Frank Shiner, a performer from New York, is the latest addition to the roster of amazing “blue-eyed soul” singers. His silky smooth vocals and his ability to uncover the magic in old standards would make even ‘ole blue eyes’ smile. In his own words: “I don’t do ‘covers,’ I reinterpret songs. If I can’t put my own spin on something, I won’t do it.”
Without question, Shiner, already a winner of two LA Music Critic Awards, clearly demonstrates his finely-honed ability to put his own unique stamp on songs previously recorded by others. On his sophomore album, Lonely Town, Lonely Street, he turns in otherworldly performances on songs previously made famous by such artists as The Young Rascals, Brook Benton, Sam & Dave, Elton John, Bill Withers and Donny Hathaway with an amazing collection of 12 songs written by such legendary songwriters as Randy Newman, Doc Pomus, Isaac Hayes & David Porter and Tony Joe White, among others.
“I decided to do ‘blue-eyed soul’ for my second album,” explains the New York resident, using a term that was first coined by renowned black radio personality Georgie Woods in the mid-‘60s when referencing The Righteous Brothers. “I’ve always been intrigued by and loved the genre which has really morphed into including artists like my heroes Hall & Oates, Amy Winehouse and others.”
Shiner kicks off the record with a truly heartbreaking rendition of “How Can I Be Sure,” the Young Rascals’ smash 1967 hit, which has drawn praise from Gene Cornish, the Rascals’ guitarist. In fact, Cornish was so impressed that he joined Shiner on stage during a sold out show at New York’s Cutting Room. Shiner follows that tune with an Al Green-worthy interpretation of the R&B classic, “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know,” written by Al Kooper of Blood, Sweat & Tears and most famously recorded by Donny Hathaway. Shiner channels his inner-Van Morrison in his version of the songwriter’s “I Will be There,” complete with a jazz score that will knock your socks off, before returning to the classic sounds of Hall & Oates with a haunting performance of “She’s Gone.”
Track 5 is a soulful and passionate take on Randy Newman’s “Guilty,” (previously recorded by Bonnie Raitt), which Shiner knocks out of the park, before Track 6 gives us the instant classic “Rainy Night in Georgia.” The title track follows, a Bill Withers’ written, lesser known tune that was included on the same album that gave us “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
Rounding out the second set of four aka track 8 is “When Something is Wrong With My Baby,” originally recorded back in 1967 by Sam and Dave, and written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. “I did it as a duet with (award-winning vocalist) Leslie Mendelson – which has been done before by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt. Like everything else on the album, it was done live in the studio – and literally, Leslie and I sang looking at each other, picking up on each other’s tones, mirroring each other’s riffs. It was wonderful.” Shiner’s version is one of our favorite moments on the album, and we think should be released as the next single.
Shiner brings it all home with his final four songs, an electic lot including Amy Winehouse’s “Love is a Losing Game,” Justin Timberlake’s “Drink You Away,” Elton John’s “Shine on Through,” and Harry Connick, Jr.’s “There is Always One More Time,” written by Ken Hirsch and Doc Promus.
The album is produced by 12-time Grammy winning producer Jay Newland, who also handpicked some of the best musicians possible for the album. Those musicians include keyboardist and arranger Glenn Patscha (Roger Waters, Marc Cohn, Bettye Lavette, Sheryl Crow & Willie Nelson), guitarist Sherrod Barnes (Roberta Flack & Whitney Houston), drummer Dan Rieser (Marcy Playground, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones), saxophonist Andy Snitzer (Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones) and bassist Zev Katz (Jeff Beck, Carole King, Lady Gaga & James Taylor).
Shiner sums up the album with these words: “I’m loving every second of what I’m doing now. I just want to do more of this . . . performing and recording, and if this album goes somewhere, well, that’s the cherry on top of the sundae . . . but I’ve already got the sundae! The greatest compliment I get when I perform is when audience members tell me they can see the total bliss and total joy I have onstage and how I made it fun for them too. The minute I lose that, it’s time to stop.”
We don’t see that happening anytime soon. This album is a definite “Get It” and we strongly recommend you grab it by any means necessary. In addition, we strongly encourage you to experience Shiner live, if he plays anywhere within driving distance of you.
Special thanks to Jen Lyneis and David Nathan for the incredible press release and background information.
