POWERS OF TEN LIVE!

3.5 stars. Shawn Lane was born in Memphis and began his musical adventure playing the piano as a youngster before taking up the guitar and owning it. He would eventually return to the keyboards and own them as well. Such a talented individual. At 14 years of age he was hired by BLACK OAK ARKANSAS to be their guitarist. This was a Southern Rock band who was quite popular, although by the time Shawn joined them in the late seventies that popularity was waning big time. Still, you can imagine how much that experience helped Lane in his career. He was part of a Blue Grass band and considering the absolute speed at which Shawn plays he would have been incredible in that role. Eventually Jazz/Fusion became his thing and he has released some really quality albums with Swedish bass player Jonas Hellborg that I prefer to Shawn's solo stuff.

Shawn's first record was called "Powers Of Ten" released in the early 90's and he did it all. He spent 2 years in his home studio creating that record playing everything but the fake drums sadly. He composed it all except for the one cover song. Eventually Lane wanted to re-record it with a band but Warner Brothers who owned the rights said no. So Shawn decided to play that album live as a way around the road block created by the label. It doesn't have every track from his debut plus he adds some other songs on this over 70 minute recording. One of the songs is shown as a bonus track, maybe it was an encore track.

I've heard his debut is a mixed bag and I feel this is too with this live release but man there are some real highs on here. Shawn is that guitarist that the best guitarists in the world would talk to each other about. He might have been the fastest. A five piece here with drums, bass, guitar, keys and sax. The intro is so rock and roll as the announcer just says "Alright gang, I think you know why your here" and then the crowd roars and the drums kick in and away we go.

It's so sad Lane passed at 40 years of age, two years after this was released. Favourite track might be "Drum & Guitar Solo" where we get some jaw dropping guitar. Same with "Hardcase" and others. "Tri-Heaven" is getting close to symphonic and one thing I don't like on this record is the synth- guitar but then who does? Insert smiley face. The drummer is incredible too by the way, in fact we get two songs that are drum solos besides that duo with Shawn I already mentioned.

It would be interesting to hear someone's opinions who has the studio album and this live record to hear what the differences are etc. Impressive but long and uneven in my opinion.

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