Various Artists: Shawn Lane
Remembered Vol. 1
Lion Records has
been delivering fine tribute
records for the last few years
but 2004 has brought forth a
number of especially promising
outings, including this
collection dedicated to the
memory of the late Shawn Lane.
Rather than merely cover Lane
songs, the 15 artists here focus
on providing originals that
capture or speak to Lane’s
spirit. In some ways, that seems
more reasonable for a tribute––no
performer has to go toe-to-toe
with the master and no listener
has to suffer through a
butchering of his favorite
classic.
Best stuff? Alex Masi’s “The
Wind Cries Shawn” displays
Masi’s ability to deliver fluid
lines and also makes you wonder
why, after all these years, the
man hasn’t received wider
acclaim for his licks. Rusty
Cooley’s “Epilogue For Liza” and
Tony Smotherman’s “Moonlane
Sonata (Intro)” make for fine
introductions to both players,
while Joop Wolters blows nearly
everyone out of the water with
“Changing Lanes.” (While I’ve
never been a huge fan of Wolters’
work that track did it for me
completely.)
But those are a handful of the
best tracks here. Others, from
the likes of Patrik Carlsson,
Stephan Forte, Craig Erickson
and Dave Martone rock beyond
compare. Definitely worth
tracking down. Definitely worth
cherishing.
Track Listing:
1. And The Wind Cries Shawn––Alex
Masi (3: 59
2. T-Zone Rhythm––Patrik
Carlsson (4: 42)
3. Shamans––Stephan Forte (4:30)
4. Mr. Musique––Craig Erickson
(7:44)
5. Mike Crow’s Mailbox of Doom
(6:10)
6. Gray Pianos Flying––Charly
Sahona (3:10)
7. Always Remembered––George
Bellas (3:35)
8. No Tempo De Laranja Doce––Goncalo
Pereira (4:01)
9. Epilogue For Liza––Rusty
Cooley (2:44)
10. Delusion––Marcel Coenen
(5:26)
11. Moonlane Sonata (Intro)
(5:43)
12. Colors Of Tomorrow––Francesco
Fareri (4:52)
13. Changing Lanes––Joop Wolters
(3:12)
14. Five Lanes––Lars Eric
Mattson (3:26)
15. The Life Of A Miracle––Mistheria
(3:15)
Total Time:
60:10
Added:
June 27th 2004
Reviewer:
Jedd Beaudoin
Score:
www.seaoftranquility.org |
SHAWN LANE REMEMBERED VOL 1 - LION MUSIC
"Remembered" is a fitting tribute to one of the world's most underrated
and inspirational guitar treasures. Sadly Shawn passed away last year
leaving behind him work that continues to inspire artists, his work
should never be forgotten and his "Powers Of Ten" album is something I
will always hold in high regards, especially the sad but beautiful track
called 'Epilogue (For Lisa') which is reproduced here by Rusty Cooley.
Other artists paying tribute to Shawn include Alex Masi, Dave Martone,
George Bellas, Lars Eric Mattsson, Joop Wolters amongst others and as
tribute albums goes this works quite well with tracks covered or
inspired by Shawn's music such as the George Bellas track 'Always
Remembered', a stunning display of neo-classical virtuosity that is
played with tons of feeling in respect to Lane. " I wrote an
original composition titled "Always Remembered"" says Bellas "It is an
extremely melodic and rich in it's harmonic contents with a smoky jazzy
ballad vibe. I wrote it specifically with Shawn in mind.
Another track written in memory to Lane is Francesco Fareri's - Colours
Of Tomorrow' a cool jazzy piece, with catchy guitars, the feeling of
this track is lush, Fareri captures something that Lane may well have
performed and this is a glorious fitting track, "I've recorded the song
called 'Colors of Tomorrow' with Alex Giuliani on drums and
Daniele Amatori on bass and it was a great moment and experience
to work for the Shawn Lane Tribute" says Francesco about the track. Italian
keyboard virtuoso Mistheria also pays his respects with his special
track called 'The Life Of A Miracle' "It's just me", the man says "I
composed, arranged, recorded and mixed whole song. that's all! Sometime
I like do something alone, I get more inspiration and feeling.", indeed
this track is classical based filled with beautiful playing, a very sad
piece but very inspiring and fitting for the tribute that almost bought
my friend Angela to tears when she heard it, beautiful captivating track
which really sums up how beautiful, melodic and inspiring Shawn's music
is. Also inspiring is Alex Masi's track which he wrote especially for
the tribute and is called 'And The Wind Cries Shawn', "I didn't think I
could match or even less surpass his delivery" says Masi "so why bother?...instead
for the first volume I decided to record a sort of "lament" to
Shawn...it's a very "Jeff Beck oriented" guitar/keyboard slow thing
called "...and the wind cries shawn" to paraphrase Hendrix (whom Shawn
loved)".
Over the years Shawn released numerous projects with Joans Hellborgh
which I always admired, but surprisingly many AOR fans may not realise
that Shawn played on Jimi Jamison's solo album "When Love Comes Down" as
well as playing on albums with Jen Johnasson, Michael Shreive etc, and
thus you can hear many AOR/melodic textures in tracks like 'No Temo Da
Laranja Doce' restructured here by guitarists Goncalo Pereira, as is the
jazzy and melodic 'Five Lanes', another track written especially for
tribute and performed with amazing flare Lars Eric Mattsson.
"Remembered" is a brilliant tribute to Lane, may his music move and
inspire you for years to come.
85/100
Nicky Baldrian
Various Artists - Shawn Lane Remembered Vol. I Lion Music
In early September 2003, acclaimed guitarist, Shawn Lane developed
severe
breathing problems and had to undergo various medical tests while
preparing
for a new album with Swedish bassist Jonas Hellborg and Ginger Baker. He
was
expected to have to remain on medical oxygen for the remainder of his
life,
but passed away on Friday September 26, 2003. He was 40 years old.
Now, Lion Music have put together Volume 1 of a tribute album. In 1978,
a
15-year old guitar prodigy named Shawn Lane was hired by famed Southern
boogie meisters Black Oak Arkansas. After the demise of Boa and
subsequent
project, The Streets, Shawn came back to public notice, as many others
did,
via a Mike Varney / Shrapnel compilation album, 1985s' 'U.S. Metal IV'.
He
subsequently released solo material as well as with bands like Powers Of
Ten
and musicians like the Swedish bass player Jonas Hellborg and drummer
Jeff
Sipe, numerous solo sessions including my favourite, Michael Shrieve's
Two
Doors album.
When this project was mooted, so many people came forward, wanting to
pay
tribute that it necessitated a two record release. In an
interesting twist,
the musicians have written new material inspired by Shawn, rather than
simply repeating his own music. Amongst the highlights are Alex
Masi's "The
Wind Cries Shawn", Tony Smotherman's "Moonlane Sonata (Intro)" and, best
of
all, Joop Wolters "Changing Lanes", which has me heading off to track
down
his solo album.
Obviously, the enjoyment you take from this will depend on your passion
for
instrumental, fusion and flash guitars. If you do, then you'll
find this
not only a worthy tribute to Shawn, but a fascinating stand alone album.
Track Listing:
1. And The Wind Cries Shawn--Alex Masi (3: 59
2. T-Zone Rhythm--Patrik Carlsson (4: 42)
3. Shamans--Stephan Forte (4:30)
4. Mr. Musique--Craig Erickson (7:44)
5. Mike Crow's Mailbox of Doom (6:10)
6. Gray Pianos Flying--Charly Sahona (3:10)
7. Always Remembered--George Bellas (3:35)
8. No Tempo De Laranja Doce--Goncalo Pereira (4:01)
9. Epilogue For Liza--Rusty Cooley (2:44)
10. Delusion--Marcel Coenen (5:26)
11. Moonlane Sonata (Intro) (5:43)
12. Colors Of Tomorrow--Francesco Fareri (4:52)
13. Changing Lanes--Joop Wolters (3:12)
14. Five Lanes--Lars Eric Mattson (3:26)
15. The Life Of A Miracle--Mistheria (3:15)
http://www.shawnlane.com
***The home of classic, metal, AOR, folk & progressive rock -
http://www.getreadytorock.com
Stuart Hamilton
VARIOUS - SHAWN LANE REMEMBERED - VOL. I
(C+) Lion Music, 2004
15 tracks, RT: 66:36
[ http://www.shawnlane.com/ ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/ ]
In the interest of full disclosure I should probably say I'm not the
greatest fan of "tribute" discs -- I think there are just far too many
of them and most of the time they are a rather hit-and-miss affair.
Having said that, you know where I'm coming from when I review them.
This disc is the first of a two-part tribute to the late guitarist and
consists of 15 tracks featuring some well known shred style players
along with some newcomers paying respects to the master. Don't get me
wrong, there is some great playing to be found here and like the Jimi
Hendrix tribute, the contributions are sincere and well intentioned. I
think I would have preferred more cover versions of Lane's songs
rather than some of the compositions that were used, as some of it
sounds more like Greg Howe and Joey Tafolla than what Shawn was doing.
Still, you have some real gems to investigate -- one of my favorites
being Charly Sahona's version of "Gray Pianos Flying," a real scorcher
that makes me want to check out more of this guy's playing.
Interesting enough, Alex Masi and Rusty Cooley opt for quieter, more
sensitive reflections on Shawn's genius, with Masi opening the CD with
the atmospheric "...And The Wind Cries Shawn" and Rusty covering the
beautiful "Epilogue For Liza." Another excellent piece is Joop
Wolters' "Changing Lanes" -- nice fusion. I don't know how many
average music lovers will be interested in this type of thing, I would
venture to guess the appeal will largely be towards shred guitarists
looking for some inspiration; I would recommend this to them and to
Shawn Lane completists but to me a better tribute would be to buy
Shawn's albums and fully appreciate what he gave to the world of
music... - Neal Woodall (MysticX10@msn.com)
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