Shelby Lynne's first record in two-and-a-half years is a complete changeup. Lynne has followed her own restless, sometimes reckless, but always adventurous muse for most of her career -- and especially since she released the seminal, I Am Shelby Lynne -- a record she won a Grammy for as "Best New Artist" despite having made five full-lengths previously. On her last outing, Suit Yourself, released in May of 2005, the iconic and mercurial Lynne wrote or co-wrote ten of the twelve tunes on the CD. It was a loose, relaxed set that took no prisoners, moving through country, swamp rock, blues, and ballads. Just a Little Lovin' is a mirror image of sorts. Lynne wrote only one tune here -- the entire record is an homage to the late Dusty Springfield. Nine of its ten cuts are inextricably linked with the legendary British vocalist. Lynne came under the sway of Springfield's work some years ago, and it was Barry Manilow, of all people, who suggested she cut a record like this one after a discussion of Springfield's work with Lynne.　　 　　Perhaps the first thing to make the listener aware of is that Lynne makes no attempt to sound like her subject. She is a singer with her own phrasing, manner of articulation, and sense of rhythm. Therefore, her choice of material is one that best represents the singer's diversity. Four cuts that appear here come from the Dusty in Memphis period, as well as the title track to The Look of Love and some of her mid-'60s hits from Great Britain that were not originally released in America, like the single version of the Rascals' "How Can I Be Sure." But all of these tracks, with the exception of the self-penned "Pretend," were graced by the voice of Springfield. This was a daunting task. And one Lynne took seriously. Recorded in the Capitol Records Studio with Frank Sinatra's legendary microphone as well as the equally legendary producer Phil Ramone, Lynne knew what to leave out as well as what to include. While most singers will automatically shoot for "Son of a Preacher Man," Lynne steers clear, knowing it's one of those tunes that should never be covered again. She does, however, tackle "Just a Little Lovin'," "Breakfast in Bed," "Willie and Laura Mae Jones," and "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore," from the Dusty in Memphis set.... Read More...