Disco de Lulu: “New Routes”

For years I'd been waiting for "New Routes" to come out on CD. Had it come out before "The Atco Sessions," I'd have gladly purchased it and been content. But please read the reviews of Lulu's creative output during this four year period of her career--you may want to spend the extra $$ on "The Atco Sessions." You'll get all of "New Routes," and you'll be investing in a real keeper.

Lulu's NEW ROUTES album is a bonafide classic. Hearing Lulu with her unbound soulful voice and energy backed up by the Southern musicians in Muscle Shoals, Alabama is female vocalist nirvana. I always thought this album deserved the respect that DUSTY IN MEMPHIS has received. It is a classic from the hit single OH ME OH MY [ I'M A FOOL FOR YOU BABY ], and other emotive ballads like the exquisite IS THAT YOU LOVE , the loneliness of WHERE'S EDDIE and AFTER ALL [ I LIVE MY LIFE ] to the rock / soul swagger that Lulu displays on stompin' versions of FEELIN' ALRIGHT, DIRTY OLD MAN and SWEEP AROUND YOUR OWN BACK DOOR This album illustrates how Lulu had a natural affinity for letting loose in the studio, and pouring her heart and soul into song.

The only disappointment is that Rhino waited just years and years to release NEW ROUTES on CD. With Rhino UK releasing this album, plus the 1970 follow-up album MELODY FAIR in a 2 CD set , with an extra Disc 2 of UNRELEASED and SINGLES ONLY TRACKS makes this reissue too late to the market. Rhino US should have released this 10 years ago when everyone was dying for it on CD. Always a classic, but spring for the 2 CD complete THE ATCO SESSIONS [ which again, the US Rhino label screwed up by NOT releasing it in the US ]. However, THE ATCO SESSIONS import 2 CD set is now out of print. But so is NEW ROUTES on CD as well. If you want Lulu on Atco, you have to buy it fast!