Myself.........haha I have been told by people I sound like Scott Henderson,Wayne Krantz,Mike Stern,Larry Coryell,Al DiMeola,John McLaughlin etc.I don't know
I just try to be myself and that's when I really play my best.
It is obvious from a listen to his recent Black Sheep
CD, that Shawn Needham is a very talented and
versatile guitarist. On “Funkasaurus” he sounds like a
fiery fusion guitarist, the cooking blues “Camille’s
Tune” is boppish a la Wes Montgomery and Kenny
Burrell, and the title cut is rock-oriented and
passionate. Few musicians could sound so credible in
such a variety of styles while still always sounding
like himself, but it is natural for Needham, an
important new voice on the guitar.
Shawn Needham was born in Bangor, Maine. “As far as I
can remember, I always played guitar. We had a bass
guitar in the house and I first goofed around with
that before deciding when I was six that I wanted a
guitar. I had a few brief years of basic guitar
lessons and from sixth grade and throughout high
school I also played saxophone, both tenor and alto in
the band program.” He attended a conservatory to learn
classical guitar but remembers that “after I heard the
first Van Halen record, I was blown away that one
could do that on guitar, and soon I switched to
electric guitar. A little later on, my teacher was
Alan Hager, a fantastic player. He turned me on to the
fusion players like Steve Morse, Al DiMeola and Mike
Stern, and then I worked my way back history-wise,
listening to the more straight ahead players. In more
recent times I have been studying with Charlie
Banacos who has really taught me a lot.”
Needham played with garage bands while in high school.
After graduation he worked around Cape Cod in several
diverse groups, performing original progressive rock
with Cold Fusion, cover tunes with Cape Fear, and
fusion with Nothing Nice. He also became a guitar
teacher. By the time he left Cape Cod in 2003, he had
70 students and a one-year waiting list. “The best
thing about teaching is when I find the one person who
is in a similar position as I was early on, someone
who is really hungry to learn.”
Shawn Needham currently lives in the Midwest, close to
several large cities including Nashville. He has
appeared on many recordings as a sideman and
previously led five privately recorded CDs but
considers Black Sheep to be his first major project as
a leader. “I went to California to record that CD and
it was a pleasure to play with such high-caliber
musicians. This is the first time that I’ve really
enjoyed listening to one of my records.” Listeners
will certainly enjoy this program for each selection
has its own personality and, despite the diversity of
styles, the set has a strong unity and is consistently
creative. The guitarist really cuts loose and
stretches himself. “I have a passionate style and I
mean every single note I play 100%. I definitely go
for it. I’m always thinking about what I as a listener
would want to hear next.”
Black Sheep displays Shawn Needham’s attention to
detail and dynamics, his ability to change tones and
moods while always grooving, and his knack for
constantly coming up with the unexpected. It is an
exciting step forward for the creative guitarist who
is poised to have a very significant career.
Black Sheep FULL Release.
This is a phenominal record with some great tunes and is not a low level recording. It was recorded in a professional studio in Berkeley California and produced,recorded and mixed by Jon Evans.He also happens to be a super bad bass player,he also records and tours with Tori Amos.
To order cds just google "shawn needham black sheep" and a ton of online stores will come up so you can shop around for the best price. I am signed to and have an exclusive distribution deal with Rhombus records(www.rhombus-records.com)and I am currently looking for managament and booking agencys willing to take me on. Some bad business on other peoples parts have made my upcoming tour etc. probably not going to happen as soon as I thought. But that's the biz.I have a great label in Rhombus and they are going to help me get set up with and agency so we can get back on track a soon as possible.
Shawn, figured out the download, or at least got the live songs from your playlist to mine. Haven't figured out if I can get onto my ipod. LOVING THE ALBUM. Evan's listening to it at the moment!! Wishing you great things!
The Head to Cheese cake is really catchy, I'll be humming it all day at work, and it will probably come out in a bass solo some day...I pay homage the best way I know how. Peace Love and Happiness to you brotha
