Inspired by the words of his Editor, Ken Shane launches a new column for Popdose with a declaration of principles and intent.
Ken Shane
844 Articles
Ken Shane lives in Narragansett, R.I. He is a freelance writer and far and away the oldest Popdose writer. In fact, he may be the oldest writer, period. He wants you to know that he generally does not share his colleagues' love for the music of the '80s, and he does not forgive them for loving it. (Ken passed away in November 2022. R.I.P. —Ed.)
Ken Shane
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May 21 marked the 40th anniversary of the release of Marvin Gaye’s landmark album What’s Going On. Ken Shane has an appreciation.
Ken Shane
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Soul Serenade continues the Bob Dylan 70th birthday celebration with covers of Dylan songs by legendary soul artists Etta James, and the Persuasions.
Ken Shane
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Ken Shane reflects on the first birthday of his weekly Soul Serenade column and gifts another classic soul megamix to our readers.
Ken Shane
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“Dedicated To The One I Love” is a song that has been covered many times over the years. Ken Shane thinks that a 1972 version by The Temprees was distinctive.
Ken Shane
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The Stax label released many of the seminal records in soul music history. The Stax Remasters series launches next week. We have a set for one lucky reader.
Ken Shane
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Seeing the right Facebook post at the right time led Ken Shane to a very special Internet radio show. His Saturday nights have never been the same.
Ken Shane
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A new recovered tape that had been lost for 40 years provides compelling insight into Bob Dylan’s earliest days as a songwriter and performer.
Ken Shane
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High Moon Records is having their launch party at The Roxy in LA on April 29. One lucky Popdose reader will be there, with a friend.
Ken Shane
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Arnold McCuller calls “Soon As I Get Paid” his musical autobiography. He could haven’t chosen better songs or better players to help him to tell his story.
Ken Shane
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Just when Freddie Scott decided to give up on recording and focus on songwriting, an opportunity came along to record a song that would change his life.
Ken Shane
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We’ve come to expect great songwriting from Paul Simon. Ken Shane thinks that his new album is his best in a long time, and the finest album of the year so far.
Ken Shane
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The Platters scored a number of huge hits in the ’50s before problems derailed them. Unexpectedly, they returned with a pair of indelible singles in 1966-67.
Ken Shane
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For his first album in more than ten years, Robbie Robertson recruited an all-star cast of musicians and created the most personal solo album of his career.
Ken Shane
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In 1982, Teddy Pendergrass was on top of the music world when he performed in London. A few weeks later, a tragic car accident changed everything.
Ken Shane
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One year after his death, a group of George Harrison’s friends got together to pay tribute to him. The stunning film of that event is now available on Blu-ray.
Ken Shane
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By late 1968, the Rascals string of hit singles was coming to and end, but there was still a lot of great music to be heard from the blue-eyed soul legends.
Ken Shane
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It’s a big week in Austin, and that city’s Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears have done their hometown proud with a scintillating, soulful sophomore album.
Ken Shane
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David Ackles released his masterpiece, “American Gothic,” in 1972. Critics loved it, but the public didn’t get it. Ken Shane remembers this lost classic.
Ken Shane
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Buddy Miller has assembled a veritable guitar army for his latest effort, and matched the pickers with a talented roster of singers doing classic country songs.
Ken Shane
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The Chi-Lites got together in the late ’50s, but they didn’t have their first huge hit until they released the unforgettable “Have You Seen Her” in 1971.
Ken Shane
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The great American songwriter Lucinda Williams has returned with her 10th studio album. Ken Shane thinks it’s one of the best of her storied career.
Ken Shane
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In 1973 the legendary Bay Area funk band broke out with their third album, which included some of their best-known songs. Ken Shane recalls their biggest hit.
Ken Shane
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It may be a bit too early to call them a supergroup, but according to Ken Shane, members of Dawes, Deer Tick, and Delta Spirit have made a fine debut album.
Ken Shane
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This week Ken Shane brings us a non-disco hit from one of the dance genre’s most iconic bands.
Ken Shane
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The Low Anthem’s 2009 album “Oh My God Charlie Darwin” was greeted with critical rapture. Ken Shane tells us if their new album lives up to expectations.