Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Canadian Shane Simpson amps up with the aptly titled "More Electric." Simpson shows a polished and sophisticated blend of musical styles; jazz, rock, country swing and some precise finger-picking that harkens back to a young Steve Howe. His jazz background is apparent with some complex chord structuring but, at the heart of this cd Simpson proves that he loves to rock. His electric riffs blaze with intensity and he sings with a soulful conviction that falls somewhere near Lyle Lovett and fellow Canadian Gordon Lightfoot. I could drink a case of this myself. - Rob Dunne
Switch to pop/folk songwriting pays off with outstanding compilation. The results are as strong as any singer-songwriter album you'll hear this year. - Allan Wigney
With tunes this satisfying and musicianship this good, Shane Simpson's dance card should be filling up before too long.
- Jim Kelly
Shane Simpson is remarkable for his guitar playing. - Gary Hayes
It seems Canada is fast becoming a Mecca of undiscovered talent -- for new artists previously unheard of on this side of the pond at least. This was certainly the case for me when I got my copy of More Electric ... The lyrics are young, it's tasteful, and it's damn good. Lend it an ear -- see what I mean.
- Peter Massey
Virtuoso guitar playing helps deliver the well-crafted songs on this, his second CD. Some of the material, although having a deep seated acoustic guitar base, is accented by tasty electric accents. The tunes are melodic with a drive that promises you will listen to the end. - Chopper McKinnon - host
Discography
Wild Rice - 2004 (instrumental)
More Electric - 2002
Sketches - 2001
Simpson has received airplay in Europe, Australia and across North America on public and college / community radio.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
A professional musician since the age of seventeen, Ottawa’s Shane Simpson is a relative newcomer to the roots music arena, having spent 15 years pursuing his craft as a fingerstyle jazz guitarist. The impulsive purchase of a steel string guitar drew Shane back to his songwriting roots where he incorporates elements of blues, jazz, flamenco and bluegrass to his music.
Shane released his second CD “More Electric” in the fall of 2002. His fingerstyle finesse, charging rhythms and melodic single note soloing had critics marveling at his fretboard acrobatics:
“Virtuoso guitar playing helps deliver the well-crafted songs … the tunes are melodic with a drive that promises you will listen to the end” - CHOPPER MCKINNON, host CANADIAN SPACES
"Outstanding compilation ... as strong as any singer-songwriter album you'll hear this year." - ALLAN WIGNEY, THE OTTAWA SUN
Since the release of “More Electric” Shane has performed to enthusiastic audiences at festivals and clubs across Canada. Highlights include performances at the Ottawa Cisco Systems Bluesfest, the inaugural Toronto Star Bluesfest - where he also was asked to host the “Roots” and “Not The Opera” stages, Montreal International Jazz Festival, and the Mariposa Folk Festival. He’s had the opportunity to perform with Juno award winning blues guitarists Sue Foley and Jack deKeyzer, and shared the bill on numerous occasions with two-time US Fingerstyle Guitar Champion Don Ross as part of the “Six Strings and Counting” concert series.
In March 2003 the Shane Simpson Band was the subject of a feature television broadcast on Roger’s Television “Front Row Centre,” and his song "Nowhere Near" was one of 16 winning songs chosen from across the country as part of Canadian Musician Magazine's national Great Canadian Talent Search.
Shane’s music has been compared to artists like Lyle Lovett and Blue Rodeo. The song “Not Talking At All” off his first CD “Sketches” caught the attention of Blue Rodeo staff, and was ultimately chosen by members of Blue Rodeo to be included in a Best of the New Music Network compilation CD.
In addition to a busy solo career, Shane records and tours with the jazzgrass guitar duo “Wild Rice,” as well as Northern Blues recording artist James Cohen. Shane will accompany two-time Juno winner David Francey to Scotland and England as his guitarist in the Fall of 2004.
Shane has been the subject of an instructional guitar video and produced “The Guitar Style of Lenny Breau,” featuring Paul Bourdeau. These videos have sold copies worldwide and have received rave reviews. In addition to acting as music editor for Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, Shane's articles and transcriptions have also appeared regularly in leading international guitar publications.
Shane owns and operates a busy home recording studio, and has been increasingly in demand as a session guitarist. Past clients have included 8-string jazz guitarist Jason Crawford, Robert Farrell, and the Ottawa Writer’s Bloc.
Shane attended the Jazz program at Humber College in Toronto, and has studied with some of Canada’s finest jazz guitar players, including Lorne Lofsky and Roddy Ellias.
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