LGBT-interest magazine, printed monthly and available by subscription. The Advocate brand also includes a web site. Both magazine and web site have an editorial focus on news, politics, opinion, and arts and entertainment of interest to LGBT people...
, Lynne discussed the inspiration she gained for the project, with Springfield having been a favorite singer of Lynne's since she was 28. Lynne further credits suggestion from Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
for her consideration in making the album, stating on her website and various interviews that the idea of covering Springfield's songs had come as early as spring of 2005, close to the release of Lynne's ninth album, Suit Yourself
Suit Yourself
Suit Yourself is the ninth studio album by Shelby Lynne, released on May 24, 2005. The album is the second consecutive self-produced album for Lynne, and one of two recorded for release by Capitol Records...
.
Aside from influences Lynne has discussed, her performance on I Am Shelby Lynne had drawn critical comparisons to Springfield's Dusty in Memphis, with each album said to be pivotal to the career of the respective artist.
Style and reception
In contrast to the more fully instrumented original versions Dusty Springfield recorded, Lynne's recordings of many of the covers are presented in comparatively spare arrangements, favoring acoustic guitars and pianos rather than a stringString section
The string section is the largest body of the standard orchestra and consists of bowed string instruments of the violin family.It normally comprises five sections: the first violins, the second violins, the violas, the cellos, and the double basses...
or horn section
Horn section
In music, a horn section can refer to several groups of musicians. It can refer to the musicians in a symphony orchestra who play the horn . In a British-style brass band it refers to the tenor horn players. In popular music, it can also refer to a small group of wind instrumentalists who augment a...
. The reimagining of Springfield's songs has been a frequent mention in reviews of the album, notably in the four-star critique by Bill Friskics-Warren in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
's largest newspaper, The Tennessean
The Tennessean
The Tennessean is the principal daily newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Its circulation area covers 39 counties in Middle Tennessee and eight counties in southern Kentucky....
. Jim Farber, a critic for the New York Daily News
New York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
, stated in his review that Lynne "[makes] Springfield's hits her own by inverting them on almost every level." Rhapsody (online music service)
Rhapsody (online music service)
Rhapsody is an online music store subscription service, launched in December 2001, and available in the United States only. On April 6, 2010, Rhapsody officially declared its independence from RealNetworks. Downloaded files come with restrictions on their use, enforced by Helix, Rhapsody's version...
praised the album, calling it one of their favorite cover albums.
While reviews have generally been favorable for the album, some critics have noted desire for a more forcefully delivered performance as Springfield had provided on many of the songs — and as Lynne herself had shown on her own early projects. As Louisville Courier-Journal critic Jeffrey Lee Puckett wrote in his album review, "She instead decided to make the record one long, slow burn — very slow, to the point where most songs tend to barely ignite or even bleed together. The result is, at best, killer make-out music and, at worst, background for a pleasant meal."
The album garnered one award nomination in the Best Engineered Non-Classical Album
Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
The Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical has been awarded since 1959. The award had several minor name changes:*In 1959 the award was known as Best Engineered Record - Non-Classical...
category for the 51st Grammy Awards
51st Grammy Awards
The 51st Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on February 8, 2009. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were the biggest winners of the night, jointly winning five awards including Album of the Year and Record of the Year...
, recognizing the work of album engineer Al Schmitt
Al Schmitt
Al Schmitt is a recording engineer and record producer.-Early career:Schmitt grew up in New York City. After serving in the U.S. Navy he began working at Apex Recording Studios at the age of 19. In the late 1950's Schmitt moved to Los Angeles and became a staff engineer at Radio Recorders on Santa...
. Just a Little Lovin
Consolers of the Lonely
Consolers of the Lonely is the second album of The Raconteurs. It was released on March 25, 2008 on Warner Bros. Records in most parts of the world, and a day earlier on XL Recordings in the UK....
, performed by The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs is an American rock band that was formed in Detroit, Michigan, featuring four members known for other musical projects: Jack White , Brendan Benson , Jack Lawrence , and Patrick Keeler .-Formation:The...
.
Charts and sales
In its debut week of sales, the album garnered a career sales high for Lynne, according to BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
. While this album entered the magazine's main album chart (the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
) within the 50 most popular albums of the week, Lynne's previous album (Suit Yourself
Suit Yourself
Suit Yourself is the ninth studio album by Shelby Lynne, released on May 24, 2005. The album is the second consecutive self-produced album for Lynne, and one of two recorded for release by Capitol Records...
) had failed to make the chart. As of August 20, 2008, the album has sold 81,000 copies in the US.
| Chart | Peak position |
Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
41 | ||
| Swedish Album Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
58 |
Singles
The sole single from the album, Lynne's cover of "Anyone Who Had a Heart" from Springfield's debut album A Girl Called DustyA Girl Called Dusty
A Girl Called Dusty was the debut album of British singer Dusty Springfield. It was released in the UK on Philips Records in 1964.Dusty Springfield had been a member of the girl group The Lana Sisters from 1958 to 1960, and the folk-pop trio The Springfields from 1960–1963, in the latter case with...
, was released through the U.S. edition of iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on December 18, 2007. The song, along with "The Look of Love
The Look of Love (1967 song)
"The Look of Love" is a popular song composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and sung by Dusty Springfield, which appeared in the 1967 spoof James Bond film Casino Royale.-Songwriters:...
" (a U.S. exclusive release for Springfield), is one of two selections from the U.S. edition of the album written by Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
and Hal David
Hal David
Harold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
. (A cover of "Wishin' and Hopin'
Wishin' and Hopin'
"Wishin' and Hopin" is a song written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach which was a Top Ten hit for Dusty Springfield in 1964.The song was first recorded by Dionne Warwick and was the B-side of Warwick's single "This Empty Place" in the spring of 1963; the track was also featured on Warwick's debut...
", another Bacharach/David selection referencing Springfield's debut, was added as a bonus track to the British edition of the album.)
Track listing
| Track # | Song | Springfield album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Just a Little Lovin'" | Dusty in Memphis Dusty in Memphis Dusty in Memphis is a landmark album by Dusty Springfield, released in 1969. It was produced by Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin and engineered by Tom Dowd. "So Much Love", "Son of a Preacher Man", "The Windmills Of Your Mind", "Breakfast in Bed", "Just One Smile", "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore",... |
5:19 |
| 2 | "Anyone Who Had a Heart" | A Girl Called Dusty A Girl Called Dusty A Girl Called Dusty was the debut album of British singer Dusty Springfield. It was released in the UK on Philips Records in 1964.Dusty Springfield had been a member of the girl group The Lana Sisters from 1958 to 1960, and the folk-pop trio The Springfields from 1960–1963, in the latter case with... |
3:13 |
| 3 | "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me You Don't Have to Say You Love Me "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" is the title of a 1966 hit recorded by British singer Dusty Springfield which proved to be her career record reaching #1 UK and #4 US: the song subsequently charted in the UK via remakes by Elvis Presley , Guys 'n' Dolls and Denise Welch with Presley's version... " |
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (album) You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is the fourth album of singer Dusty Springfield to be released in the USA, issued on the Philips Records label in 1966... |
4:11 |
| 4 | "I Only Want to Be with You I Only Want to Be with You "I Only Want to Be with You" is a rock-and-roll song by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde. It was the first solo single released by British singer Dusty Springfield under her long-time producer Johnny Franz... " |
Stay Awhile/I Only Want to Be with You Stay Awhile/I Only Want to Be with You Stay Awhile/I Only Want to Be with You is the first album of singer Dusty Springfield to be released in the USA. It was issued on the Philips Records label in 1964 and includes Springfield's hit singles "I Only Want To Be With You", "Stay Awhile" and "Wishin' And Hopin'".Springfield's British debut... |
3:50 |
| 5 | "The Look of Love The Look of Love (1967 song) "The Look of Love" is a popular song composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and sung by Dusty Springfield, which appeared in the 1967 spoof James Bond film Casino Royale.-Songwriters:... " |
The Look of Love The Look of Love (Dusty Springfield album) The Look of Love is the fifth album of singer Dusty Springfield to be released in the USA, issued on the Philips Records label in late 1967. The album gathered seven tracks from Springfield's British 1967 album Where Am I Going? with both the A- and B-sides of the singles "Give Me Time"/"The Look... |
3:21 |
| 6 | "Breakfast in Bed Breakfast in Bed "Breakfast in Bed" is a soul–R&B song written by Muscle Shoals songwriters Eddie Hinton and Donnie Fritts for Dusty Springfield. It takes a knowing spin on the line "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me", the title of a song which had previously been a number one hit for her in the UK... " |
Dusty in Memphis Dusty in Memphis Dusty in Memphis is a landmark album by Dusty Springfield, released in 1969. It was produced by Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin and engineered by Tom Dowd. "So Much Love", "Son of a Preacher Man", "The Windmills Of Your Mind", "Breakfast in Bed", "Just One Smile", "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore",... |
3:21 |
| 7 | "Willie and Laura Mae Jones" | See All Her Faces See All Her Faces See All Her Faces is the seventh studio album by singer Dusty Springfield, originally released on the Philips Records label in 1972. It contains a mixture of tracks from different recording sessions; some tracks were recorded with Jeff Barry for an aborted third album for Atlantic Records, other... |
4:08 |
| 8 | "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" | Dusty in Memphis Dusty in Memphis Dusty in Memphis is a landmark album by Dusty Springfield, released in 1969. It was produced by Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin and engineered by Tom Dowd. "So Much Love", "Son of a Preacher Man", "The Windmills Of Your Mind", "Breakfast in Bed", "Just One Smile", "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore",... |
4:37 |
| 9 | "Pretend" | 3:06 | |
| 10 | "How Can I Be Sure How Can I Be Sure "How Can I Be Sure" is a popular song. Written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, it was originally recorded by The Young Rascals on their 1967 album Groovin and became their fourth Top 10 hit in the United States, peaking at #4.... " |
On audio single "How Can I Be Sure How Can I Be Sure "How Can I Be Sure" is a popular song. Written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, it was originally recorded by The Young Rascals on their 1967 album Groovin and became their fourth Top 10 hit in the United States, peaking at #4.... " (1970) |
3:37 |
| 11* | "Wishin' and Hopin' Wishin' and Hopin' "Wishin' and Hopin" is a song written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach which was a Top Ten hit for Dusty Springfield in 1964.The song was first recorded by Dionne Warwick and was the B-side of Warwick's single "This Empty Place" in the spring of 1963; the track was also featured on Warwick's debut... " |
A Girl Called Dusty A Girl Called Dusty A Girl Called Dusty was the debut album of British singer Dusty Springfield. It was released in the UK on Philips Records in 1964.Dusty Springfield had been a member of the girl group The Lana Sisters from 1958 to 1960, and the folk-pop trio The Springfields from 1960–1963, in the latter case with... |
External links
- "The Return of Blue-Eyed Soul", Chebatoris, Jac. Newsweek (web exclusive), November 21, 2007, accessed January 23, 2008
- "Shelby Lynne's Dusty Trail", Hoerburger, Rob. The New York Times Magazine, January 13, 2008, accessed January 24, 2008
(including comparison of "Breakfast In Bed" audio clips of Springfield and Lynne) - "Anyone Who Had a Heart" streaming audio from Entertainment Weekly
- "Shelby Lynne talks about her new album 'Just A Little Lovin’,' an homage to Dusty Springfield," www.edgeboston.com, January 25, 2008, accessed February 1, 2008