KEN SHANE: South Ridgeway Avenue

Ken Shane

South Ridgeway Avenue

© 2003 Ken Shane (659057789323)

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From deep in the heart of Jersey, this set of songs describe one person's journey, encompassing memory, loss, and redemption. While the music began acoustically, somewhere along the way electric guitars and drums joined in. And that's a good thing.

notes

"How does one make a rock n' roll album about growing up on the New Jersey shore, without sounding like Bruce Springsteen? Somehow singer/songwriter/guitarist Ken Shane has done the impossible and crafted a wholly original record. First off, Shane grew up in the culturally unique pre-casino years of Atlantic City, far to the south of Springsteen's beloved Asbury Park. Second, his primarily acoustic arrangements and vocals sound nothing like the Boss; Shane's voice is more akin to the deep, warm tones of Ralph McTell or Richard Shindell. "Summer and Smoke," "Disappeared," and the album's title track capture perfectly those seaside towns, and the ghosts that remain of their once glorious days. "Grace" is a classic love song, set to an easygoing rock beat, while "Sacred Heart" is a stunning mix of poetry and music that recalls the best of writers like Jackson Browne, and it deserves to get airplay. Not completely immune to Springsteenmania, there is a very fine hidden track at the end, which is a loving tribute to Shane's grandmother, set to a very E Street sounding organ refrain. Shane is an artist to watch."

Lahri Bond - Dirty Linen Magazine
(December '03/January '04 #109)


"His voice reminds me of Warren Zevon, his songwriting is reminiscent of Jackson Browne and his subject matter takes Springsteen's Jersey Shore imagery further down south to the Atlantic City area. The biggest question I have after listening to "South Ridgeway Avenue", the debut record by Ken Shane, is what the hell took him so long?

From the opening track, "Summer and Smoke", listeners are transported into a virtual Jersey rock opera. If you've grown up by the beach or have lived here for a long time, these songs will sound like a soundtrack to your life. Not every song deals with the beach, but you're bound to recognize moments from your own life in every song.

It's a testament to the power of Bruce Springsteen's lyrics that you even think of Bruce when listening to Ken Shane. It's almost as if Springsteen is close to having a copyright on Jersey Shore beach songs. Almost, but not quite. Ken Shane proves that these experiences are part of Jersey life. His lyrics ring true because they're from his experiences. He's not trying to copy Springsteen, he's just being Ken Shane. And Ken's vision of Jersey is every bit as important and as relevant as Springsteen's. It's about time Jersey songwriters STRESSED where they came from instead of hiding out of fear of being compared to Bruce. The comparisons will undoubtedly come (and I guess I'm guilty of that as well) but Shane's voice neither sounds like Springsteen and the music bares little resemblance to the traditional sax-induced Jersey Shore sound."

AsburyMusic.com - February 20, 2004

Ken Shane - guitar, vocals
Walt Stacey - guitar
Herb Maitlandt - guitar
Jerry Cordasco - drums
Rich Bunkiewicz - bass
Chris D'Amico - keyboards, background vocals
Jim Brown - keyboards

reviews

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  • 4 years later and it still moves me!
    author: JerryC

    Having played on and engineered the CD I guess I am supposed to be biased. Frankly this is still the one piece of music that I was involved with of which I am most proud. Ken is a friend but he is also a wonderful artist. The rest of the musicians on this gave their heart and soul and it shows.

  • Stuff gets lost; memories last
    author: JCJ

    Delightful lyrics, awesome music (and musicians.) I echo what others have said about the album. Although a grandmother, a cityscape and even the attention of young women may be gone, we can still look back with introspection and affection.

  • Thoughtful lyrics and the soulfull expression make this CD the soundtrack of eve
    author: The Dancing Goat Music lounge

    The best thng about Kens CD is that there is an instant kinship and haunting familiarity . You find yourself singing along and shaking your head in agreance to the thoughtful lyrics, expressions of passion and heartache. Familiar to all of us but rarely comunicated in such poetic and deeply relevent lyrics, this is a cd that deserves a place in everyones collection....

  • A lovely and lyrical tribute
    author: Phylis Feiner Johnson

    You don't need to have spent summers in Atlantic City to love this new cd. If you've ever been in love...ever had a grandmother...ever been loney...ever been YOUNG...you'll find lots to love on South Rideway Avenue.

  • Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous!
    author: Barbara Rothman

    Whether you grew up on or around South Ridgeway Avenue in the 50's and 60's or not this is a beautiful, emotion provoking work of art. This CD is a must for anyone's collection.

  • Wonderful just wonderful
    author: L. B.

    Just a wonderful and inspirational set of songs, especially for an independent artist. It brought tears to my eyes. Worthy of anyone's CD collection.

  • If you have ever been there you must have this CD
    author: Jerry Brown

    If you remember Saul, Eppie, The Palton Sisters, High Hat Joe's, The Strand, or talking about but never actually having sex you must have this Cd. If not you should have this CD.

  • One of the Best CD's of 2003
    author: Andy Bohatiuk - Nashville

    Ken Shane carries on the tradition of great rock singer/songwriters like Bruce Spingsteen, Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon with this truly exceptional piece of autobiographical songs from his days growing up in pre-casino Atlantic City. This is the stuff the music industry left behind when they opted for corporate fluff instead. They say a great song gives you chills or goosebumps. Well, this CD will give you more than your soul can handle. Ken Shane drives you to South Ridgeway Avenue and makes you wanna stay!

  • One mans long journey explained in 11 songs
    author: C. D.

    Ken's Lament on life and love in a New Jersey that time forgot, is an exceptional body of work that makes you feel the seasons change not just monthly but in life itself. Worth your time.

  • This CD rocks and it tears at your heart.
    author: E Andersen

    This CD rocks and it tugs at your heart all at once.If you've ever loved and lost you have to get South Ridegway Avenue. Listen once and you'll have to come back again and again.

  • Great Listen
    author: J. Dent

    This is an intriguing portrait of this phenomenal singer/songwriter. A taste of life... a real sweet listen.

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