The First Ten Years

Shawn Mullins

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 2, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000296KQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #144,486 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to his roots, May 29, 2001

By	Aaron Blight (Westminster, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

I became a Shawn Mullins fan when I bought "Soul's Core" a couple of years ago. I liked "Soul's Core" so much that I later purchased "The First Ten Years" when it came out. I also bought "Beneath the Velvet Sun" as soon as it was released. On all of these albums, Shawn's talent as a consummate singer/songwriter is manifested.

Shawn Mullins' music consists of straight, honest lyrics and his trademark acoustic guitar, along with soaring melodies laced at times with his exquisite falsetto. The songs on this disc showcase his early work, representing a compilation of songs previously released on albums under his independent "SMG" label.

From the beginning, Shawn has been a musician who is more interested in art than in pleasing the masses. Although he achieved great success with "Soul's Core," (due mostly to one song, "Lullaby") this album is evidence that Shawn hasn't sold out to the recording industry. He has obviously maintained his emphasis on writing songs because they are good songs; he's not writing songs that are merely replicated sounds from the narrow confines of FM radio.

"The First Ten Years" is Shawn's way of telling the world that despite his huge commercial success, in his heart he is still a man and his guitar, and that is what matters most. Only a few songs on this disc have a "big band" sound ("Changes," "What is Life," and "Lately"), all of which are excellent. However, the main thrust of the songs here is acoustic, often consisting of Shawn and his guitar only, with the possible exception of other sparse instrumentation in the background.

One of my favorite songs ever is on this disc - it's called "Joshua," an acoustic toe-tapping story about a 10-year-old boy and his 65-year-old friend, Joshua, who play the guitar together. This song is a classic - one of Shawn's very best. It will make you laugh and cry.

One necessary note: if you are Mormon, you may find "Salt Lake City 1973" offensive.

In summary, I love this album. If you prefer Shawn's "big band" sound, you may be better buying one of his later albums first. If you like folk-like acoustic singer/songwriter music, you will enjoy this album.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FABULOUS! Get this CD !, January 8, 2000

By	Carol Ann....a devoted fan xoxoxoxoxox (Denton, Texas) - See all my reviews

Shawn Mullins is phenomenal. What a passionate voice! I already own Soul's Core, Better Days, Eggshells and Big Blue Sky which are all fantastic. I recently purchased The First Ten Years thinking it would simply add to my Shawn Mullins collection, but WOW! He caught me totally off guard. I LOVE IT ! You've gotta hear his 'What is Life' (written by George Harrison) and 'Changes' (written by David Bowie).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More of Shawn, August 8, 2001

By	Mac Donald (Azusa, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This compliation album proves why Shawn Mullins is such a tremendous artist. With 13 brilliantly written songs, "The First Ten Years" is a journey, and Mullins does not hestiate to expose himself more than ever. He shows us his fears, his experiences, his tears, and his happiness - this album traces the early days, and one can hear the evolution of his music as the years pass by.

I would reccomend this album only to those who are already familar with his music. (To those who do not recognize his voice, this album may seem scattered for it does not have one sound, for it traces the entire career of Shawn and his lyrics have changed and his perspectives are different). But to those who already love his music, this album is one of the best. One can hear all of the stages that he has gone through, and one can travel along with him as he endures through so much. It showcases his early days ("Evolution Man" and "This Time/Last Time") and stumbles through other periods ("Drumming Clown" and "Joshua"). His guitar and voice never fade while he keeps the audience involed with what he is experiencing as an artist, a lover, a human. A truly trained ear can hear and understand what has happened in the artists' career.

This album continues to showcase Mullins' voice - it is warm and embracing and soothing and comfortable. The richness in his voice has not faded with the years, and it has become more involved with his music. The reason I give this album four stars is because it fails to have only one sound, and that is because it is an album that traces his career. Other albums of his have one sound and one feeling ("Soul's Core" and "Eggshells"), but with this album, a listener can hear several different sounds. This is no reason, however, to not invest in the album.

I love all of his music, and I hope that more people would recognize his amazing ability to classify feelings/emotions. Go buy something of Shawn's - you will not regret it.