This is a labor of love and of pain. Hopefully it reaches your soul and grabs hold. The songs represent different times of my life and different moods and flavors of life's ways. It is the very best I could do so hopefully it is good enough for you to spend your time listening to. Sit back and enjoy. Thank you very much.
I was just informed that my songs were voted in the Best of the Best top 50 songs in 2007 on Kick Radio.
Here are some other reviews:
ThecelebrityCafe.com: Reviewer's Rating: 8
Shawn Harris - Temptation
- Temptation, from Shawn Harris, is filled with thought provoking songs with a rock vibe, and laden with profound metaphors that listeners will be gung ho to classify. Harris’s subterranean timbre might give listeners a chill as he sings powerful lyrics, but he will touch listeners to their core.
On “Memories,” what sounds like electric guitar work starts off in the intro, as Harris goes on about recapitulating romantic times gone by and a relationship that has since ceased to be. There is also pounding drum play that culminates in giving this song a pop tone, as he sadly emotes lyrics such as, “The love we know is gone…All this time we spent alone.”
“Keeping Hope Alive” begins with witty and quick guitar play that suspends in between chords. On this track, Harris sings about staying optimistic as he croons such lyrics as, “Not knowing where we’ll go…We’ll have to find the tide. We are movin’ on. We are movin’ on. We are movin’ on. We are movin’ on.” Piano play quells the melody of the song considerably, and it seems like Harris is trying to uplift listeners and tell them through song, that even though despair sets in at times, never give up on things getting better eventually.
The title track has an air of spirituality to it which is immediately manifested, as somber sounding church bells ring throughout the song. Harris sings in a whispered tone on this song, as guitar work lightens the mood, but only a tad. Harris then goes on about how the vespers are calling to him as he expounds such lyrics as, “Bells ring for me. Hear them toll. Bells that ring for me…Find my soul. Find my soul…They now toll for me.” The message of this track might depress some listeners, as they might view Harris as singing about the culmination of one’s life and the final journey to the other side. Nonetheless, Harris’s timbre is hypnotic, which goes along swimmingly with the inflection of the song.
Shawn Harris’s Temptation has rocking rhythms that sync with introspective lines. This combination makes for an album that delves into the meat and potatoes of Harris’s inner child. His emotive timbre will elicit listeners’ attention and entice them to purchase Temptation.
Performer Magazine June 2007 Review
Reviewer: Matthew S. Maynard
It’s usually a good policy to avoid judging anything simply based upon its appearance. For instance, looking at the packaging of Shawn Harris’ latest release, Temptation, one might be “tempted” to believe that it is just another contemporary Christian release complete with spiritually symbolic, earth-toned artwork, pretty melodies and positive, uplifting lyrics. This would be a logical assumption, and it would be correct — to an extent. In fact, Temptation has all of those qualities at times, but it also has so much more.
Based in Apopka, Florida, Shawn Harris has been making a name for himself in the Orlando music scene recently. Possessing a style that is usually low-key and acoustic, Harris draws a line through the sometime cookie-cutter mentality of the contemporary Christian market with dramatic, minor-key tendencies, dark harmonies and adventurous arrangements. While Temptation is definitely its own animal, it at times bears a striking resemblance to Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies. The somber tone of some of the songs, along with Harris’ deadpan, baritone delivery and droning acoustic passages on songs like the opening track, “Memories,” further justify the comparison. Tracks like “Fortune Lies Freedom” and “Keeping Hope Alive” showcase somewhat brighter arrangements and a more soulful, higher-register vocal delivery. “Don’t You Know” presents a weighty acoustic arrangement and driving rhythm reminiscent of groups like Days of the New and Tantric. Nifty arrangements and top-notch musicianship punctuate the well-conceived songs, with flamenco-style guitar solos, progressive synth passages and novel, syncopated rhythms presenting themselves as unexpected treasures throughout the disc.
With brilliant songs, commanding vocals and jaw-dropping guitar playing, Shawn Harris has produced a recording that is a compelling vehicle for his faith and message. (Self-released)
www.temptationcd.com
Rag Magazine May 2007 Review
Reviewer: Joseph Vilane
Temptation Independent Release
The music of Shawn Harris is fresh, with a unique blend of spiritual flavor.
His voice carries you to an unknown atmosphere and the music, all written by Harris himself, paint brushes his vision with spirituality and utter forgiveness. Harris is a man that has been broken and put back together again through faith and perseverance. “Memories chain my soul,” Harris recites in “Memories,” as he discovers that through his past experiences, strength can be found. The driving acoustic guitar creates perfect timing with Harris’ voice, echoing a very eerie yet uplifting vibe that will make you question what you’re feeling. The music often mimics Harris’ voice, but suddenly will take on a new Middle Eastern tone. Songs such as “Fallen From Grace” and “Keeping Hope Alive” are short in theory but manage to get their message across in minutes. This is one of those CDs that will hit you after the second or third listen. Listeners will find this effort an intriguing and innovative discovery.
Temptation is hard to pigeonhole into one particular category of music because it ventures through various styles based on Harris’ often falsetto voice and creativity of the music that’s behind it.
- Joseph Vilane
I really hope you enjoy the music so STOP READING and start enjoying :)
Shawn Harris
Read more...