Quotes (Fans) “Shane who…..?”. This
might be one’s first reaction when mentioning this seasoned
veteran’s first solo release; that is, until you realize that
you have most probably been listening to his music since the1970’s. He
has recorded, performed, and/or composed with the likes of Paul Simon,
Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Shania Twain, and Lone Justice just
to name a few (view his bio and hear the music at shanefontayne.com). On “What
Nature Intended”, Shane demonstrates just what keeps the greatest
songwriters and performers in the world calling on him for their
own projects. This record runs deep. Songwriting, production, musicianship,
arrangements, and lyrics are all strongly represented here on this
self-produced effort. Fontayne’s ethereal, fluid guitar
work, and hypnotic, tribal grooves combine with rich vocal harmonies
and arrangements, weaving a variety of musical soundscapes: from
the anthemic mosh of “cut from the same cloth”, to the
languid beauty of “so high”, the sad haunting of “little
napoleons”, the sheer fun and bounce of “there’s
only room for me”, and the…..well……..”voodoo” of “voodoo
in the house”. There are flavors of the Beatles, Pink Floyd,
solo Robby Robertson, smoky jazz clubs, evolving relationships, and
glorious spring days. This is not a “one sound” record. There are fourteen very strong, but quite varied
tunes offered here, (not including the bonus track at the end, a
classical string and vocal arrangement of “little napoleons”,
that has me wishing it went on a bit longer than its actual one minute
or so). Fontayne has taken all the richness of his life, his musical
influences, and his career and poured them into every note. There
is a reverence for the music in his songwriting and performance,
as if the music were directing and playing him, not the other way
around. Yet his dedication and attention to detail, coupled
with his keen production, keep the often-thick arrangements sounding
cohesive, emotive, and powerful. There is no wasted sound (or silence)
here, and still, with each listen, there is something new to hear.
I recommend a listen through your best set of headphones for a real
treat. The production and arrangement are outstanding and propel
the songs, without overshadowing them and sounding technical. What
holds these fourteen gems together, and makes the record a great
event to listen to in its entirety, is its theme. Lyrically,
the record is a celebration of the human spirit, both the lightest
and the darkest aspects. It is a celebration of the experience
of living life, with all its discord and beauty, and of the search
and eventual claiming of love, the glue that holds this whole crazy
experience together. The lyrics have some clever unexpected
twists, and are powerful without being preachy or didactic. For
all of us rock and pop aficionados who continue to grow and evolve
through the years, this record speaks straight to the heart. It
will have you dancing, reflecting, and celebrating the great dance
we call life. So visit Shane and the music at shanefontayne.com,
and pick up a copy of this CD, as the man who has been a “household
sound” on so many great recordings and performances over the
last three decades, becomes a “household name” along
with the Bruce Springsteens, the Paul Simons, and the Rod Stewarts
of our generation. “What Nature Intended is for all
of us to listen. ~Keith Simmonds
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