Love Shawn Smith’s Pink Spell
posted by on February 27 at 13:50 PM
There are albums that you never get sick of, right? Why is that?
What makes an album have long life?
In 2003, Shawn Smith self released Shield of Thorns.
For me, it has stayed viable. The more I hear it, the more I like it.
The lyrics, song structure, tones, arrangements, and production remain engaging. There’s not too much going on. Everything sets up everything else. And his vocals plead and cut with funk, soul, and gospel.
It’s honest. I think that’s why it holds up. The melodies and the progressions don’t get old.
Two of the songs, “Leaving California” and “Wrapped in my Memory,” appeared in episodes during the 5th season of Sopranos.
In “Wrapped in my Memory” he sings sadly:
“It couldn’t have happened to a better man / It couldn’t have been any different than it was
And you’re wrapped in my memory like chains
Wonder if i’ll ever be so unafraid / To walk to the river and turn around again”.
In “Golden Age” there’s an urgency. You hear him at the end out of breath, gasping, spent.
Shawn’s like a gangster medicine man. He’s the outskirts of town, a shadow. A mystery. A Prince disciple who’s not afraid to watch Cheech and Chong all night long. His shows are always on.
You must witness if you haven’t.
Shawn is a piece of Seattle. Past bands are Satchel, Brad – with Stone Gossard, Pigeonhed – with Steve Fisk.
Shawn bands of now are The Diamond Hand, Forever Breakers, and a Malfunkshun project based on Andrew Wood, of Mother Love Bone called, Von Nord.
Shawn plays at the Rainbow Club in Milan, Italy, for a Pearl Jam Tribute Concert on April 24th.
I adore Shawn Smith. I first saw him perform in 1995 at the Shelter in Detroit (scene of the rap battles in Eight Mile) with Satchel. He couldn't play piano and sing at the same time very well back then, but when he returned to play upstairs at St. Andrew's Hall the next year with Brad, he'd figured it out, and the band put on the best of countless shows I saw there over the course of ten years.
Seattle Sound's editor just wrote that Satchel's EDC was the last, best album to come out of Seattle before Jesse Sykes' new one. That might be overblowing it a bit, but EDC was easily one of the best albums from that time and this place, anyway.
I totally totally agree. He's a gem
Shawn Smith is one of the best shows you will see. Shield of Thorns is a great record.
He has a huge following in the UK and he's never even been there.
Someone put out a cd of UK bands covering Shawn Smith songs.
Yeah, great album. Great musician. Great singer.
And you have to respect the self released album. He did it all himself. Nothing flashy. I think it did deserve more distribution though.
Solid solid solid.
Agreed, amazing artist, amazing music, and a Shaman in his own right.
That album is pretty stripped down. That's why it's good for me. Those are the types of records that I think live longer. And Shawn's voice is so strong and unique. He is a funk king with gangster love. He can play the shit out of some Purple Rain. I wish I could go to Italy.
I've never liked PJ--except for that Avengers cover--but I dig Smith's voice. Just checked Amazon, and this title is listed as OOP, with used copies starting at $20+. (It's not currently listed on eBay/Half.com.) That ain't right!
I have never heard his music before but I have heard of him as a legend that one will go number one on my list of things to do.
Comments Closed
In order to combat spam, we are no longer accepting comments on this post (or any post more than 14 days old).