10.12.08 | FLY - Global Music Culture
"A DEBUT ALBUM INSPIRED BY A SOLO JOURNEY INTO THE DESERT WILDERNESS SOME YEARS AGO, JOHN SHANNON IS THE AMERICAN MYSTIC MODERN FOLK SINGER, SONGWRITER, VIRTUOSO ACOUSTIC GUITARIST YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR."

Read Gary Hectic's full review, FLY- Global Music Culture, by clicking the link

06.02.08 | Record Collector
"In concert, it was clear that Shannon has laid aside his jazz chops and discovered a minimalist, folk-like means of musical expression well-suited to his esoteric, mystical musings. His lyrics - using myths and metaphors - might seem impenetrable to the uninitiated, but there's no doubting the potency of the music, as Butterfly, Lion's Mane and Forgiveness, a plaintive ode of redemption, vividly illustrated."

Read Charles Waring's full review, Record Collector, Serious About Music in the UK, by clicking the link

05.21.08 | Le Monde
"Suspended guitar arpeggios and an airy voice. Somewhere between John Martyn and Nick Drake, this 28-year-old American songwriter delivers a hypnotic and timeless premiere album."

05.20.08 | Les Inrockuptibles - full page feature!
"Far from the traditional circuits of the majors, John Shannon offers a sumptuous disk of uncluttered folk, making the sky the most beautiful place on earth. ... From 'Butterfly' to 'Somewhere,' the album speaks about the sky as it draws this American Mystic to create his impressive harmonies. ... The album that gathers up all these songs deserves to be at the top of the charts."
...read full article by clicking the link (in French)

05.16.08 | blogotheque!
i am excited to have released live footage of my music from the streets of Venice on the wonderful and visionary paris website blogotheque.net where so many great artists of today are performing °take away shows°

please check it out

05.10.08 | WOM - World of Music
"Songs as pure and unfiltered were only known long ago from American folk-heroes like Pete Seeger. Great feeling." click for full article (German)

04.15.08 | eMusic Review
American Mystic is the solo debut LP from John Shannon, leader of the instrumental group Waking Vision and former electric guitarist for psychedelic Sufi trance rocker Haale. It's a stripped-down, ethereal set: just an acoustic guitar and Shannon's whispered, barely-treated vocals. The track titles give some insight into Shannon's nature-first brand of mysticism ("Golden Eagle," "Butterfly," "Lion's Mane"), while the music itself slides neatly next to other 21st century hushed folksters like Damien Rice. An impressive and stately debut.