Showing posts with label Jim Shaneberger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jim Shaneberger. Show all posts

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Jim Shaneberger Band - Above & Below

Source: CD
Size: 94.2 MB
Time: 40:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. My Way (4:46)
02. Indifference (3:44)
03. Above & Below (4:17)
04. Bright Side (5:21)
05. Ain't Your Daddy's Blues (4:30)
06. I Can't Sleep (4:30)
07. Way Down South (4:50)
08. Just Sayin', Bro (4:51)
09. Whole Lotta Soul (3:57)

Blasting out of Western Michigan, the Jim Shaneberger Band features Jim on guitars and vocals, with Jeff Baldus on bass, and drums shared by Steve Harris, and, on one cut, Karl Schantz. Of the nine original cuts that comprise their second album, “Above And Below,” all were either written by Jim wholly, or with other band members. They mix elements of Hendrix, SRV, and Led Zep, and toss in a love for the Motown sound to give the whole project a little shot of funk.

The fellows set up a stone free groove on the leadoff cut, where Jim sings, “It’s My Way or no way at all.” They proudly preach ’bout that “new sound goin’ down, and it Ain’t Your Daddy’s Blues,” over a roadhouse shuffle beat, and then they all head “Way Down South, chasin’ my demons while my demons chase me!” This one features Jim’s Delta-fied slow-blues guitar, set over a pounding, percussive backbeat.

We had two favorites, too. Both “Indifference” and “Above And Below” beg the musical question, “how many lives must be lost before we get things right,” with “innocent people dying in the streets every time I see the news!” “Indifference” was written in response to the shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling in 2016, and each of these songs show the power of music in reaching out to a troubled society.

For the Jim Shaneberger Band, it’s all about that music. Each song on “Above And Below” is a unique, energetic look at what these guys typically bring to their live shows, and we give this one two big thumbs up!

Above & Below

Monday, January 4, 2016

Jim Shaneberger - Work In Progress

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:55
Size: 93.7 MB
Styles: Funk, Electric blues
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:34] 1. One More Chance
[3:56] 2. Running Your Mouth
[4:41] 3. Trouble
[5:51] 4. Work In Progress
[3:46] 5. You Belong To Me
[2:42] 6. Little Lylia
[4:11] 7. The Storm Is Coming
[3:52] 8. You're Fine
[4:30] 9. Drinking Muddy Water
[3:49] 10. Big Leg Woman

Songwriter and performing musician Jim Shaneberger has been a mainstay in the Michigan music scene for 15 years and counting, recording and touring with Flint, MI blues powerhouse Greg Nagy and the legendary Donald Kinsey. Best known as a bass guitarist and vocalist, Shaneberger’s songwriting prowess makes its debut on Work in Progress. Recorded at Redwall North Recording Company in Grand Haven, MI, the songs boast a bluesy, funky, soulful combination with Shaneberger playing all parts except drums, which are held down by Jim’s longtime friend and bandmate Karl Schantz.

Shaneberger’s original songs are a showcase of his diverse range of musical interests, each drawing from a unique genre and theme. “Trouble” is an r&b song with socially conscious lyrics; his ‘change the world’ song. “Running Your Mouth” is a nod to old school blues with a few twists and some very frank lyrics. “Work in Progress” is a commentary on his own life philosophy about growing goals leading to new challenges. “Little Lylia” is a poignant acoustic guitar instrumental written for his baby daughter. “The Storm is Coming” is a song about planting his flag in the music scene as a solo artist, announcing his arrival and “Drinkin’ Muddy Water” is about the urge to travel and get his music out into the world, expressing the hunger for touring. Musically, it’s like Johnny Winter meets Led Zeppelin.

The Jim Shaneberger Band brings together adept musicians with backgrounds in blues, rock, gospel and funk for a lively stage performance. Schantz, featured on the album, and Shaneberger have worked together previously in the Greg Nagy Band, Mercurial Son and The Funky Gentlemen. Bassist Robert Pace is steeped in gospel, jazz and r&b and has played with Marvin Sapp, Ken Reynolds, The Williams Brothers, Twinkie Clark, The DeBarges and more. The Jim Shaneberger Band won the 2014 Kalamazoo Blues Challenge, earning them a spot in the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.

Work In Progress mc
Work In Progress zippy