Shelby Lynne Just a Little Lovin’ – 45RPM Vinyl Review
Shelby Lynne Just a Little Lovin’ – 45RPM Vinyl Review
Vinyl surface noise: 5+ (not pops and clicks)
Dynamic Range: 5
Stereo Imaging: 5+
Image depth/perspective: 5
Overall frequency response: 5+
Side One
- Just a Little Lovin’
- Anyone Who Had A Heart
Side Two
- You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
- I Only Want To Be With You
- The Look Of Love
Side Three
- Breakfast In Bed
- Willie And Laura Mae Jones
Side Four
- I Don’t Want To Hear It Any More
- Pretend
- How Can I Be Sure
Originally released on the Lost Highway Label in 2008.
The vinyl mastering was carried out by the late Doug Sax and Robert Hadley at The Mastering Lab and pressed on 200gram virgin vinyl by Quality Record Pressings.
This is my premier review using my new Hana SL cartridge and new MX-VYNL pre-amp.
Musicians:
- Shelby Lynne – Vocals
- Drums – Gregg Field
- Electric Bass & Double Bass – Kevin Axt
- Guitar – Dean Parks
- Keyboards – Rob Mathes
After reading the reviews of a number of new and re-released vinyl albums and checking out a few myself, I have been very disappointed with what I read and heard. This female jazz album fully restored my confidence in what todays vinyl can provide the audiophile with….. EVERYTHING, in bucketfuls! An album just doesn’t get to sound much better than this one.
Both 200gram discs are ruler flat, perfectly concentric and looked to be pristine pressings, all shine. In my eagerness to hear this album I forwent cleaning them with my Nitty Gritty prior to their first play. As soon as the stylus hit the vinyl I just new this was going to be a memorable experience. The vinyl was dead silent, and I mean CD silent on all four sides. I have never heard any vinyl so quiet and devoid of any discernible surface noise. Nor where there ANY pops or clicks on any of the four sides.
Having only two or three tracks on each side there seemed to be no restrictions to the dynamic range on Shelby Lynne’s voice, that provided an almost palpable presence, sitting there right at the front center stage of the mix. It was very detailed, exhibited no mid-range hardness, and any sibilance was beautifully controlled by the Hana. Her vocals were effortless, warm, dynamic and well; real. She might as well have been there in my room. This open, dynamic and powerful performance extend to all of the instruments from kit and wood blocks to guitar and piano, providing a very open sound with a stunning clarity and a tremendous feeling of space around all the instruments. The electric bass lines were tight and very extended, rolling right through you with the double bass providing a tight and very natural sound and feel. Both being well integrated with a deep and powerful kick drum that had plenty of slam and punch. The snare, brushwork, cymbals and hi-hat providing terrific detail and sparkle. Openness, ambience and reverb abounds at all times with the recording providing excellent stereo imaging and good depth placement.
Musicianship and vocal performance were first rate providing a tight, enjoyable, entertaining and almost personnel, musical performance. Most tracks have instrumental solos for the piano, guitar, electric and double bass and all were excellent. The wood blocks on S1T1 providing amazing presence and intimate detail, with solid acoustic bass performances on S4T1 and T2 and a beautiful vocal/guitar duet on S4T3.
Recommended tracks? Well not really. They are all outstanding examples of exceptionally well recorded, mastered and pressed tracks, having several musical breaks and solos that allow each musician to display their musicianship and instrumental sound. Not to mention Shelby’s amazing voice, which of course is what this album is all about.
Just one word describes this album : REFERENCE!
If you like Jazz and female vocalists this is an album you should absolutely have in your collection.
I cannot imagine hearing a recording that is this good very often. It is truly reference. Having touted Harry James Lab 3 and being one of the very best D2D Big Band recordings that I have ever heard. This album is right up there with Lab 3 and its not D2D. Improving on Lab 3 with its stunning vinyl silence.
Every audiophile, even if your not a female jazz fan, should own this album, as like me, you soon will be.
I cannot recommend this album enough, go and buy it.
I have to say that in part I am sure that some of what I heard is a result of my recent upgrade to the Hana SL MC phono cartridge and Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL pre-amp. The MX-VYNL provides a very low noise floor while the Hana has the ability to put ‘space’ around all instruments, opening up the soundstage no matter how complex or simple the lineup and no matter what level the recording. This was never more apparent than when I listened to Harry James Lab 3 using the Hana SL.
Available on vinyl and CD from Discogs, Elusive Disc, Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds.
