How did I miss this guy?

[cynical1]

Back in 1991 I picked up one of my favorite albums, Centrifugal Funk. It was the second of only two releases from MVP (The Mark Varney Project) of which this one was full of covers of jazz standards. The only reason I picked it up was because it had two Miles Davis covers, plus Jimmy Earl and Frank Gambale were on it. So was Shawn Lane…but at the time I had no idea who he was. He’s all over the album, and I should have taken a closer look then.

I read an interview where he stated he never liked his performance on that album. He felt too much of the emphasis from the producer was on shredding and not on the content of the pieces. Anyway, here’s a cover of So What off the album.




So, while looking for video tips on right hand technique I stumbled across this video…



I got a cramp just watching that one… The man is a study in economy of movement.

So, I wondered, Shawn Lane…hmmm…what’s the deal with this guy? I started looking for a few of his videos and songs. The guy’s not just another shredder…here's a few examples:







Seems he was a bit of a prodigy as well. He began playing professionally at around age 15 or 16 with what was left of Black Oak Arkansas…yeah, I know, but getting paid to play is still is getting paid to play. He retired from the road with BOA at 18 to pursue his own music, and to learn as much as he could about music and composition.

He has a respectable catalog of work out there:

Solo

West Side Boogie
Powers of Ten
The Tri-Tone Fascination
Powers of Ten; Live!

With Jonas Hellborg

Abstract Logic
Temporal Analogues of Paradise
Time Is the Enemy
Zenhouse
Good People in Times of Evil
Personae
Icon: A Transcontinental Gathering

With Michael Shrieve

Two Doors

With Jens Johansson

Fissions

…as well as numerous other sessions, one offs, live performances and tours that would make for a very long posting…

Like the 1993 NAMM Show. On stage is Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Reb Beach, Alex Skolnick. The sound quality leaves a bit to be desired, the video wanders a bit, but around 5:24 Shawn Lane takes his first solo. Watch the faces of the other guys on stage…



And he was an accomplished keyboard player as well. He played piano at Paul Gilbert’s wedding. I could go on with examples of Shawn Lane’s songs and playing, but you can take yourself to YouTube and spend days going through hundreds of shows, lessons and clinics that are posted there.

Sadly, Shawn Lane suffered from psoriasis, which also included the complication of psoriatic arthritis from his early teens. Part of the treatment for this condition are steroids, which contributed to his weight gain towards the end of his life. On September 26, 2003, Shawn passed away in a hospital in his home town, Memphis.

I'll leave you with a song he wrote after the death of his sister.



Just thought I’d share.

Happy Trails

Cynical One

[roadtonever]

Shawn Lane is great I especially adore his recordings with Jonas Hellborg.
EDIT: BTW thanks for making me listen to some of Shawns earlier stuff today.

[Yew]

There are definitely too many notes there.....

[roadtonever]

EMPEROR: My dear fellow, there are in fact only so many notes the ear can hear in the course of an evening. I think I'm right in saying that, aren't I, Court Composer?

SALIERI: Yes! yes! er, on the whole, yes, Majesty.

MOZART: But this is absurd!

EMPEROR: My dear, young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Cut a few and it will be perfect.

MOZART: Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?


Let's bring on the notes!

[cynical1]

RTN -

Man, that's an interesting combination you found there. Holdsworth and Gambale have done a few things together, but I never felt their styles complimented each other very much.

While Gambale is one of my favorite fusion players, he's more of a shredder, IMHO... Holdsworth, on the other hand, is an institution.

I run the risk of hijacking my own thread here, so I'll quit...but good find.

HTC1

[jcgss77]

ARGH!!!

Now I see the pinnacle of guitar playing, and now shake my head of myself at the thought of how good I will never be. I have come to terms that I am by no means an awesome guitarist, but the truly awesome always seem to pop up in time to humble me.

I had never heard of Shawn Lane before, and feel much more enlightened to be able to see his work. And work it is. I may be wrong, but I contribute my lack of knowing about him to a humility he himself had? If so, I commend Shawn Lane for not letting his abilities get to his head. Thank you for posting this, C1!