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Ken Shane : South Ridgeway Avenue
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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.
Genre: Rock: Americana
Release Date: 2003
South Ridgeway Avenue Record Label: Ridgeway Records
  • Download Album (MP3) - $4.99
  • Buy CD - $7.99
SPECIAL: 10% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!
Preview Song Name Time Format Price Select
Summer and Smoke 3:04 $0.99
Good Friday 4:15 $0.99
When I Loved You 3:24 $0.99
South Ridgeway Avenue 6:53 $0.99
Invisible 3:22 $0.99
Sacred Heart 4:10 $0.99
Grace 4:34 $0.99
World Without End 5:24 $0.99
The Motions 4:11 $0.99
Disappeared 4:58 $0.99
My Grandmother's Hands 4:18 $0.99
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Album 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

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REVIEWS

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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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