Listening to Shelby Lynne's voice on this album, I can see why she was headed for more than one genre of music. These are country songs, but she sings them with soul, and her evolution to rhythm & blues in her lastest work seems inevitable. Her depth of conviction for what she's singing comes through, especially in the strength she puts into those low notes.

In the lighter songs, like "I'm Confessin'," one can hear the influence of Willie Nelson. The more soulful renditions, like "Dog Day Afternoon," remind me of Laura Nyro. In all, there is a nice sweep to this album, and each song seems to move naturally into the next. And it's Shelby's voice that makes it natural.

If you're new to Shelby Lynne, "Epic Recordings" is a great place to start. But it will probably be just a start.

Prior to the January 2000 release of her soul-ful "I Am Shelby Lynne", Lynne cut a few records that covered a lot of territory -- from country to torch ballads to swing. This CD features some of the best of those earlier records. This Alabama girl is finally starting to garner the press attention she has long deserved, and "Epic Recordings" is an excellent introduction to one of the music world's best kept secrets. She played a brief set in a Memphis club over the weekend, and she made believers of us all.

Most of Shelby Lynne's newer CDs are already on my shelf and get frequent play. Her voice is smooth and remarkably fluid, and style...don't buy one CD and expect to hear the same on another. This collection of early music, which which I was previously unaware, is a testament to the reason her career has been so successful and lasted so long. During her Epic years, Shelby Lynne sang mainly covers of familiar and not-so-familiar songs, but in every case she gives it her own unique stamp. I cannot comment on whether this collection contains her "best" from those years, since the earliest CD I'd heard before is "

" (on Curb Records), which contains five songs written by Shelby Lynne. Nonetheless, this is an excellent collection that highlights the singer's beautiful voice and style. This CD is highly recommended, along with the more-acoustic sounds of "

," a stripped-down, self-produced production that allows not only Shelby Lynne's voice to shine through, but also her excellent songwriting (she wrote ten of the songs).

As much as I love this artist's later, more personal music, anyone who likes Shelby Lynn should not pass up this very satisfying collection. I should think, too, that it would also serve as an excellent introduction for those who are still unfamiliar with this great talent.

While I haven't been able to make the transition to her other music voice, this collection is a favorite of mine. I think the reason is how smooth, lush, and fascinating her voice is on most of these cuts. Perhaps it's the collection of songs providing, so well,a show case for her singing and phrasing abilities; Don't Mind If I Do is a great old standard made new by her talent. Whatever the reason, I find this CD remarkably easy to listen to and complex enough to make me come back to it over again. Hope you enjoy it, too!

OK, first you grab two pieces of seven-grain bread, fling 'em into the toaster on medium. Then, with your Ginsu knife, thinly slice eight or nice squares of havarti, as well as a diced roma tomato. When the toast pops, butter it and lay down evenly the havarti and tomatoes, adding a shake or three of pepper to taste.

What? Oh, I though we were giving out our recipes for cheese sandwiches here. Must have been the music, I guess.

Yes, this is a cheesy album, not her superb last CD, I Am Shelby Lynne, by a long shot.