Shawn Lane	Website(s):	www.ShawnLane.net www.NoProblemHere.com www.Tarsun.net
	Genre(s):	Jazz Fusion, Progressive, Neoclassical
	Instrument(s):	Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano
	Trademark(s):	Virtuoso guitarist and pianist, progressive fusion compositions, unworldy speed and technicianry.
	Album(s):	Powers Of Ten The Tritone Fascination Powers Of Ten Live Time Is The Enemy
	Collaborations:
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On Friday, September 26, 2003, Shawn Lane passed away after having struggled with some deteriorating health problems. ChrisRuel.com extends its most grievous condolences to Shawn's family and friends. Shawn was a colossal giant in the world of instrumental music. His musical genius, virtuoso skills, and understated, humble character will be sorely missed. Shawn Lane left the music world with a legacy of incredible instrumental music and achieved levels of virtuosity in his skills that musicians will be striving to reach again for years to come.

Thank you Shawn for the good that you brought into the world with your relentless pursuit of excellence and artistic creativity. May you rest in peace with the comforting knowledge that your name is immortalized in the annals of music history along with many great musicians that preceded you, many of which you surpassed. Our sorrow in your loss can not be measured by words or gestures. The greatest sorrow we bear is knowing that your untimely passing has stolen unworldly music yet unwritten by you and will be denied from us forever.

Shawn Lane is back with The Tritone Fascination, setting out to continue his demonstration of guitar, keyboard, and compositional prowess that he established with Powers Of Ten. This effort, though similar to Powers Of Ten, differs a little in style, feel, and compositional content. There is more content that has a straight ahead instrumental rock feel with a sophisticated composition and soloing angle. There are also some compositions that are more theme-centric that do not seem to strive for overpowering guitar domination. The result of this is some very accessible music. Shawn Lane's playing is once again astounding, as you might expect. But, there is also a very tactful balance between his outrageous guitar work and the compositional frame that he packages it in. The harder, driving rock tracks with scorching guitar work are balanced by some very soulful, sentimental, melodic themes that Lane develops on other tracks.

The album starts out with two straight ahead rock pieces that Shawn Lane rips to shreds with his guitar playing. Lane's coverage of Jimi Hendrix's "Peace In Mississippi" is probably better than the original. The lead guitar work is definitely alive and full of speedy patterns that are Lane's signature. But, don't try to get an impression of the entire album from the first two or three tracks. The album is diverse in nature and takes a change of direction on the fourth track, "The Way It Has To Be" that is slightly reminiscent of "Get You Back" in feel and emotion from Powers of Ten. "Tri--7\5" is the album's centerpiece with some of Shawn's finest composition, instrumental work, and thematic development, all brilliantly integrated with some unusual time signatures and outside harmonization. Several sentimental compositions follow that are theme-centric, beginning with "The Hurt The Joy". These compositions feature some well-felt playing by Shawn that makes for some very enjoyable, accessible listening material. "One Note At A Time" is one of the highlights on the album for me with its soulful, upbeat melodies that erupt into some speedy guitar runs that somehow manage to keep the relaxed, tranquil feel that characterizes the rest of the composition. The final track, "Epilogue, Bach", is another exceptional piece of music off of this album, as Lane demonstrates his comprehensive grasp on classical music and particularly the stylisms of JSB.

The Tritone Fasciniation is characterized by diverse, sophisticated yet accessible compositions, virtuosic, stellar instrumentation, fastidious production, and solid, theme-centric musicality. This is definitely my kind of music. If you liked Powers Of Ten by Shawn Lane or if you like world class musicianship, you should check out The Tritone Fascination. I don't know if I would say it is as good as Powers Of Ten, but definitely of that caliber.

Shawn Lane: Powers Of Ten Live

2001, Eye Reckon, ER-002

I have waited a long time to get the music from the Powers Of Ten on CD because it is no longer in print. Sometimes when you buy a CD and first go to listen to it, there is an apprehension you have that the music will not meet your expectations. The live version of Powers Of Ten lives up to all expectations and will make you soon forget about any doubts you may have had prior to listening to it. Now that I have become so engrossed with Powers Of Ten Live, it is hard for me to remember that apprehension I once had when I first received this CD from Audiophile Imports.

Shawn Lane lays down some incredible lead work over the tasty collection of compositions contained on this live CD. The compositional depth and content are without a doubt world class. The guitar, piano, and drum work are all inspired and first rate. The feeling and style conveyed in this music transcends all of the incredibly complex mechanics that are involved.

Though the entire effort on this CD is superb, there are several tracks that just shine above the rest, in my mind, anyway. "Get You Back" is one of the best pieces of music I have ever heard. The depth and feeling in the melodies are simply art. There is no other way to put it. This single track embraces every quality that I look for when listening to music. The melodies are complex yet have that Mozart-like, simplistic appeal that makes them easily accessible. Yet the inherent complexity in the melodies makes one never tire of them. Musical genious. Shawn's immense depth of character shines forth in "Get You Back" as he struggles with the pain of love lost and resolves himself to relentlessly regain that lost love with every inch of his great soul. The balance in melody and harmony, and the instrumentation in "Get You Back" is absolutely awesome, not to mention the unbelievably fast guitar solos that balance the slower melody lines. You can listen to this track every day and never get tired of it. "Get You Back" to me is Shawn Lane's crowning achievement and definitive composition. Other incredibly great tracks include "Gray Pianos Flying", "Tri-Heaven", "Tri 7/5", "Rules Of The Game". Shawn uses outside melodies and unusual time signatures in these pieces and pulls it off seemlessly with ease, style, and grace. "Rules Of The Game" is an additional track that was not available on the original Powers Of Ten release. "Rules Of The Game" is an inspired, triumphant denoument that is suitable for the slow-motion, fairytale ending of any feel good movie, as well as the victory gallup of any Grand Prix. But really, this CD is so incredibly good from start to finish, it would be unfair to Shawn to single out tracks as I have done. These ones I have listed are my personal favorites.

This is a "must have" in the collection for any guitar enthusiast. Shawn Lane defies genre and his immense talent slathers this live effort. The music and leadwork are complex, but the complexity has a gravity that grows each time you listen to it. This is one that the most critical musicians will not grow tired of listening. On a scale of one to ten, Powers Of Ten Live gets a 10 ... to the 10th power in my book. This makes the permanent rotation and is top shelf right up there with Maker's Mark! This is music fit for gods. BUY IT!... NOW!!!

Copyright 2001 - 2003 Christopher Ruel. All Rights Reserved. www.ChrisRuel.com