Music Review: “A Hundred White Lies” by Shane Dwight

I’ve been on a “roots music” kick lately, hell I’ve been on a roots music kick since I picked up my first bass guitar in 1968 or so. But, lately I have been listening to a lot of artists that I hadn’t listened to before, and apparently I’m not the only one on this roots kick. Shane Dwight is one you don’t want to miss, you may have been lucky enough to have already caught his act, if you are one of the lucky ones. Dwight is one of the road warriors, a veteran of 200 or so shows per year.

That road warrior status comes with a price. The stress of touring can be bad enough, but when you’ve got a wife at home it can be particularly hard. It can lead to separation. It can lead to sad conversations. It can lead to dark, lonely nights.It can lead to divorce. It can lead to a Hundred White Lieswhich is the title of the latest and most creative album yet from the blues/roots guitarist and singer/songwriter.

Eleven of the twelve songs featured here are Shane Dwight originals inspired by that three year process of touring, separation and divorce. Sometimes, good things come out of the darkest times and Hundred White Lies is one of those good things.

Shane Dwight “Black Ice”

From the opening song, the blue eyed soul tune that reminds you of the best Boz Scaggs, Call Me, to the country kissed rocker, Black Ice. And from one of my favorites, She Strutts, a delta blues flavored, John Lee Hooker style sexy smile of a song. To the slow rocker, Wagon Wheel and on to the roots rock of I’m Talkin’ To You it’s plain to see the route Dwight took through those three years and how they lead him to the door of  gold record and Grammy Award-winner Kevin McKendree (As Delbert McClinton’s band leader on "Nothing Personal" and "Cost Of Living," ). McKendree produced the set and brought in "Dick 50," better-known as Delbert McClinton's recording and touring band, featuring - in addition to McKendree on keyboards - Rob McNelley (guitar), Lynn Williams (drums) and Stephen Mackey (bass). Guesting on background vocals are Bekka Bramlett (daughter of Delaney & Bonnie and
former member of Fleetwood Mac).

It’s all here, from the pain of life to the search for your muse to flirting after midnight, to lying awake in strange hotel rooms. Most of all what is here is some great music. Give it a listen, and if you get a chance to catch Shane Dwight during the extensive tour which will also include dates at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, TN – on Thursday October 6, Fri Oct 07 11 09:00 PM at The Shamrock Pub in St. Louis, MO - Sat Oct 08 11 09:00 PM Club Mississippi in Louisiana, MO - Wed Oct 12 11 09:00 PM Rum Boogie Cafe in Memphis, TN . For more dates, check out Shane’s website.

Shane Dwight is a veteran of the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise (West Coast and East Coast), headlined and performed at some of the biggest music festivals around the world, including Beale Street Music Festival, Bayfront Blues Festival, Bethlehem Musikfest, Ottawa Bluesfest and Portland Waterfront Blues Festival. He has performed with and/or shared the stage with a wide variety of some of the biggest names in music: B.B. King, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Night Ranger, The Marshall Tucker Band, Johnny Winter, Etta James, The Doobie Brothers and Jimmie Vaughan, to name a few. His music has been heard on hundreds of radio stations in over 30 different countries.

Blues Revue magazine stated: "Shane Dwight is a talented musician and an impressive songwriter... Dwight's guitar playing is as substantial as his songwriting." The San Francisco Chronicle called him "a
charismatic and talented guitarist, vocalist and songwriter." Andrew Gilbert of the San Jose Mercury News said of Dwight: "Tough, lean guitar work and commanding vocals, he is a tour de force... Shane is a killer songwriter, singer, guitarist and performer... he is an artist who's creating a soulful Americana sound."

Born on the East Side of San Jose and raised on a horse ranch in
Morgan Hill, California, it was a tough decision for Shane to pack up
and move to Nashville to further pursue his musical career. You can picked up the CD or download the MP3 at all the usual places. and that ain’t no Lie.

 

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