All For Today

Talented Shawn Lane knows his musical ropes

By Joe  Jun 1, 2003

Total Playing Time - 37:08...Shawn Lane closes his new solo album, All For Today, with the optimistic title cut that its all for today, but therell be more tomorrow. I can hardly wait for his next solo undertaking. Blue Highways mandolin player and v...ocalist, Shawn Lane steps into the spotlight on this album to feature his multi-instrumental, singing and songwriting skills. Lane plays guitar, mandolin, fiddle; sings lead and harmony vocals; and writes eight of the twelve songs. Shawn has previously worked with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and Larry Sparks. All For Today offers a smooth, contemporary acoustic music sound, with banjo appearing on less than half of the tracks. Songs range from the ballad, I Call Him Son with only guitar accompaniment to songs like Love Me Darling Just Tonight with full bluegrass band accompaniment and the hardest-driving Darlin Nellie Across the Sea, with its uptempo arrangement which I wish also wouldve included some wailing fiddle. Shawn and his wife, Gracia Lane, handle most of the vocals. Gracia sings lead on When I See Your Face and Little Mountain Home. Larry Sparks makes a cameo appearance as lead vocalist on Sawmill Man, and Ronnie Bowman sings lead on Carl Jacksons Jesse And Me. Besides Lane, the other excellent instrumental players on this project include Tom Adams, Barry Bales, Jason Burleson, Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, Jason Moore, and Tim Stafford. This is a tasteful album, with expressive melodies and evocative lyrics. With a little acoustic country, bluegrass, and Gospel, Shawn Lanes material is as eclectic and enjoyable as his varied instrumental and vocal abilities. This CD goes over like a million bucks. This showcase clearly indicates that the talented Shawn Lane knows his musical ropes. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now) Read more Less