Shannon McNally

The best American songwriters create tunes that transcend time and space, with lyrics that intimately connect with listeners far and wide. It’s an art, but it’s also a craft, one that often takes years to hone. Sometimes, though, an artist emerges fully formed, with the chops and tunes of a sage old vet; Shannon McNally, is one of those artists. Jukebox Sparrows is an utterly fearless 11-song debut with a heart at its center that beats with passion and candor.

McNally grew up on Long Island’s working class south shore. An anthropology major in college, she embarked on her own very personal study of human nature, crafting keenly observed songs that cut to the quick of her characters’ psyches. Plying her trade at coffeehouses and clubs, she came upon kindred spirits who sent her music to a small publishing company, which in turn brought her to the attention of A&R executive, Perry Watts-Russell (Radiohead, Everclear, Dandy Warhols), at Capitol Records. McNally soon found herself heading to California to record an EP (Bolder Than Paradise, released in 2000) and her full-length debut, Jukebox Sparrows.

The dreamy, soulful roadmap of Jukebox Sparrows is bolstered by a slew of McNally’s idols — legendary musicians like James Gadson (Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye), Jim Keltner (John Lennon, Ry Cooder), Bob Glaub (Linda Rondstadt, B.B. King), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell, Dave Alvin) and horn arranger Daryl Leonard (Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahall). Produced by Ron Aniello and mixed by Jim Scott, McNally’s gritty blend of blues, R&B, folk and rock walks a road that is uniquely her own.

The album’s title is a nod to her lifelong romance with records, from Emmylou Harris to The Band, PJ Harvey to Nina Simone. “My dad would play me this Leadbelly record that had ‘Goodnight Irene’ and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot’ on it,” she remembers. “I’ve never gotten the sound of his voice out of my head.”

While Shannon believes that life is enough of a story and what you take from it is up to you, she was persuaded to share what she had in mind as she wrote the songs that became Jukebox Sparrows…

“Down and Dirty”
This was the first song we attempted in the studio. Bob’s bassline is the backbone of the song. I wanted to evoke a Cajun Moon and well…

“I’ll Always Be Around”
I wrote this one with Kevin Hunter. We were sitting in his backyard beneath a strange fruit tree. I was thinking about a man I used to know and the ancientness of everything. We wrote it in about an hour and went in and banged out a demo. For all its separation I wanted the song to flow – salve like.

“Bitterblue”
Ron Aniello, my producer, was playing this little piano motif, we had some mics set up and I just sang. The lyric imagery wrote itself on the spot. The bridge is the moment of truth and Sodom and Gomorra is a mall parking lot.

“Now That I Know”
I’ll be your ground if you be my muse, you follow me and I’ll follow you, yes, I’ll follow you. It’s the Yellow Brick Road. Love is like a Maypole. This song was produced by Andrew Slater and Ron Aniello and mixed by Mike Shipley.

“It Ain’t Easy Being Green”
Ralph Nader, Jim Hensen and Jane Goodall. One-take vocal – but everything’s easier to sing with James Gadson playing with you. The background vocals are my favorite part.

“It Could’ve Been Me”
True. Or you. True as well. The song speaks for itself.

“Colorado”
Maybe I watch too many Paul Newman movies. Maybe it was the kick drum, maybe both. This song is about a pointed moment of fight or flee.

“Bolder Than Paradise”
The song is about the raw power and beauty of the earth despite man’s incessant fear and hatred of it. But, the track is all about Jim’s shaker part.

“Start All Over”
This is my favorite song to sing. It was my favorite to record. The pedal steel is the magic. I especially identify with and love this girl from Minnesota with her far away thoughts and wounded innocence.

“Bury My Heart on the Jersey Shore”
Live to tape. The Sha La La’s. The backwards guitar solo at the end. Wounded Knee. Mom and dad.

“Jukebox Sparrows”For George – a true jukebox sparrow.