August 19, 2011 – Shannon the Artist, well known for her Beatles artwork, is coming out of the closet---with her music that is. For many years Beatles fans have known her as simply “SHANNON” - the one who does all the beautiful paintings of the Beatles. But now Shannon MacDonald's musical prowess is coming to the surface after years of “hiding her love away” and she is coming out with a CD entitled Red Pyramids and Blue Sky. Her cover version of John Lennon’s Tomorrow Never Knows is already released and shooting up the ReverbNation charts.
I spoke to Shannon on the phone today, currently in Utah working on her John Lennon painting for the Cavern. I asked her about the album and the Lennon single:
LE: When will Red Pyramids and Blue Sky will be released.
SHANNON: It will be out before the end of the year. Most of it is done, actually—I'm just tweaking it now, mixing it and that kind of thing, the finishing touches. I’m doing my best to get it finished in between all the travel engagements. I’m in Utah now, and then I’m headed to Liverpool for Beatle Week, so you know how it goes!
LE: How many songs are on the album?
SHANNON: There are just ten. That’s because they’re like seven minutes each. That’s the way my music is. It’s like film score music….not like individual distinct tracks. They segue into each other, almost like a rock opera, or the Beatles LOVE CD. There are fade-ins and outs, sound effects. It's spiritual and lovely.”
LE: Will Tomorrow Never Knows be on the album?
SHANNON: Yes. I think it’s on iTunes now too (Yes it is--click here)—right now it’s on ReverbNation and doing really well there, which I couldn’t be happier about! This is a new world for me, I was really blown away by how it’s doing. I'm excited for everyone to hear it.
LE: I noticed on your website, some cover art with the name ‘Shannon’s B.A.M.F.s’ (the meaning of which I can’t print) What's that all about?
SHANNON: (laughs) Let’s just say that the musicians who are working with me are the industry leaders---the kick-ass guys! You know what I’m saying. Denny Laine, Dennis Ferrante, Steve Holley...And they loved the name--cuz that's what they are..."
LE: What other songs are on the album--is there a track list?
SHANNON: One of the songs on the album is called Fire Crimson and Rose; it’s about Liverpool, the Mersey-side. It’s about a dock worker in Liverpool, and he dies. His wife goes to Brighton and leaves him roses. It’s a really touching and beautiful song. Yes I will get you the track list.” (see below)
Song list for RED PYRAMIDS and BLUE SKY...
- Fire Crimson Rose (A Mersey Tale) Special Guests Denny Laine and Steve Holley
- Southern Pacific Train Special Guest Steve Holley
- I Wanna Be Alone
- F%*k You, Alright!
- Without A Trace Special Guests Laurence Juber and Steve Holley
- Tomorrow Never Knows Special Guests: Shannon’s B.A.M.F.s (Steve Holley, Jon Ihle, Jimmy Mack, and Lou Pucci)
- Bad 2 The Bone (She’s a Bad Bad Boy) Special Guests: Shannon’s B.A.M.F.s (Steve Holley, Jon Ihle, Jimmy Mack, and Lou Pucci)
- Sunday (Run Run Away)
- Board of Prostitution
- Goodbye To Judy Garland
- BONUS TRACK on Limited Edition - Turn Around in Tokyo (LIVE) Special Guest: Shannon’s B.A.M.F.s (Steve Holley, Jon Ihle, Jimmy Mack, and Lou Pucci)
LE: I have always thought of you as a painter. When did you start doing music?
SHANNON: Shelley I’ve been doing this since the 80s. Music is really my #1 love. But I’ve been laying low with it because you know how the music industry is. It’s dog-eat-dog, and there’s no money. In the end, you have to put food on the table--and my art does. So that’s where I’ve put my efforts. But now it’s time to expand and get my music out, too. It's where my heart is."
Commentary and background of Shannon's version of Tomorrow Never Knows:
This is an incredible 7-minute cover version of John Lennon’s Tomorrow Never Knows. At ReverbNation you can also listen to three additional songs from her upcoming CD: Stay Dynamite, Without a Trace (demo), and Not 4 Keeps.
It is fascinating, with an ethereal and spiritual sound that Lennon would have approved of in an instant; Shamans and mystics will add it to their Om collection of devotional music. Imagine this song with soft orchestral effects, double-drumming (in the same room, bouncing off each other,) an Entwistle-esque bass, and harmonies like Queen.....along with some Pink Floyd...
SHANNON does lead vocal, in an ethereal, whispery style that is perfect for the song, honoring Lennon's intention for “Tibetan monks chanting”; she also is on lead guitar, keyboards and backing vocals, as well as the producer/arranger.
The leading musicians:
Guitar/backing vocals: Lou Pucci
Drums: Steve Holley, Jon Ihle
E-bow guitar: Jimmy Mack
Backing vocals – Tony Anzivino
Drummer Steve Holley used Paul McCartney and Wings’ Rockestra Theme style with Jon Ihle to get a double “drum chants” sound. Jimmy Mack used his “E-bow” (Electronic Bow) for rhythm track, with a “Jimmy Page” style “drippy” guitar overdubbing it. (See much more detail on this at the music section of her website.) Also helping Shannon on her CD is Denny Laine of Wings and Dennis Ferrante (Lennon engineer.)
UPCOING AND RECENT PERFORMANCES
SHANNON said she will perform at a solo years Beatles concert while in Liverpool for International Beatles Week next week, at the Liverpool Philharmonic. “I’ve been asked to be in three songs, one of them is Live and Let Die. So I’m looking forward to that, it’s so cool!”
Shannon performed at the National Rock Con event last summer in New Jersey, with notable musicians including Grammy winner Dennis Ferrante (engineer for John Lennon).
Lennon Remembered Tribute: She also performed on stage at the Liverpool Echo Arena for a magical tribute to John Lennon’s 30th anniversary of his passing on December 9, 2010. (See You Tube of Come Together performance) Mark McGann & Pepperland were joined on stage by Shannon, The Quarrymen (original group that John Lennon formed), Tony Sheridan, Marcus Cahill, The Shakers, The Session, Alan White (drummer for Lennon/Harrison, and Yes), Joey Molland (Badfinger) & the Dovedale School Choir.
ARTWORK
Shannon is currently working on her commissioned painting of the Beatles for the Cavern Club in Utah at the Ultimate Air Affair, and will be off to Liverpool soon to unveil the painting. Read our update here on the details of the unveiling.
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