Come On Shy Guy by Delores Wilson: A Soulful Nudge to Your Heart
Man, this album hits. From the first note of “Come On Shy Guy,” I was hooked. It’s like Delores Wilson reached through my speakers and shook something loose inside me—a mix of nostalgia, sass, and that raw funk energy you don’t hear much these days. Produced under Renee Records with Milt Bland pulling double duty as arranger and conductor, it’s got a vibe that feels both timeless and fresh.
Let’s talk about “Come On Shy Guy” for a sec. That track is straight fire. The bassline? Oh, it slaps—like, hard enough to make your chest rattle. And Delores’ voice? Girl’s got power. She doesn’t just sing; she commands attention, coaxing out every ounce of emotion in those lyrics. There’s something so real about how she delivers that call-and-response bit—it’s playful but also kinda daring, like she knows exactly what buttons to push. You can almost picture her leaning into the mic, smirking while she belts out those lines. Honestly, it makes you wanna grab someone by the hand and say, “Hey, let’s dance—or at least try.”
Then there’s “My Dream.” This one sneaks up on you. At first, it feels softer, more introspective, but give it a minute. By the time the horns kick in, you’re floating. Like, whoa, where did THAT come from? Delores pours her soul into this one, singing about longing and hope in a way that feels personal, like she’s letting us peek into her diary. It’s not flashy or overdone—it’s honest, which hits harder than any big production trick ever could.
What sticks with me most isn’t just the music itself (though, trust me, it’s golden). It’s the feeling you get when listening. These songs remind you of late-night drives, summer heat, and all those little moments that feel bigger than they are because of the emotions tied to them. Milt Bland’s arrangements keep things tight without overshadowing Delores’ voice, which is clearly the star here.
And yeah, sure, maybe the whole thing has a retro charm since it came out back in the day, but honestly? It doesn’t feel old. Not even close. If anything, it proves how some sounds never really go out of style. Funk, soul, rhythm & blues—they’re not genres; they’re feelings. And Delores nails ‘em.
Here’s the kicker though—I listened to this album during a random Tuesday afternoon slump, expecting nothing more than background noise. Instead, it turned my whole week around. Funny how music can do that, right? So if you’re looking for something to lift your spirits or just need an excuse to move your body, Come On Shy Guy might be exactly what you didn’t know you needed. Just don’t blame me if you end up dancing in your kitchen.
