David Shapireau and West of Next play bold original music inspired by the classic American regional genres. Western swing, Cajun and zydeco, mambos, rumbas, waltzes, blues, Celtic and Appalachian strains, honky tonk, rock and more all arranged in a daring style coming from a jazz musician’s point of view. Celtic dance tunes and ancient ballads became old time string bands which became bluegrass incorporating jazz-like improvisation and church harmony. Marching bands became early jazz which became swing which became bop. Country and early jazz became western swing. Cajun and blues became zydeco. Country and blues became rock and roll. Gospel mixed with the blues point of view became R & B. David Shapireau has taken from the best of roots music, following in the tradition of musical shape-shifting to forge a truly new musical vision. A sound "west of next." The lyrics are as carefully composed as the instrumental details. The personal,the political,the light and the dark are explored.Sometimes satirical and witty, sometimes sorrow and loneliness are addressed with no punches pulled.The Sacramento Bee described the music as being “cut with diamond-like precision.”
Shapireau has played with, recorded with, or arranged music for Maria Muldaur, Steve Miller, Jerry Garcia, Norton Buffalo, David Grisman, Bela Fleck, Tower of Power, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Peter Rowan,Don Reno, Tony Rice, et al.
This band is like no other, but the sonic identity of the band is reminiscient of the“twin” guitar tradition of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and the Allman Brothers though more futuristic. David Watts Barton of the Capital Public Radio show Insight spoke highly of the “guitar tag team of David Shapireau & Steve Randall.” Tony Dey on drums and Paul Knutsen on bass round out the quartet. The music honors the past while twisting the great American and Celtic forms.
"Swingy,goofy,harmonic,cool!" - Bela Fleck
"Dave is a world-class guitarist. He’s toured and recorded with many famous artists. He writes original songs, in all genres — they’re accessible and extremely clever both lyrically and musically. He can play roots, rock, R&B, country, and jazz from ragtime to bebop. He can blow your mind with a Wes Montgomery guitar instrumental, play a little Beethoven on the mandolin and then pick up a banjo and play Earl Scruggs’ “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” at breakneck speed."
---Marinscope Newspapers, Marin County
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