ALTROK Ordinals 41

Shannon McNally & Neal Casal (split EP) - Ran On Pure Lightning (Morebarn Music)
Jeff says: You remember Shannon, right? The girl that sings "Bury My Heart On the Jersey Shore"? That's her. As wonderful as the slickly produced "Jukebox Sparrows" was, this is a much more raw, immediate, "live feeling" acoustic "in-betweener" record before she gets a chance to make another "proper" album in 2003. And it's in this setting, like the live show, where she really shines. Already getting some play at 90.5 The NIGHT are the songs "Pale Moon" and "John Finch".
 
Of its eight tracks, four are Shannon's, two are her guitar player (and a fine songwriter in his own right) Neal Casal's, and there are two short instrumentals (one from pedal steel legend Greg Leisz and one from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' keyboardist Benmont Tench).
 
Hopefully some of you have had the chance to see her perform live, either solo acoustic (like at the 90.5 The NIGHT Songwriters Showcase to Benefit Brookdale's 9/11 Relief Fund in September) or with her amazing band (like opening for John Mellencamp at the PNC Bank Arts Center this summer) because that's where she's most impressive. Your next chance to do so will be on Monday November 18th at the Asbury Cafe @ The Saint in Asbury Park when she returns for a solo acoustic show to celebrate the Saint's 8th birthday. Also appearing at this will be two of our favorite local songstresses, Nicole Atkins and Virginia.
 
To pick up this new EP, go to: www.shannonmcnally.com.