Forever Songs. Shane Alexander

After two beautiful singles, both collaborations, it is time for Shane Alexander's new album on the blog. Forever Songs is a very well chosen title, beacause the songs sound as if they have been there sort of forever. Start the album and you will hear 'You Make Your Own Luck'. The song sounds so familiar and warm. Like coming home to the place where you feel loved best. It can be explained in at least two ways.

First is hearing Shane Alexander's warm voice once again. It makes me realise how long ago it is he released his previous album, 'A Life Like Ours', it's from 2019 and how long it is since I've seen him play live. Yes, there was the pandemic of course. Anyway, the waiting days are over! He has that kind of voice that gets to me so easily. I can listen to it for a long time.

The second reason is that the song sounds as if I've known it all my life. It taps into thousands of songs that came before and touched me in one way or another. I write this with the best of intentions, as it fully stands its own against all that came before.

And allow me to add a third reason. The warmth coming from all the instruments. 'You Make Your Own Luck' is a mid  tempo song, starting with a harmonica, a lament like in 'Once Upon A Time In The West'. From there the song is sparsely filled in, but all in great taste. A picked acoustic guitar, slow piano notes and a background vocal in all the right moments. Finally, the "explosion" sets in for an electric guitar solo. This is the kind of song that I want to open a singer-songwriter album.

In a way you already have all the information on Forever Songs that you need. Shane Alexander reached for a high standard and has the experience to reach it. It all sounds as if it took no effort at all, most likely showing the listener in an indirect way the hard work that went into crafting the songs to perfection.

Shane Alexander and I may be going back for close to 20 years now. Long before this blog, underway for 13 years, he made it to the preceding magazine. With his albums and live shows in the Q-Bus in Leiden. But where most artists I saw there, were never heard of again, Shane (plus The Hackensaw Boys and The Maureens) have become constants in my life.

With Forever Songs Shane Alexander in his way tips his hat to several artists. Like George Harrison's slide guitar sound in 'Ballad Of The Troubadour' in a song that has the spaciousness of a Billy Joel song. You'll find more references that I won't give away. What it all tells me, is that this album is a mature one by a successfully seasoned singer-songwriter. The sound of a singer-songwriter who is very comfortable with his voice and his music. The kind of songs that are simply so pleasant to listen to.

The only thing you must not be looking out for is danger in music. You won't find it here. However, anyone with a love for beautiful singer-songwriter, folk with a little pop and acoustic rock in songs, is at the right address with Forever Songs. Go check the album out and be on the look out for live shows as well.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You will find Shane Alexander's albums here:

https://shanealexander.bandcamp.com/