18 track compilation from her 3 early Epic albums plus non-album singles. Includes 8 tracks that do not appear on the similar US collection 'Epic Recordings' as well as having 2 additional tracks. The non-US tracks are,... more » 'Things Are Tough All Over', 'Little Bits & Pieces', 'If I Could Bottle This Up', 'Under Your Spell Again', 'Till A Better Memory Comes Along', 'Alive & Well', 'I'll Lie Myself To Sleep' & 'The Very First Lasting Love'. Now available at a much lower price. 2000 release.« less
18 track compilation from her 3 early Epic albums plus non-album singles. Includes 8 tracks that do not appear on the similar US collection 'Epic Recordings' as well as having 2 additional tracks. The non-US tracks are, 'Things Are Tough All Over', 'Little Bits & Pieces', 'If I Could Bottle This Up', 'Under Your Spell Again', 'Till A Better Memory Comes Along', 'Alive & Well', 'I'll Lie Myself To Sleep' & 'The Very First Lasting Love'. Now available at a much lower price. 2000 release.
CD Reviews
Don't shun this Shelby retrospective!!!
Nicholas Jones | Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom | 04/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Last year's 'I Am Shelby Lynne' got lots of attention as she twisted and turned once more to establish a winning commercial identity that she, too, was happy with. But maybe she was too chameleon-like on that album. This compilation from her time with Epic in the late 80s/early 90s illustrates what she was unhappy with in Nashville: the accompaniment and arrangements rarely move beyond cliched expectation. BUT the blandness of those serve as a foil for her amazingly expressive voice. The material is excellent, too, which suggests she must have had a big hand in the choice of repertoire. But I come back to the quality of voice - Shelby's most natural voice, I suspect. For me, she's not singing at her best on 'I Am Shelby Lynne' but, ironically, she is here."
A must have!
johntaylor | lynn, ma. USA | 10/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"culled from the "epic years" this is an absolute gem of material and vocal technique. if you have any of her earlier recording(s) (i had "tough all over") and enjoyed them/it, you will be enthralled by this release. a five star collection!"
I'm not a fan of "Country".............
Robert C. Hufford | Hopewell, VA USA | 11/05/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...but for Shelby [and her sister], I make exceptions. Shelby is fabulous...she has evolved from country to rock, to jazz/blues, to just plain tough to classify. Why she and Allison aren't the best known singers on Earth is beyond me. But this is where she began, and the now-fulfilled promise is self evident.
This is a one hour selection from her earliest recordings...the gorgeous voice was a finished product, but the artistry was a work in progress. Some covers; some original; all great. OK, I have a crush on her...allow for it. I'll mention only two examples...the Johnny Cash standard "Walk the Line" is pure country, but Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" is done in a hauntingly beautiful manner that more than foreshadows Shelby's current greatness. If these begining works don't all have the developed polish of "Temptation" and "Identity Crisis", they are still miles ahead of what generally passes for country "music" [?]. It's always good to hear where a legend started...that, alone, is reason to grab this."
She Made Me Start Listening To Country Music!
Rosie Vania | Border Of Moscow | 04/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Shelby Lynne was the reason I started listening to country music: She is fabulous and reaches deep down into her soul when she sings and reaches out for yours when you listen to her. Try listening to these two songs: A Heart To Come Home To & Til A Better Memory Comes Along."
This is Shelby Lynne- The Best of the Epic Years
G. Christy | Russellville, Ark. | 08/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I would rate this CD very high. Her cover on "Little Bits and Pieces" is absolutely tops. I have this song by Wayne Newton also and Shelby can sing circles around him on this song. On "If I Could Bottle This Up" her duet with the Great George Jones is simply superb.The other duet she does with Les Taylor "The Very First Lasting Love" is great too. But I can't leave out one of my favorites on the CD and that's "Don't Get Around Much Any More". I simply do not understand anyone who did not like this whole CD. I love her voice and think that the music industry is loco for not recognizing what a great talent she is."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1