Shelley King's SLOW-BURNING, sensual soul and gospel CD Welcome Home with three members of the Subdudes appeals to the flesh as much as to the spirit. The sound comes as much from the 1950s as it does the pew, and it's a fun, sometimes moving listen. King, the 2008 Official State Musician of Texas, is more known for her roots blend of rocked-up folk, country, bluegrass, and more. The New Orleans-based Subdudes blend blues,gospel,funk, and R&B into their own brand of rock. Three of the band's members, Steve Amedee, Time Cook and John Magnie, joined King on this CD with their harmony vocals, playing, and co-production skills. Amedee contributes drums, other percussion, and guitar; Magnie keyboards, accordion, harmonica, and percussion; Cook bass and percussion. Other musicians are Perry Drake (drums and other percussion), Jay Clear (guitar) and Jeff Stephenson (guitar). The CD is a bit inconsistent, perhaps, in the sense that the best songs are so good and the "worst" songs are only "average"; when it shines, it shines bright. Highlights include the title song with its simmering question about living the best life you can, wondering, "will your chariot be waiting, will the saints give you a ride, will the pearly gates be open so you can walk inside?". On the old-style soul and gospel sounding "Summer Wine", she's ready to reconnect disconnected lives. On the more upbeat "I Remember", she and the percussion-backed choir remember the promises a man made while he remembers what he wants to remember. King wrote all three of those. Then there's the slow, torchy "I Can't Make It Easy", a so-write with Magnie that celebrates love through the tears. On her upbeat "Falling Fast", she's ripe and ready to be picked from the vine. -Tom Geddie

Shelley King Welcome Home (Lemonade Records) Framing Austin-based songwriter Shelley King’s powerhouse voice — alternately capable of soothing, growling and languidly coasting on command — with the jangly groove of New Orleans bar-band vets the Subdudes is an idea that sounds good on paper. On record, it’s the best Texas/ Louisiana collaboration since crawfish enchiladas. Perhaps emboldened by her 2008 run as official State Musician of Texas, King transcends the straightforward countryblues of her past albums with something as sonically rich and thematically solid as any album this year. The message is as buoyant as the music, for the most part; shades of sadness aren’t unrealistically omitted, but they are overwhelmed in the joyful pulse of songs nodding to the spiritual, the personal and the inevitable intermingling of both that makes albums like this such good company when optimism is deeply felt (or sorely needed).

Shelley King Welcome Home (Lemonade Records) Framing Austin-based songwriter Shelley King’s powerhouse voice — alternately capable of soothing, growling and languidly coasting on command — with the jangly groove of New Orleans bar-band vets the Subdudes is an idea that sounds good on paper. On record, it’s the best Texas/ Louisiana collaboration since crawfish enchiladas. Perhaps emboldened by her 2008 run as official State Musician of Texas, King transcends the straightforward countryblues of her past albums with something as sonically rich and thematically solid as any album this year. The message is as buoyant as the music, for the most part; shades of sadness aren’t unrealistically omitted, but they are overwhelmed in the joyful pulse of songs nodding to the spiritual, the personal and the inevitable intermingling of both that makes albums like this such good company when optimism is deeply felt (or sorely needed).

With touches of zydeco, blues, country, rock, soul and folk, Welcome Home, Shelley King’s latest record with members of the Subdudes (John Magnie, Tim Cook and Steve Amedée) is a spicy gumbo of roots style and sound for your ears. Growing from a few demos, the talented musicians eventually recorded enough material in John’s Colorado home studio to create a full-length album. There’s the country-tinged love songs like "Summer Wine" (the first single) and the boogie-woogie piano on "How You Make Me Feel," co-written with friend and fellow Sis Deville member, Floramay Holliday. A gentle R&B sound on "I Can't Make It Easy" and "It's Starting to Rain" exhibits another facet of Shelley’s voice and the various musical influences of New Orleans on the record. John Magnie’s accordion highlights "Everything's Alright," a song that Shelley wrote with NoLa musician Theresa Andersson as a reassurance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina while they were waiting to hear from friends and loved ones. Still, it’s the hymn-like, chill-inducing title track with its subtle harmonies and soulful vocals, complemented perfectly by the spiritual "Grain of Sand" that steals the spotlight. And an a cappella reprise of "Welcome Home" follows, ending the album with a scratchy, vinyl-like fade out

Shelley King, 2008 Official State Musician of Texas, presents us with a new offering, Welcome Home, that that not only highlights the flexibility of her vocal talent, but also underscores the craftsmanship that she and the Subdudes (John Magnie, Tim Cook and Steve Armedée) put into each and every song. One factor of craft that really standouts out in this recording is King’s minimalist approach to instrumentation. She doesn’t overpower a song with excessive instrumental support. In fact, the title song opens with a simple acoustic strum that supports the power of the vocals (which are absolutely awesome). The wailing undertones provided by the accordion and percussive support of the other instruments paints a picture of old time gospel that is quite engaging. Another minimalist song is King’s, “I Remember”. Basically using vocals, drums, and a touch of harmonica, King draws you into the energy of the song. The crispness of the recording allows the listener to feel every bit of the drum work. Each element balances the other perfectly. Where fuller instrumentation is provided, King ensures that a musical balance is maintained. This balances allows her to take us on a musical journey that includes gospel numbers (Welcome Home, Grain of Sand), south Texas zydeco influenced melodies (Everything’s All Right), bluesy numbers (I Can’t Make It Easy), country-influence (How You Make Me Feel, Falling Fast) and even a reprise of “Welcome Home” that emphasizes the old-timey nature of the song through a simulated early radio sound. Each number supports the next in the album, though they may be of completely different styles. “Summer Wine” is a song that has received international air play already. However, there are many songs on this album that should be getting radio time. A song like “Asking Too Much” exudes the Texas sound. A beautiful melody is supported with great vocals and accordion work; one finds themselves transported into a Texas frame of mind. “Grain of Sand” has a folksy gospel sound that draws you into the song with the deep bass vocal backup and the excellent organ work. King shows the flexibility of her talent in this album. Going beyond the fact that she was the first woman selected for the post of Official State Musician of Texas, in Welcome Home, King shows that she is a master song craftsman; perfect instrumentation for the mood of her songs, supported by a fantastic cast of musicians. This is definitely an album to pick on your holiday gift list!

Welcome Home (Lemonade Records) A new Shelley King album is always occasion to celebrate and guaranteed to spin at least a couple of songs into the stratosphere. Welcome Home isn't just a pleasant sounding homily; it's back-to-back killer tracks start to finish, with songsmith King's full-custom gospel voice matched with fellow co-producers and Subdudes John Magnie, Tim Cook, and Steve Amedée. Hers is such a divine rendering of compositional craft that the lengthy wait between albums is worth it. She's the player who can hit all the balls, from bluesy balladry ("It's Starting to Rain") and gospel ("Welcome Home") to zydeco ("Everything's All Right") and country swamp pop ("Asking Too Much") with righteous force and, here, spare instrumentation that only enhances the music. One of these days, some singer will make Shelley King a wealthy woman. Meanwhile, her sweet Texas honey soul is still ours to savor.

Her music is great! I only saw her once but that was enough to tell me how good she is.Great voice and she's a great gutairist

heck i'll write a review! that is one kickass c.d. ya'll. lowdown blues, country, cajun and rock and roll. shelly has one fine voice !

This woman is awesome. I've been an fan of hers for years. She lights up the crowd everytime she gets on stage. Her CD is perfect for when you're in the mood to listen to some pure Texas music.

I just recently was introduced to Shelly's music by my son and daughter-n-law, and I thought man, why I haven't I heard this girl before, what a great voice!! Hope to hear a whole lot more from her.