A Portrait: The Music & Art of Shae Green
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
A Portrait: The Music & Art of Shae Green is a deeply moving tribute to a truly talented and unique human being. In reviewing this album, I felt my heart touched and moved by both the talent of this person who died before their time and the way in which he affected other people around him. Not only is the music a fitting way to honor such a first-rate lyricist and singer, but it is clear that he made a massive impact on the lives of many and will leave a great gap behind him. This review is a way to pay my own tribute to the musical beauty and love which this album exudes.
The songs which feature the lyrics written by Shae Green are a fitting way to showcase his ability with words. There's an immediacy and emotional depth to his lyrics that took hold of me right away and drew me close. He was able to convey intense feeling clearly and deeply. The way in which the guest artists who interpret his lyrics transmit those feelings is superb and does real honor to what he created.
Another aspect of A Portrait which I found affecting and compelling are the original lyrics written by artists in tribute to Shae Green. They crafted words that reached out to connect to the emotions of those who had been left bereft by this incredible person’s passing while also expressing their own emotional states and exploring issues with which they’re struggling. The way in which they bared their souls gave me a great deal of respect and appreciation.
An enormous amount of love and care was lavished on producing the tunes which were written by Shae Green and his band members. The energy of the music writing is another clear indication of how skillful Shae Green was with music and the way in which this album is able to bring his ideas to life is visceral. The sharpness and clarity of the recording and production creates music that is luscious and even more engaging because of the quality of the sound.
I also want to comment on the final track of A Portrait. The way in which it combines a wonderfully ambient and tender musical background with all of the recollections of this singular and singularly wonderful human being was truly emotional for me. Although I had never known or heard about Shae Green before, the way in which his family and friends paid tribute to him brought tears to my eyes and made me wish I had a chance to know him.
Musical Tracks Analyzed
"Shenandoah" begins with quickly tumbling synth flashing and intertwining. The drums kick rapidly and the sweeping synth line carries a dreamy melody as the bass reverberates. The sharp low end propels the music as the lambent lead synth sings with melancholy passion. Rob Rowe’s voice trembles with feeling, carrying a melody deep with need and passion. A glistening synth cries out with floating smoothness as metallic notes flash.
The chorus is full of scintillating energy while bouncing, gleaming notes dance together. The drums and bass lend an undulating quality and a synth radiates springy light as Rob Rowe’s emotive voice carries the yearning chorus while chiming notes fill the track with lush luminosity. I am touched by the way Rob Rowe captures the emotion exuded by the lyrics. The song's irrepressible dynamism draws me further in as the aching vocals carry their haunting melody. Diamond-bright, flickering notes intertwine as the unstoppable low end punches forward.
The narrator speaks of "love in disguise," adding that the song's subject doesn't realize what's happening because it's a dream come true. He adds, "I am the king and you're the prince, you need someone to love." He asks if it’s making sense that the things the other person thought were all wrong, adding, "That's why I'm here to write this song."
Now the storyteller says that Shenandoah is where the song's subject ought to be, adding, "Don't ponder here, let your heart run free." He says that "the element of love" has no disguise, so "just look deep down in those dark brown eyes."
Our narrator says that the song's subject will "hold her tight and you'll hold her near" as they can feel her love while she wipes their tears away. He says, "Give her your love and share your dreams" because she'll be there when no one else is around. He adds that "you'll feel the love that has grown" and again reminds the other person to give her their love and share their dreams.
"I will love you forever and with all of my heart" is what the storyteller pledges to the song's subject. He tells them that nothing will ever tear them apart and continues, "I know you too well, I can read you like a book." He asks them to turn around and take a look back at him. He concludes, "When you pray at night and you ask for the key, thank the Lord for your memories."
Quickly ramping up, sound rushes along with the swelling, gleaming synth that carries a rapidly pulsing and dynamic melodic line to start “My Portrait.” The drums and bass are powerful as the softly sliding notes plane in a meditative, dreamy melody while Andrea Powell's expressive vocals move with affectionate gentleness.
The low end pulses strongly as the string-like synth intertwines and caresses the listener’s ears with calming lightness. Eric C. and Andrea Powell's voices mingle into one harmonic, luscious whole as the chorus rises. A sharply glimmering synth sparkles with trembling light as the two singers harmonize with richness and depth.
The percussive low end propels the music as the two singers convey all of the deep need in the lyrics. The strings intermingle with the driving bass and punching drums, flowing with smoothness. The way in which the singers carry the emotion within the lyrics is compelling and enjoyable for me.
The storyteller says that when she's alone in her room, she sits and thinks about the song's subject and the "good times we had, the bad times we shared," along with how much she loved the other person and how much she cared.
Our narrator says that there are "so many nights that I've cried, trying to hold back the tears that I hide." She adds that when she's sad and blue, she takes out her portrait of the song's subject to look at.
Now the storyteller says that she misses the song's subject's face and touch, adding, "I miss the love 'cause you gave so much." She can hear the other person's voice in her head "echoing all around." She says that she's got no choice now because they've gone away, so all she has left is her memory of them.
The narrator concludes that she knows she'll live and pull through "as long as I have my portrait of you."
"Sympathy (Remember When)" commences as a reverberating, bell-like synth trembles while a ticking sound moves in the distance. There's a swirling, soothing background as the brightly glittering notes flash above the resonant bass. Crystal Rome's levitating voice breathes with delicate, tender feeling as it carries the diaphanous melody.
Bass thunders as the vocals drift like soft clouds. The bursting drums guide the music as Crystal Rome captures the nostalgia and wishful thinking in her lyrics while the drums continue to throb. I am charmed by the gentle emotion of the vocals as the soothing melody sails out.
There's a feeling of beautiful, melancholy memory which inhabits this music. The drums are unstoppable as the chorus rises with hopeful encouragement and the glimmering synth sparkles in the distance. Lambent notes intertwine as Crystal Rome’s wordless vocals lightly touch my ears.
Trumpeting synth flashes with energizing light while the metallic notes riffle and saxophone cries with passion and aching memory. Drums continue to bounce as Crystal Rome carries the melody on her breathy, engaging voice while the drumbeat pulsates. T. Mancuso’s sax adds a luscious sensitivity as the chorus is accented by a crystalline glow. The vocals slip past with soothing ease as the chanted chorus climbs.
The low end guides the music as the drums pulsate while the sax emotes deeply and diamantine synth flickers before the track ends.
Our narrator points out that "seasons change, time goes on" but the memories don't fade; they continue to live on. She points out that each day is the same and asks why she and the song's subject can't go back to the memories they shared of "runnin’ young and free." She doesn't want to quit and time stands still "until that day I see you" as she asks the other person to "remember when."
The storyteller looks toward the horizon of the song's subject to see "the colors of the sun," while as the shadows fade, she sees the other person's face. She says that she's blinded by their love and "heaven is shining down from above." Their brightness erases fear and all of the years to reveal "a future full of love."
Our narrator speaks of memories taking over in a "digital world, a world of wonder" that reminds her of a poster over her bed and "the records playing in my head." She asks, "Here and now below the clouds, would we do it all the same?" and wonders if there were "promises, or anything you’d change." She refers to "the beauty of rivers of love" that flow through her again as she hears the other person say each day, "remember when."
The storyteller concludes by saying, "Those are the days, they never fade. Remember when they live on and on."
Bells ring out into openness as a chanted voice echoes before "Resolute" begins. The drums throb as mechanical sounds shift in the distance and sharp-edged, angular synths vibrate through the music. The percussion is powerfully shaping as the synth pulse undulates in shadowy lines, creating dark energy.
A smoother, brighter synth carries an encouraging melody up above the thundering low end. Dave Pataconi’s deep and distinctive vocals carry hope leavened by sadness. The drums throb hard as Dave Pataconi’s beautifully ghostly voice drifts as the uplifting melody slips past. The drums continue to drive as a shining synth cries out with the melancholy-tinged, touching melody.
Fragile notes skip as the hugely pulsing drums leap again as the vocals entwine around my ears with emotive strength. Rippling notes flash as Dave Pataconi takes hold of the lyrics and delivers them with deep commitment. A gliding synth slips with tenderness as the chorus echoes. The drums continue to rebound as the lithe synth sails out. As sweeping sounds shift along with heavy bass, the song comes to an end.
The storyteller begins by saying that you're all alone, or at least you think you are. He adds that "it's not like the movies in Paradise." The narrator tells the song's subject that they're stronger than they know, so they can "fight back and gain control."
Our narrator says that the subject moves him by "being the strong tree in the deserts that you dwell." He adds that the other person is simply amazing and "constantly changing into a better version of yourself." He emphasizes that they are stronger than they think they are and that "you've got the power to withstand."
The storyteller repeats that the other person is stronger than they realize and can fight back and gain control. He adds, "pull yourself out of the hole, lost the fight but gained your soul." He continues, "ashes to ashes, dust to dust, look toward the light and who you trust."
The narrator concludes by saying, "no one can tell you where to go, now that you've gained back your control."
"Sympathy (Ode to 1988 Instrumental)" begins with the bell-like keyboard carrying the gently drifting melody as chimes shimmer. The ringing notes cry out with compelling emotion, slipping delicately. A vocal synth adds operatic tenderness as the gruff bass pulsates while swelling chords fill the background with luminosity.
The drums are active, varied and smoothly guiding as the chords slide mistily. The drum pulse moves with the dense bass to create more motion, increasing in speed and strength. A steadily oscillating synth lifts the music with increased lambency as the drum beat bursts. The background synth adds an orchestral quality as trumpeting notes gleam with aspiring liveliness. The drums dance as flickering notes are cut by laser-like sounds while the entire track exudes peaceful sensations.
An operatic vocal synth slips through the music with intense feeling, drawing me inward. The crystalline lead synth carries the melodic pattern as the hard edge to the low end continues to burst. The pulse is deep and smooth as the track evolves. The main melody climbs now, rising up to the heavens with dreamy positivity, like a foggy day pierced by sunlight before the track ends.
Conclusion
A Portrait, for me, captures the essence of a deeply skillful and talented individual who also seems to have been a deep human being who made a huge impact on the lives of everyone with whom he interacted. this tribute moved me and made me feel as if I'd missed out on knowing this person, despite never having met him in my life.
