Search - Jon Shain :: No Tag, No Tail Light

Quality production

David Walker | Atlanta, GA United States | 01/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Funny you should mention the perceived similarity with Steve Forbert, as I just saw him open for SF in Atlanta. I really like this album (which I bought at the show). Every song scores. Some of the adjectives which come to mind when I listen to it are fun, evocative, and finesse (OK, well thats a noun isn't it....maybe finesseful?). The guy really seems to enjoy playing, adding in little hooks and so on at a live show, complete with just-for-fun facial contortions when singing certain lines. Another thing I really like about this CD is the crisp production. The sound quality is great and really highlights his style of playing. All the plucks, picks and thumps come out of the speakers with a high degree of fidelity. This is good walking around the house on the weekend music or intermediate distance road trips. Definitely more than background, but not abrasive either. Just well-written tunes, skillfully executed and produced."

The Grandest Charade

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 01/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The magazine "Dirty Linen" did a recent feature article on Jon Shain, which made me seek out his most recent CD. Dave Mattacks of Fairport Convention who lends crisp production values to Shain's sunny folk disposition as well as percussion & drums produced this set. Vocally, Shain's hushed, somewhat breathy delivery most often brings to mind Steve Forbert. "Worried Messenger" is a bright tune with FJ Ventre's throbbing bass line, "If I take it to the street, are they gonna take it straight to me?" "Getaway Car" has a bouncy guitar part with Shain's rolling melody, "Out of the daylight, out of control, just like Pancho Villa fresh out on parole." "Philly Girl" is a sweet folk boogie. Shain's slide guitar rattles & rolls on "Get What You Deserve." My favorite track is the boogie woogie "Ka-Ching Ka-Ching" about a money hungry girlfriend where Dave Mattacks goes crazy with cash register percussion, "There's dollar signs in my baby's eyes; she's burnin' through my money with her stories, games & lies." Shain resurrects with an old-timey reverence "Only the Blues," a 1928 track by the Hokum Brothers. "Whistle Blower" is a dark tune with bass & acoustic guitar and a vocal falsetto. The CD concludes with a Forbert-like vocal, "Now the shadows rise & surround you; time is the grandest charade." Shain is a developing artist whose new CD represents a great stride. While his melodies are not startlingly original, he's obviously having a lot of fun & has the ability to let us in on it. Explore & enjoy!"