Imagine yourself standing at the edge of the world—amidst crashing waves and cooing gulls, feeling enchanted and free.   Now imagine if you could just switch this scenario on at any given time.  That is exactly what happened when we pressed play on Shannon Bryant’s 2007 release, Oceano.  In this intimate fusion of jazz, pop and adult contemporary styles, Ms. Bryant takes the listener to the shores of the human soul for a spiritual awakening unlike any other.  

One of our favorite songs on Oceano is the poetic and enlightening song, “Born Innocent”, which fills the room with an eastern vibe similar to Ravi Shankar (think George Harrison of the Beatles in the 60’s) and offers an underlying and unspoken infinite knowledge found through meditation or sensory deprivation.

Another notable song is “Little Samba”, in which Shannon creatively demonstrates her background in Brazilin and Latin jazz.  The notes seem to jump right off of the disc and begin to dance around the listener in a charming and playful manner.  Shannon’s good-humored vocals speak of the way music is able to magically take hold of her while sitting in front of a piano and playing her “Little Samba”.

In “More of Who You Are”, Shannon brings a dark and mysterious vibe to the album with tight percussion and descending lyrics.  “Go down into the well / drown with me / dissolve all your defenses / unlock the fences for me” she sings as the listener has no choice but to surrender to this epic sound.

Closing out Oceano, Shannon brings an enchanting and foreboding element to her music with “Fragile Leaf Lullaby”.  Cradling the listener like a newborn babe and offering intimate lines like, “I’ll rock you oh so softly / I’ll stroke you oh so gently / I’ll treat you like a fragile leaf”, this extraordinary indie artist tells a story of all the beauty that is to come—both in the world at large and in her own musical journey.

“On her 2007 release, Oceano, Shannon Bryant offers a tender tale of incredible voyages that course from familiar waters of the heart to distant shores of the mind.” –Brian Ball, Music Editor
                            Read more...
                        

                            
Shannon merges original tunes with luscious arrangements, and top-drawer musicians, providing for an unforgettable listening experience.
                            Read more...