Music
Press
"What can I say....Bloody Good!!!! Big Bang Theory is one of the best Cds I have heard in a long while, hats off to Shaun who Im sure he will be taking Centre Stage in the Music World before long!"
- Martin Smith, Radio Seagull UK (Sep 28, 2008)
"Comparisons aside, Barrowes' music is shown strong on this solid debut album, which -- while clearly defined -- shows that he has room to grow and evolve while remaining true to his artistic vision."
- Bernadette Giacomazzo , Pop Culture Madness (Nov 04, 2008)
"This set covers a lot of pop culture ground, and covers it well, and a lot of it seems a million miles away form AI. He’s sure to take you by surprise no matter from which entry point you are aware of him."
- Chris Spector, Midwest Records (Aug 19, 2008)
"Shaun Barrowes is a jazzy, rich-voiced singer of adult contemporary music...Barrowes is able to easily take on an entire song, with little accompaniment. Between love melodies and jazz-flavored numbers, Barrowes is constantly warbling through pleasant melodies, with an unstoppable energy. "
- Susie Kopecky , The Celebrity Cafe (Aug 25, 2008)
"Like Jamie Cullum, Barrowes' brand of jazzy pop mines the middle ground between Harry Connick, Jr. and classic Billy Joel. Even his smooth vocals has the tone of Joel and the delivery of Connick...Barrowes' Big Bang Theory is a can't-miss proposition!"
- Pico, Something Else! (Sep 23, 2008)
"You can hear, he is a mucicien with experience. He takes you with him through his songs. Each song is a surprise!"
- Jan Nederveen, Radio 794, The Netherlands (Sep 26, 2008)
"...the music of Shaun Barrowes caught my ear! Barrowes adds some interesting accents with his piano work without smothering the vocals."
- Mark Saleski, Jazz.com (Oct 09, 2008)
- Various
Big Bang Theory Will Be Pianist/Singer/Songwriter’s First Release since Reaching American Idol’s Final 48 during the Show’s 7th Season
Although he had been enjoying an increasingly successful career as a performer and songwriter for quite some time on his own terms, 28 year old Shaun Barrowes decided to join the hundreds of thousands of contestants hoping to become the next American Idol. Although he didn’t reach the final level of the competition, Barrowes did make it to Hollywood, placing among the show’s Final 48, and he says that losing probably did more than winning could have done to help move him toward crafting his new CD, Big Bang Theory, which will drop on September 23.
“American Idol basically allotted me five months of ‘vacation time,’ during which I got back in shape, fine tuned my vocal and piano skills, and read up on the changing music industry, preparing my mind for what was to come. I recharged my batteries, as I was a little burnt out from a 6 month tour I had booked and promoted myself,” he explains.
The results of that recharge can be heard on Barrowes’ Big Bang Theory, a solid cross-over CD that bridges the musical span between jazz and pop sensibilities. Featuring 12 original compositions, Big Bang Theory emphasizes Barrowes’ talent at crafting songs with engaging melodies and affecting lyrics which reflect the confluence of influences that Barrowes claims as significant to the formation of his own, original style: Billy Joel, early Michael Jackson, Sting and Gershwin. “Sting gave me a new appreciation for song development, new arrangement styles and lyrical depth, and Michael Jackson's passionate singing and dancing were very inspiring and still help to fuel my own passion,” says Barrowes. “Gershwin was a brilliant songwriter and composer and his style has rubbed off on me as well.”
Barrowes’ approach to playing piano was greatly influenced by Billy Joel, who, he says, “inspired me to keep pounding on the keys. Because I'm such a hard hitter (I’m known as ‘Hammer Hands’) the phrase ‘tickle the ivories’ really doesn't apply to me.”
Big Bang Theory’s tunes range from energetic, swinging numbers (“Hop, Skip and a Jump”) to poignant ballads (“In My Back Pocket” and “I Still Loved You”) to such romantic offerings as “When I Take Your Hand.” During a recent appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show, Celine Dion, who is certainly no stranger to well crafted songs, said that hearing “When I Take Your Hand” made her want to renew her wedding vows. And while music critics have begun to draw comparisons between Barrowes and Jamie Cullum, another hard-hitting pianist and vocalist who stylistically rides the pendulum that sways between rock, pop, and jazz, Barrowes’ style is just as close to Coldplay and John Mayer as it is to Cullum or Michael Buble´.
With the upcoming release of Big Bang Theory, Shaun Barrowes is poised to break into the musical mainstream in a way that he never could have achieved had he become part of the American Idol machine – on his own terms. “I've waited 12 years to achieve this. And for me, it all came together with a Big Bang, literally, as I pounded on the keys, the drummer crashed the cymbols, the bassist and guitarist strummed and the sax player wailed.”
Big Bang Theory will be available at iTunes and other online retailers. For up to date information about Shaun, check out http://shaunbarrowes.blogspot.com - Boy Fresh
SHAUN BARROWES/Big Bang Theory: If this guy’s name rings a bell, you probably remember him from his cup of coffee on “American Idol”. Like so many others who drift through the show, he seems to see it as a springboard rather than finale. This self-produced set finds him casting himself as a go to guy, not content just to dish up the same slag over and over. With the kind of under the radar spunk it takes to get anywhere these days on his plate by the truck load, he’s been hitting the ball to all fields in his quest for world domination. This set covers a lot of pop culture ground, and covers it well, and a lot of it seems a million miles away form AI. He’s sure to take you by surprise no matter from which entry point you are aware of him.
(CB) - Midwest Record
Shaun Barrowes is a jazzy, rich-voiced singer of adult contemporary music. With a voice like Elton John, Barrowes is able to easily take on an entire song, with little accompaniment. Between love melodies and jazz-flavored numbers, Barrowes is constantly warbling through pleasant melodies, with an unstoppable energy. Not quite as romantic as John Mayer, but with the added edge of a smooth and Elton John-esque voice, Barrowes' Big Bang Theory should delight many listeners looking for a pleasant album to enjoy during the late days of summer.
Reviewer: Susie Kopecky
- Celebrity Cafe
Discography
Big Bang Theory
You're All My Reasons (single)
Light of the Day/Dark of the Night (single)
Live or Die (single)
Photos
Bio
*Shaun Barrowes wrote and performed the theme song for the video game that's currently NUMBER ONE in the USA! Click on link, "Shadow Complex Theme Song" at the bottom.
As the digital revolution continues to force the music industry to evolve, more and more independent artists musicians who dont have and, more significantly, dont need, the support and control of the erstwhile music making machine are finding their own way to success. One of those artists is singer, pianist and songwriter Shaun Barrowes.
Barrowes may be best known for his recent climb up the American Idol ladder, but his brief foray into the pop culture trenches is actually among the least of his accomplishments. While he did make it into the Final 48 during Hollywood Week of the shows 7th season, Barrowes says that losing probably did more than winning could have done to help move him toward crafting his new CD, Big Bang Theory.
American Idol basically allotted me five months of vacation time, during which I got back in shape, fine tuned my vocal and piano skills, and read up on the changing music industry, preparing my mind for what was to come. I recharged my batteries, as I was a little burnt out from a 6 month tour I had booked and promoted myself, he explains.
That tour, which took Barrowes to 23 cities and helped to further increase his dedicated fan base, was just one of the milestones Barrowes has achieved in the past few months as a result of his exceptional combination of talent and drive. In May, he won first place in the Slice the Pie competition, which has provided him with a financial windfall that will allow him to move his career to an even higher level. Hes also recently recorded a new single for the Brazilian market, and composed music for an animated childrens TV show and for a big, upcoming video game.
Barrowes release of Big Bang Theory is a significant milestone for this gifted artist, who has been working towards this goal practically since he was a toddler. Ive been performing since I was three years old and writing songs since I was 15. Ive been making music since I was 16, when I cut my first album I spent a few years in Los Angeles writing for other artists and playing keyboards in a rock band (Spankbaby) for Sony Records, recaps Barrowes.
Big Bang Theory is a solid cross-over CD that bridges the musical span between jazz and pop sensibilities. Featuring 12 original compositions, Big Bang Theory emphasizes Barrowes talent at crafting songs with engaging melodies and affecting lyrics which reflect the confluence of influences that Barrowes claims as significant to the formation of his own, original style: Billy Joel, early Michael Jackson, Sting and Gershwin. Sting gave me a new appreciation for song development, new arrangement styles and lyrical depth, and Michael Jackson's passionate singing and dancing were very inspiring and still help to fuel my own passion, says Barrowes. Gershwin was a brilliant songwriter and composer and his style has rubbed off on me as well.
Barrowes approach to playing piano was greatly influenced by Billy Joel, who, he says, inspired me to keep pounding on the keys. Because I'm such a hard hitter (Im known as Hammer Hands) the phrase tickle the ivories really doesn't apply to me.
Big Bang Theorys tunes range from energetic, swinging numbers (Hop, Skip and a Jump) to poignant ballads (In My Back Pocket and I Still Loved You) to such romantic offerings as When I Take Your Hand. During a recent appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show, Celine Dion, who is certainly no stranger to well crafted songs, said that hearing When I Take Your Hand made her want to renew her wedding vows. And while music critics have begun to draw comparisons between Barrowes and Jamie Cullum, another hard-hitting pianist and vocalist who stylistically rides the pendulum that sways between rock, pop, and jazz, Barrowes style is just as close to Coldplay and John Mayer as it is to Cullum or Michael Buble´.
Comparisons and influences notwithstanding, the one thing that is certain that Shaun Barrowes is an artist whose career is fueled by equal parts style, substance and smarts, and who knows exactly where he is headed. I want people to realize that I'm a versatile songwriter, and that I'm very passionate about my music. I'm not just a jazz singer, or a piano/rock artist. I'd compare my music to the light that's refracted through a prism. It comes out in a variety of patterns and colors, but all derives from the same prism and same light source.
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