Search - Shawn Lane :: Powers of Ten Live

Unforgettable music

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 10/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I listen to this album, practically every day, I feel a strange mixture of emotions. First of all I feel happy I'm alive because the music here is really uplifting, joyful music; I feel happy I have ears because the music here is perfect, wonderful, amazing, exceptionally beautiful music that I am grateful I have the opportunity to hear; I feel happy I'm musically schooled so I can fully appreciate and comprehend the absolutly perfection of the music played here; I feel proud I'm human, because the music here is really fantastic and tells a lot about what human being is able to achieve in terms of beauty and value. And in the same time I feel extremely sad because we have lost the opportunity to listen more perfect music from Shawn, because he's gone. At the same time the music he left behind him is complete, perfect music in itself. There's nothing of his personal musical universe that Shawn has left unsaid or unplayed in a sense. In few albums he declared completly his immense musical mind and left something, a musical legacy that will never be forgotten. This album, due to its "live" character, is probably the best way to deeply feel and enjoy Shawn's immense talent and musical imagination. This is unforgettable universal music."

The Powers of Lane

Terry Mansietto | Odessa, TX | 06/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The original Power of Ten album is out of print, as I understand. Unfortunate because this brilliant musician played not only guitar, but every other instrument as well. On this live album Lane's band was assembled to promote the original album, and bassist Barry Bays and drummer Sean Rickman do a great job.Shawn only lived to the age of 40 (1963-2003) but accomplished a lot in his short life. He was just a kid when he played with Black Oak Arkansas but was nothing short of legendary down south (he hails from Memphis) even before he released any albums, due to bootlegs and demos floating around. He's done solo albums and played with everybody from Ringo Starr to Joe Walsh to Waylon Jennings, but it seems he was content to do his own thing rather than become another shred clone (and yes, the dude could shred).I was not too crazy about some of his later Indian influences though his musical excellence could not be denied. He did a lot of great stuff with Swedish bassist Jonas Hellborg (check out some of their albums as well).How to describe Shawn Lane to those who've never heard him? First and foremost, a brilliant guitarist and more. He was a guy who thought for himself and never let himself be categorized. Therefore I cautiously use terms like jazz, fusion, and prog rock. This album is a great place to start if you want to discover a guitarist who deserves to be a household name like Clapton or Hendrix, but probably never will be.This whole album is great, but my favorites are "Hard Case" and "Get You Back". Listen to the variety of styles Shawn Lane displays here and you'll be hooked on this musician the world lost way too early. The only reason I didn't give this CD 5 stars is because the recording, though good, is less than Shawn's music deserves."

Almost unbelievable - but get the domestic CD

Jeff Arenson | 09/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not sure why Amazon only lists the import (which, as far as I can tell is identical to the U.S. version). What a wonderful disc this is! Of course the muscianship is next to unbelievable but what separates Shawn Lane from say, Steve Vai or Joe Satriani is that he's really well rounded (no pun intended). He can play keyboards and drums and he can write really beautiful, joyous tunes--not just pentatonic shred/blues-rock that impresses for an instant & then is forgotten.Shredders won't be disappointed however as Shawn Lane actually plays faster than Paul Gilbert or John Petrucci. In fact his speed would be almost a self-parody if the songs weren't so interesting and cool. He's not in a league with Allan Holdsworth (who is) but if you like Eric Johnson and you know who Michael Schenker is and you want to hear melodies, not just riffs, this is for you."