By the way, I knew Shawn personally -- and still talk to his mother Diane -- and he had Cushing's disease from treating his arthritis. How he played the way he did, all while in pain, was absolutely incredible.
Dilanka Thomas what's up man... I met Shawn and went to his house with the help of some of his students. Along with seeing and hearing his great playing he was great as a person too. But one surprising thing not too many have mentioned is that he also cooked Thai food like an indigenous chef... really great person in general.
Thank you so much for pointing out Shawn's melodic abilities. Too many people dismiss him outright because of his much-lauded speed, but they don't see the deeper elements of what he was trying to do. Thank you for articulating what I've thought/felt for so long!
Shawn wasn't just a genius musically, he had an absolute love if knowledge. He would go to the library and check out every book on butterflies, or physics, astronomy. He would read them all and quote from them at will. The title of this piece comes from his daughter. He asked her what music was to her. Her reply was Gray Pianos Flying. Such melody, such clarity in the speed. Tears of joy watching this. It just gets in your heart. Temporal Analogues of Paradise is just amazing. He's one of the reasons that I play fretless guitar. He did some brilliant work with Indian musicians, who were touched by his authentic knowledge of ragas and polyrhythms. Missing my hero.
Absolutely and glad you posted this. I don't think he attended college (probably a good thing!) but one of the most well-read and well-spoken people you'd ever meet. I was fortunate enough to take a few lessons from him at his home- I remember there were aquariums everywhere and he could tell you the genus and species of all the fish! Just a great and warm human being.
As a physician, I can’t believe he had such prowess with the amount of pain he had that he could force himself to play so much better than a normal person. I see his fingers and I know the diagnosis is correct and he is virtuoso with such perseverance that only a true lover of music and sheer will could produce Shawn’s magic in both his guitar and piano playing that he was given a gift from God to be that brilliant-a testimony to his live for his art. God has truly Blessed his hands, his will, and his endurance in the face of such handicaps.
It was more than his hands. Shawn's mind was savant-tier, and his nervous system was built differently. His hand muscles were not better or faster, but his brain was more connected and in time compared to anyone else.
afterthought.... one other amazing thing about Shawn's playing was his intonation. His notes were so in-tune when he played. He made a point to do that and even mentions it in one interview that that was one of his goals. IMPROVING that as of that interview. I'm going..... F me, if you improve upon that, you'll be telling AUTO-TUNE what's the correct pitch!
@@u.v.s.5583 You have no idea what you are talking about. Shawn was the greatest instrumentalist to ever walk the face of this earth. His knowledge of theory, his technical/physical ability, his passion, delivery, speed, vibrato, dynamics, and compositional skill are unparalleled to this day. ...but don't listen to me; see for yourself - Watch the YT video "Jonas Hellborg, Shawn Lane, Jeff Sipe - Atlanta, GA, 1996-08-19 (full concert)". If you still feel that he was simply "adequate" then you're simply a hater.@ @
@@jbwnova It is very hard to compare Shawn Lane as piano player to Cziffra or Hamelin or put any of top 100 piano performers ever. On guitar, yes, there have been but a handful of musicians worthy being mentioned in one sentence together with Shawn Lane. That's the difference. Don't make him a piano overlord. Yes, he was extremely good. He has no need of being overhyped.
I grew up in Memphis Tennessee and saw Shawn the first time when he was 13 or 14 with his band savage. He was already better than 90% of the big names. He died way to young.
There is simply no end to the amount of praise Shawn deserves (and earned) for his masterful playing and composition. The term "genius," is often overused and thrown around carelessly. Not here. Shawn was an absolute genius. Thank you for doing this video!
Another crazy brilliant player. His chops are almost TOO GOOD, in that's he's often so far above most other players in technique and raw talent and there's so many notes to digest. Alan Holdsworth could be like this at times. The modern equivalent would be Guthrie Govan, some times it's just too much, even for us guitarists! Of course that's just me, maybe most people don't hear or think this way.
He was a technical tyrannosaurus, he has an instructional video that’s shows off his freakishly fast technique. Paul Gilbert described him as “terrifying” God took him from us much to soon😞
To me, Lane really played with his heart, more than with his hands. He had the ability to play with such emotion, add subtle nuances, had such accuracy, all of that plus his insane technical abilities (floating right hand O.O) make him my favorite guitarist by far, and one of my favorite musicians.
-I'm from Memphis. Quiet Riot asked Shawn Lane to replace Randy Rhoads after he passed away in the eighties, and to go on tour with them. Shawn politely declined the offer, because he had a strong passion for music, and he wanted to study music. My friend, Sean O'Donnell, was his guitar practice-partner, and Shawn Lane once told him at one of their practices, that he had gone to the University of Memphis (at that time, Memphis State University) Music Library every day for 6 years, and read every book in the library, and that he had a photographic memory, and had memorized the University of Memphis' entire Music Library. So my friend, Sean, says, "No offense, Shawn, but you're gonna have to prove that to me, before I'll believe it". So Shawn Lane says, "Okay, I'll prove it to you." So Sean O'Donnell went to the University of Memphis Music Library and got excerpts from 40 different books, on paper copies, then took the copies to practice and asked Shawn Lane to recite the text from each book - he gave him the book title, page number, and paragraph number from each book - and Shawn Lane perfectly recited the text from all 40 books - Shawn Lane was a musical genius - he just never told anyone.
I've seen you around on RU-vid for years and was never really aware of the fact that you know your stuff enough to appreciate Shawn appropriately hehe. Thank you for this video. I wouldn't want to start any fights but the man was utterly and very obviously the most advanced electric guitarist that probably will ever live. He is well known as the scary monster that most guitarists try not to think about too much but he still deservers far more recognition.
Please check out Shawn’s album “power of 10” referring to his 10 fingers. He played every instrument on the album. So sad he died before he could enjoy the fame he deserved. Thank you for sharing this video
The way you described Shawn's playing was spot on. For those new to Shawn here: Shawn was always amazing, but the most mind blowing stuff from him, in my opinion, was his work with Hellborg and Sipe in the mid 90's, and even later with Hellborg and V. Selvaganesh! Check out the live bootlegs on YT! You'll get addicted!
I personally dislike his "dopehead"-style years at the end of his life, the example here is Shawn in his prime where he was an articulate young man, playing beautiful music. Later on he turned weird and introvert, sitting there smoking on stage.
@@Chris741113 well he wasn't in the best condition towards the end of his life either. I personally find his stuff from 96 to 98 to be his best performances before his health really started to tank. But as far as the music he was releasing, I still really enjoy it just for the fact that it was something he reeeeally hadn't done before. Aga of the Ladies is one of my favorite songs ever. I honestly think the stuff before HLS is a little too early 90's sounding, albeit it might be when himself was in better shape. But I don't find the music itself to be as interesting as the stuff he made with Hellborg and Sipe, personally.
One of my favourite guitar players!!!! Gifted beyond belief and just a sheer pleasure to listen to, so melodic!!!! One would have to try and imagine how much hard work and practice Shawn has invested into his brilliance!!!!! A true virtuoso!!!! Sadly missed but never forgotten !!! RIP Shawn !!!!! Cheers Fil a great video!!!!!!!!!!
Man I love Shawn Lane. A good friend of mine when we were in high school turned me on to guys like Shawn, Brett Garsed, Greg Howe, Frank Gambale, etc. Shawn Lane was just an unbelievable player. I owe my friend a lifetime of gratitude for opening my mind to true virtuoso musicians. The majority of the population including music lovers have no idea guys like this exist with so much talent. If they did they would turn off FM radio lol
Been to Shawn's house, met him at a local music store I worked in, saw him live several times, etc. A few "corrections", imo. Shawn's tone is more analogous to Eric Johnson mated to Alan Holdsworth (not in the physical sense! hehehe) Not at all close to Satriani or Vai, ref tone, imo. Shawn had an extremely NON-fuzzy tone. Very smooth and midrangy but with good sustain. Shawn was the fastest picker I've seen who actually played musically and not just doing fast picking on one string. Maybe Holdsworth had as much speed legato-wise but I don't think so. Also John McLaughlin.... another influence of Shawn's. but it's a combo of picking and hammers mostly. Not many pulloffs, if you watch most of his vids. Odd that he almost never did a true sweep apreggio or two hand tapping at all. I guess if he used TWO hands for tapping, the world probably would not be here right now. hahahha He did stuff that sounds like two hand tapping but it's all left hand. Shawn did NOT rest his hand on the strings. He had a floating tremelo and if you watch his instructional vids, you can see his arm is actually floating all the time. ONLY when he mutes would he put the palm against the bridge/strings. You can't pick like he did and rest your hand like you would on a tele or strat or paul. 6:27 CLEAR example of the arm/hand position. His FOREARM is resting on the body of the guitar, his wrist is moving and his bicep is turning which gives the hand movement of fast picking. His pick is up near the neck, ffs! So, no, he didn't rest his hand on the bridge ever unless he wanted to mute which he rarely did, as far as I know. 6:30 even there, it LOOKS like he is, but he's not. I've watched prob 98% of Shawn vids on YT and he is notorious for open strings ringing during his pick flurries. That's BECAUSE his technique is not about palm muting the open strings. His hand is always floating. That adds to his speed. Nothing between him and the notes except 1/32" of jazz pick and some air. Just trying to help. :) Nice vids!
@@wingsofpegasus I'm sure, but I'm just saying that as a rule, he didn't do that hardly ever. Just like two hand tapping. There's like ONE VIDEO of him doing that in all his live vids, afaik. So... he just kept his pick hand floating cuz less friction, more speed and no chance of making notes go sharp from accidental pressure on bridge. :) thank ye!!! Nice to see you reply to comments. I have a bad habit of replying to every single one. :( heheeh
Here is some trivia on Shawn that not many know. When he was 12 he played for Typhoid I met their sound guy one hot summer day in Frayser at Radio Shack and I gave him a ride home and he invited me in and we walked into 1 room full of speakers to the ceiling and he said listen to this the guitarist is 12yo and his name is Shawn Lane and then he said listen to this and it was a wild sounding lead and he then said from the 12th fret up was fretless. I have never heard of that before or since then. Man I loved that guy and I saw him many many weekends. Even Andy Tanas (BOA,Krokus and Savage) said when they played some festival he was 16 I think and EVH saw him noodling backstage and he turned toward Andy with a funny face as to say ''wow''
If you take away all the fast paced run and difficult technicalities, Shawn is still one of best guitarist of all time. Sound coming out of his fingers is such a joy to listen to.
It's funny because i can get super excited talking about all the big named guitarist out there and then i think about how Shawn plays.😵 My reaction is of disbelief and basically I become speechless. Yep, Shawn raised the bar on technical playing to a level that is virtually impossible to reach. His popularity should have been way way more than what is was. I bet even Hendrix would have been scared of his playing. 😉 👍
Hendrix wasn`t that good of a player to be honest. Most of the time it was just a drunken junky with a guitar barely able to play in tune. Sure, he revolutionized the way people played the guitar, but technically he was pretty mediocre...
@@JamoZNL omg you have to look up the vid of shawn.talking about Jimi where he`s saying that the way that Hendrix bend notes and such is also highly technical
"And Shawn would always preach about Jimi Hendrix’s soulfulness, because it was fashionable in the shred world to be down on Hendrix. Shawn would play ‘Red House’ so intensely, as an example of how technically difficult Jimi’s playing was.”
Yes, I do know that Hendrix had great frustration in putting out the quality that he demanded from himself many times during the height of his popularity. One time I believe he even walked off stage because he was pissed off regarding his playing, but I definitely agree with Shawn commenting on his soulful playing abilities. Both chaps have their place in guitarist history. Whatever planet Shawn came from, at least he made his mark here for us to appreciate it for years to come. 😁👍👍👍
Thanks very much for this video - I've listened to BOA since 1976 and it's not surprising two hugely talented musicians who were in that band - Tommy Aldridge and Shawn Lane - Shawn never got the acknowledgement he deserved - absolute brilliant!!
One thing I noted also is like other amazing players like Vai or Guthrie Govan he is incredibly creative with his phrasing: his melodies are superb not just because of the notes he is playing and the harmonic context but also the off-the-wall phrasing that makes it more than a regular on-the-beat-always melody but dances around the tempo yet it always come back to it just in time to accentuate giving it an even greater emphasis, just awesome.
I was the guitar manager at Strings and things back in the 80's and 90's and ordered the guitar for him he is playing in this video. His main guitar back then was actually made by Roland. I took this guitar home for the weekend before he came by and picked it up. Most people don't know but he was scary good on the piano too.
You have so many guitar videos, I feel at press time here, looking at this video with 412 plays is living proof that most guitarists have no clue about chops, taste and legacy. Shawn, Ray Gomez, Sylvain Luc are the unsung heroes , and have extreme under the radar talent.
Wish you had reviewed 'Get You Back' which really showcases his playing. Amazingly, Shawn started with piano, as did Eric Johnson, another great guitar player.
Thank you so much for sharing Shawn with so many people. We would see him almost weekly in Memphis in tbe 80's when he was with the Willies. He never failed to make us shake our heads in disbelief! He was so nice. He come sit with my buddy and myself between sets sometimes. Very humble. Wed most often talk about aquariums and our fish lol.. He told me he had like 20 aquariums. He was so smart. His skin was always a mess. Bless his heart. I feel honored to have been there. Thanks again!!
Check out his shows with Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe in the mid 90's. I've been binging them for the past few years and I can never get enough of that trio.
Shawn's playing speaks for itself. It's world class. But the music he's playing to..........calypso fusion? I can think of about 23,000 other styles I prefer to that.
teppolundgren exactly. I don’t care how amazing someone is at their given instrument,if the goal is to create something that’s pleasant to listen to this ain’t it. There’s a reason no one outside of guitar fanboy circles has heard of him.
You mention Paul Gilbert's and Buckethead's praise. My favorite came from Vernon Reid (I saw an article when Shawn died.... a lot of comments from a lot of top players, about him).... Vernon Reid was asked if he thought Shawn was the fastest guitar player ever. Vernon replied "He was the fastest *good* guitar player..."
I have listen SHAWN LANE music almost 20 years. He was more than a guitarist and a musician. I consider, he has reached the top level on the guitar and musicianship, then gone another planet. Rest in Peace Shawn. We really miss you...
Excellent Review!!! You could spend 10 years doing reviews of all the Shawn Lane videos available for viewing here on RU-vid. This review just scratches the surface of this man's incredible talent on the guitar. Shawn was also a deep intellectual reading 4 or 5 books a week on many subjects. If you have time, take a listen to the work he did with Jonas Hellborg which is predominantly influenced by the indian raga style of musical improvisation and composition. But there is a mystery surrounding Shawn Lane's music. Why is none of the concert footage available for purchase? I do have the Paris show from May 2003 on DVD. But who own's the rights to Shawn Lane's recorded music and video footage? I can imagine legal battles taking place behind the scenes between Shawn's family, ex-wife, daughter, and all the musicians he played and recorded with. If it wasn't for RU-vid, the world may have never heard of Shawn Lane who, in my opinion, is the greatest and most gifted muscian I have ever heard. To really take your channel to new height's, I think if you got Jonas Hellborg for an interview to direct these questions to, along with the guys from "That Pedal Show" and/or Anderton's Music, your channel would be the #1 place to congregate online for the best critical analysis and interviews of musicians, instruments, and all the pedal toys between the guitar and the amp. Think about it!
Thanks for the suggestion! Yeah I just do these videos as they're requested, one day I hope to make music full time as I have my own album out and do covers on here too 🤘
@@wingsofpegasus Your videos are brilliant. I watch tons of reaction videos and yours are by far the best. Keep up the good work. The enthusiasm you have for music is infectious!
Nice surprise Fil, thanks. Can't believe how unknown Shawn is given his skill level, completely agree about your comments on this playing, he's one of the most listenable shredders, hell guitarists, that I've come across because of the melody and variety he infuses in his playing.
lane's true talent really shined not when he went off on light speed soloing but when he slowed it down. Songs like epilogue for lisa, flying grey pianos and once upon a time in the west are better showcases for his ability instead of mind-numbing speed.
Always glad to see people find out about the Memphis legend. They used to pass tapes of Shawn around LA and the rockers from the 80's and 90's for sure knew who he was. Many Memphis stories about this cat, Who I did meet and see a few times. A story that I've heard a couple versions of was Joe Walsh , who was known to spend a lot of time in Memphis , either at Ardent studios and others, who I saw at a guitar store here years ago just hanging out, once heard Shawn live and was blown away. The story varies - but the tag line was always the same: " yeah. He is fucking amazing. Fast. But why is he is such a damn hurry? " Noting Shawn's fast playing and finger picking. Lol. Anyway - RIP Shawn Lane.
Well, I was waiting for this video. Shawn was a genius, one of these virtuosos like Bach, Chopin, Liszt... who had the ability to merge a amazing technique with gorgeous melodies. And like many of those genius, he left us too soon.
I am a big fan of what you're doing here brother. Great job! I remember recommending Shawn Lane to your channel before. But, I'd love to see another video on Shawn.
Soooo glad to see people still talking about Shawn Lane. As kids I met Shawn at about 15 years old..shared a rehearsal space in a back yard in north Memphis. Years later after I was in Nashville, we stayed in close touch...talked about music and songs and I ended up using him on sessions in nashville. A monstrous talent and beautiful human......way out in front of any other player on the planet in terms of composition, fusing different styles and sheer blinding, clean speed with melody and soul. A complete wonder drooped on the planet in Memphis, of all places. We were lucky to see him play and witness it first hand. #listentoshawnlane
Every time I listen to this (and i've been listening to Grey Pianos Flying for over a decade, and it's accompanied me through so many fraught and beautiful situations over that time) I can only say that Shawn Lane had that ability to pick things from this universe and put them into a composition that brings a tear to our eye or a mellow smile upon our face, or both at the same time! Shawn was truly a beautiful human being and great composer, and his music is testimony to so many things...
I'm new to the channel still have lots a videos to watch, Great analysis, Shawn was a superior player and like many others he is truly missed.. Thank you and keep rocking......
For me it is his phrasing that really sets him apart from the others often mentioned as peers. Constantly blown away by his total control of the instrument and honestly can't think of another player to match him in that regard.
The way the other players in the NAMM 93 video displays it perfectly. Everyone was just waiting for him to step up and annihilate the crowd - you can see it in their faces. It's the gods of guitar looking at something greater than any of them.
Every One knows when Al Di Meola & Frank Gamble Created the Hope you just something was wrongand you saw it was like alice in wonderland the man behind the Curtin and you new The Hope of Forever was True
I will tell you a little insight on his picking and patterns that is difficult to pick up watching him because of his speed. He rarely uses this 3rd finger which most of us rely on heavily. I know this because he told me and demonstrated when I was fortunate enough to sit down and take lessons from him years ago!!
I knew Shawn when he was only 16 and smoking every guitar player in Memphis . Fast forward many years when one night Shawn and a friend came over to my house and as we stood in the kitchen my dad walks in and I introduce him to the guys and I said this is Shawn and he plays guitar and my dad says ''Guitar player? So are you any good?'' Well I could have died from embarrassment but Shawn being such a sweet and soft-spoken guy he smiles and says ''I think so'' THINK????? One of the best on the planet but still grounded without any ego. I miss Shawn so much
@@wingsofpegasus When Shawn wasn't playing he was reading at the Central St. Library. Then when he stopped touring with Black Oak he put down the guitar and mastered the Classical Piano
I wonder how he ended up playing with Country artists like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristoferson ...... It just doesn't sound like it would be a "natural" fit.
Trivia comment... I discovered harmonics in the 70's by looking at my old CRT TV through the strings... I could see the guitar string vibrations/waveforms...
Never like comparing and judging who is and isn't in the guitarist's league table. In all honesty and IMHO this kid Shawn Lane is above them all. I've seen the most of the so called great guitarists in all genres of music, and gotta say Shawn tops them all.Extraordinary musicians like Shawn come around once in an eon. Cannot find enough superlatives to describe how fantastic a guitarist this guy was, and he reckoned he was a better pianist, unbelievable ☘
Great post Phil. I am glad you did a video on this absolute monster of a musician. You are right, when it comes to technique, it doesn't get any better than Shawn's. Nobody was faster than Shawn either. It is too bad his life ended at a young age due to health problems.I understand modern medicine of today could have saved him if he was still around. What's sad because he couldn't even afford health insurance, even after the release of his album.For some reason, it just didn't sell very good, so Shawn struggled with $$ problems for the remainder of life But I feel every guitarist out there should at least know about Shawn and know how good he was, because you won't find anybody with more skill than him.
He died from a lung infection while in a hospital, it's not like he was out on the street just dying with no help; and just because you don't have insurance doesn't mean they won't treat you. What treatment do they have now that would have cured his arthritis? I am not aware of any advancements, people still take the same drugs they had in 2003.
Haha, because that makes too much sense. Besides they wouldn't change our current screwed up system because too many people make money off of it. That's what is happening here in the USA, the rich get richer, the poor get poorer. I am American, but in no way do I claim to be a proud one.. It will get worse before it gets better !!
Somebody on another post mentioned a new drug.Don't remember what it was called or if it it is being used currently,maybe it's just being tested but this guy said it doesn't have the weight gain problem like Hydrocortisone does. I'll try to look at that old post and I find any more info about it I will post you back.
I'm so happy you reviewed this! I was literally watching him play this song the other day and was going to recommend it to you. Shawn is the true king. RIP
Nice analysis, Fil. Even though i stopped playing for a time in the '80s, I still enjoyed the 'shred era'. I'd read about Shawn and him joining BOA at 14 or so but never heard him. Sorta got burnt out on the whole scene and tired of this style by '92. By '93 decided to tackle playing again. Just for fun (did play out a bit). man, 'scary' was a word i was almost happy to hear coming from Paul Gilbert. What i was thinking all along while watching this.
This clip is a major "what the?" moment!! Thanks a lot for the info about Shawn, one of the true greatest amongst the greatest. His existence might have been enough to make Clapton give up. What a loss for us all! I will say "Amen" for you. :-)
Every guitar player knows, Shawn Lane was the greatest guitar player ever, and it's not even close. Who else? Holdsworth? He was in awe of Shawn. Eddie? Vai? Satch? Like comparing other Hall of Famers to Babe Ruth. Others may have been better in their specific genres - Stevie Ray, Segovia - but no one can play Shawn Lane. God's gift to humanity, and the patron saint of guitarists. RIP Shawn.
Its pointless to talk about 'best' at this level - they are just different. Shawn was truly amazing and one wonders what might have been if Shawn hadn’t been taken before his time. But, and this is a big but, Shawn drew from those that went before, such as John McLaughlin's Indian leanings and Holdsworth’s astonishing fluidity and chordal work. In the fullness of time Holdsworth will be regarded as ‘the One’ however, his harmonic concept was totally unique and way beyond the grasp of all, including Mclaughlin etc. Also Allan advanced the technical side of guitar playing, particularly his whammy bar approach - just ask EVH about his influence. Shawn was less harmonically advanced than Allan, and only in his later years realised that speed alone was not the key (check out Centrifugal Funk for example where speed really isn’t his friend), but had other amazing gifts of course, including his melodic sense and compositional gifts. All are great and contribute to the sum of guitar music however, and we should be happy and grateful we have been graced by their genius.
One of Shawn's most beautiful songs is "Epilogue for Lisa" . Check out the video clip of him playing the song at The Musician's Institute Hollywood in february 5th of 1993.
Another fantastic analysis of yet another TRUE legend of the instrument......still picking my face up from his 'incendiary' runs!......my jaws still on the floor......What a 'gift from God'......and now he's in his presence, jamming with all the other past greats.....and I'm sure my father's there with them all (my biggest influence)..... Thanks again from this 'humbled, eternal student of the guitar', I pray God bless Shawn's family and yours abundantly....ps, was awesome to see the outpouring of love and respect from his peers....ALL 'monster technicians' themselves......made it that much more amazing......he, left us 'mere mortals' a breathtaking legacy.
Man Shawn makes it look super easy! Of course it isn't easy at all! I work and work and can't achieve a third as much as these greats flip off without even trying it seems! Lol. Never give up though folks, just remember, there are geniuses out there who display all of their magic for us all to see. We can learn from what they freely give away. And yes, Slash is a fantastic guitar player and has always sort of disguised himself with his hat and hair. Would I know him on the street if I walked right past him? Not unless he was wearing his hat and had his hair over his face....lol. Thanks Fil for once again bringing these great guitarists to the forefront and to our attention. No doubt you are helping a new generation of guitar players become even better by exposing them to these greats from the past, and not so far past. It's a win/win situation for us all. Peace out and "Long Live The South."
i run into ppl here in memphis who knew him. my admiration of their friend gives us an immediate connection. in that way, shawn is still bringing ppl together. he was just honored on beale. if there is another guitarist near his level of virtuosity, i’ve never heard them
