Shelby Lynne

[grotty]

I know this is late, but you could do worse than checking her out tonight @ the Club.
 
 I saw her last night here in Pitt and she was very good.
 
 If you like Lucinda Williams I can't imagine you'd be disappointed.
 
 She's playing a lot off the new record & the grammy winner from a few years ago + a few choice covers (J Cash, A Franklin)

[wxdude]

I'm going, I think her new CD is one of the best to be released this year by far.

[grotty]

If you have the new one & "I Am Shelby Lynne" you'll know everything she plays (assuming you know the covers - hope she does the Johnny Cash medley for you)
 
 She's got a great band with her - the cool thing is the band is the opener, so there's really no set change. They take a very short break & then Shelby comes slinking on...looking better than ever.
 
 Hope you enjoy - let me know what you think.

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

Well $25 is a bit steep for any show, and if I'm going to pay that much, it's not going to be for Shelby. Judging by the size of the crowd, perhaps others agreed.
 
    But thanks to being on the 9:30 mailing list, we got a 2 for 1 offer and couldn't resist.
 
    Lucinda Williams probably wouldn't be an accurate comparison. Shelby integrates more jazz, r&b, and soul, and less country-rock than Lucinda. She put on a good, though not great show. I actually liked her own stuff better than the Cash and Franklin covers, and when her cover of Tony Joe White's Polk Salad Annie started stretching into jam band land, it was time to hit the road. It was my first time seeing her, and the whole time I couldn't help but wonder, "When did Shelby become a lesbian?"
 
    And speaking of lesbians...
 
    The crowd was equally as entertaining as Shelby. We were standing next to a couple of hot lesbians (the kind Mankie and Smackie would approve of) who were groping each other for the duration...they left slightly early, probably looking to get a room. I was just glad the hottest woman in the room didn't decide to leave and tag along with the second and third hottest, instead opting to stay with this porky schlump.
 
    Also entertaing was the 50-something foursome standing in front of us. Two women in their business suits (one who danced like the church lady) and their two men...One of the men had on this idiotic looking red and blue cloth belt with his khakis and dress shirt, and was playing air guitar, pointing at the stage, and doing other totally white middle age guy dance moves heretofore only seen in movies they show on domestic flights. I couldn't help but think, "This guy probably has some teenage/twentysomething children who would be completely embarassed if the saw dad right now."
 
    Overall, a good show...BUT FOR CHRISTSAKES 9:30 CLUB, COULD YOU PLEASE TURN DOWN THE AC? MY WIFE FROZE HER BALLS OFF!

[grotty]

Just because there are lesbians at the show doesn't necessarily make her a lesbian.
 
 Also Lucinda Williams is an accurate *comparison *. I didn't say she was a Lucinda cover band - just that she's similar to her. It's a reference point.
 If you don't think that Lucinda Williams incorprates elements of R&B, soul & even jazz into her music then you just don't know her very well. Check out "Righteously" from World Without Tears for a primer.
 
 Maybe if you had spent more time watching the show instead of the lesbians you would have had a better appreciation.

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

I didn't say I didn't appreciate the show, I just said she didn't remind me of Lucinda Williams. Saw Lucinda this summer, and her set was a smoldering rock and roll set, with bistering guitar solos. Shelby had a band with a stickless drummer and stand up bass that was more reminscent of the understated stylings of Norah Jones than it was of Lucinda Williams, circa 2003.
 
    I wish I had seen Shelby's sister Allison Moorer a couple of weeks ago at Iota and could make comparisons. I still think I like Allison a little bit more.
 
    And no, I wasn't saying Shelby was a lesbian. But she does come off as fairly butch for a 90 pound straight girl, and it's not surprising that she would have a lesbian following (having toured with KD Lang doesn't hurt either).

[grotty]

I can't believe you really think she's butch looking?!?
 
 I know I remember you expressing an affinity for female body hair...yet you think this woman is butch?
 
 I don't think your wife is the only one in your relationship that likes to say & do things to *shock* or incite. Everything you write seems designed to do this - the lesbian comments - the critique of another's opinions - the butch statement.
 
 We think so differently that I don't even want to discuss this with you anymore.

[Celeste]

He's just misunderstood, here. I know what he means, but can see how his comments could easily be misinterpreted...
 
 I think you're being a little sensitive, too, which would add to the misinterpretation.
 
 He's saying he liked the show, OK?

[grotty]

Why would I be sensitive about it? It has no impact on me at all.
 
 I just wonder why a discussion concerning lesbians fans and an artist being butch has to even occur. Especially if it's unfounded.
 
 If Shelby Lynne is butch, I'd love to hear a few descriptive adjectives for Lucinda Willliams.

[Celeste]

Originally posted by grotty:
  Why would I be sensitive about it? It has no impact on me at all.

I'm not sure....
 
  I just wonder why a discussion concerning lesbians fans and an artist being butch has to even occur.
 
 Do any of the discussions on this board really need a reason?
 
  If Shelby Lynne is butch, I'd love to hear a few descriptive adjectives for Lucinda Willliams.
 
 Please, don't encourage him    

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

Lucinda Williams...um, skanky and haggard? Which is not to say she's not an excellent artist.
 
    What I mean about Shelby is that she has a somewhat deep voice that is loud. When she says "Thank you" after each song, she bellows it, she doesn't whisper it. I would normally think someone who goes about 5'1" and 90 lbs or so would be a bit mousier in demeanor. She also has a bit of an androgynous haircut, and she was wearing black leather pants with a wallet chain.
 
    My calling her butch is not meant as an insult, rather an observation. Hell, if anything it's a compliment. Better to be a little butch that a little mouse.
 
    And who are you to say what I should say in my review of the show? Are you just looking for someone to basically validate everything you said, or someone to offer what they thought of the show regardless of whether is validates your opinion?
 
    My wife pointed out that she had a sizable lesbian following. No, this wouldn't have been noteworthy to me if I were at a KD Lang, Ani DiFranco, or Indigo Girls show. But since I was at a show by someone who was a former Nashville hit producer now turned pseudo-alt-country gal, and a straight one to boot, I did find it noteworthy.
 
    And I'm sorry, my gaydar did detect a lesbian vibe, even if she's not.
 
   

Originally posted by grotty:
  Why would I be sensitive about it? It has no impact on me at all.
 
 I just wonder why a discussion concerning lesbians fans and an artist being butch has to even occur. Especially if it's unfounded.
 
 If Shelby Lynne is butch, I'd love to hear a few descriptive adjectives for Lucinda Willliams.

[grotty]

I don't need or want you to validate anything.
 
 What I would want though is for you to be complete, consistent and accurate so that I know what you're saying has any merit.
 
 Examples...
 
 You mention her attire. Yet you only emphasize what supports your contentions. Was she naked from the waist up? Your description is consistent with what she was wearing in Pittsburgh...with the omission of a very small & very feminine ?tank top?.
 
 Androgynous haircut? - I just read a review that said she is sporting a 'bob'. Androgynous? hmmm...
 
 I have never been to a show by a female singer that didn't have a number of obviously lesbian fans in attendance. Not just the Indigo Girls either. It just makes sense - If you prefer women, then why not go to a concert performed by a talented and attractive woman. I can't believe that you really found this surprising - especially for someone with such an allegedly open outlook.
 
 I could care less what your opinions are. In fact, I might even be persuaded to see another point of view if you offered something different. But that would require that I believe I'm actually getting an opinion and not just something tossed off to incite controversy.
 
 ***************
 
 All that said - you guys should go see Joe Henry when he comes to Iota on 11/17. One of the best shows I've seen this year. Short but very sweet.

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

Skanky and haggard may be a bit too harsh...
 
 But since you asked...I think Lucinda tries to look and dress like a 20 year old punk girl...the messy platinum hair, lots of makeup, the black clothes...
 
 While that look has it's appeal when applied to 20 year olds, it's just not all that flattering on a 50 year old. You can be 50, and look 50, and still look damn attractive. Choose a more classic look befitting of your age. Don't try to look 20, because you can't and aren't. Just my opinion and my own personal taste.
 
 Musically, I think Lucinda's lost it a bit on the last two albums. Not completely, but not as good as Car Wheels and before...

[chaz]

This whole conflict just seems so ridiculous to me.  I just don't understand why you are so bent out of shape over Rhett's review.  So you don't agree with it....big deal!

[wxdude]

Well, I thought it was a great show, though I was a little surprised by the low turnout.  I didn't think the price was too high, it was comparable to most shows.  I was very happy she stuck to material from the new CD and "I am...".  I also thought the Johnny Cash covers were very good, especially "Ring of Fire".  This was my first time seeing her, and I was so impressed I might go to her show at the RamsHead this Saturday.