Mario Tarradell

Shelby Lynne emerged from a backstage curtain, took a few steps, grabbed the microphone and sang the first words of Dusty Springfield's "Just a Little Lovin'," the title cut from her superb tribute to the late pop singer.

REX C. CURRY/Special Contributor

Singer Shelby Lynne brought passion and style to her own songs and those of Dusty Springfield.

In Ms. Lynne's hands, the song was sultry, passionate without ever resorting to histrionics. Ditto for "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," with its potent a cappella intro.

The Alabama-raised singer-songwriter surely could have belted her way through the concert set Thursday night at the Granada Theater. Back when she was a contemporary country ingénue, we're talking late '80s into early '90s, Ms. Lynne was encouraged to showcase all the lung power in her sterling voice.

No need to these days. Ever since taking complete creative control of her career with 2000's Grammy-winning I Am Shelby Lynne, she's been all about emoting and honoring the song.

Her Dusty paean is stripped down, living room-cozy and incredibly potent. We heard several more songs from the project during the first hour of her performance, all that deadlines allowed us to enjoy, including the moody "Willie and Laura Mae Jones," a swampy track about an interracial love affair.

The rest of the gig traveled through critically acclaimed efforts, from "Gotta Get Back," the grooving R&B cut off I Am Shelby Lynne, to "Johnny Met June," her touching homage to the Man in Black and his beloved spouse, which can be found on 2005's Suit Yourself.

Backed by a stellar four-man band, including a bassist who switched from electric to upright, Ms. Lynne proved her artistic point.

In a world of American Idol screamers and Mariah Carey copycats, she's the rare female singer who can hit the notes but chooses to live the lyrics instead.

ARCHIVES: Search for more stories on this and other topics | Search Tips

SUBSCRIBE: Get The Dallas Morning News delivered to your home