Preston Shannon All In Time CD

Although regarded by some as a blues artist, Shannon is a practitioner of classic '70s-style Memphis R&B, and ALL IN TIME is the kind of greasy, soulful album that had become far too much of a rarity by the time the '90s rolled around. The blues element comes in via Shannon's guitar work, trenchant and aggressive in the manner of Albert King. His thick, powerful solos weave their way through arrangements by famed Memphis producer Willie Mitchell.

With Mitchell's horn-driven production and the steadily grooving bass lines of former Al Green sideman Leroy Hodges, ALL IN TIME can't help but evoke the spectre of Green. Shannon is his own man, though and his vocal style is far grittier and more urgent than Green's. Those enamored of energetic, electric blues will enjoy Shannon's work, as will fans of the classic Hi Records sound.

Recorded at Royal Studio, Memphis, Tennessee. Includes liner notes by Steve Hoffman.

Personnel: Preston Shannon (vocals, guitar); Thomas Bingham (guitar); Jim Spake (tenor saxophone); James Mitchell (baritone saxophone); Lester Snell (keyboards); Steve Potts (drums); Bertram Brown (background vocals).

Liner Note Author: Steve Hoffman.

Recording information: Royal Studio, Memphis, TN.

Arranger: Lester Snell.

Personnel: Preston Shannon (vocals, guitar); Lester Snell (arranger, keyboards); Thomas Bingham (guitar); Jim Spake (tenor saxophone); James Mitchell (baritone saxophone); Scott Thompson (trumpet); Jack Hall, Sr. (trombone); Leroy Hodges (bass); Steve Potts (drums); William Brown, Bertram Brown, Mashaa (background vocals).

Living Blues (5-6/99, p.56) - "...solid originals predominate....stakes his cliam as a Memphis blues axeman to be reckoned with. Of Shannon's three Bullseye albums to date, this one comes closest to hitting the target dead center."