Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7.5/10
The still of the night is such that the attraction of a solo acoustic guitarist will always sound beautiful, mournful and heart stopping no matter the situation they may find themselves in. Yet somehow the attraction is enhanced with the feeling of close August heat parading itself in the shower of loose dripping sweat and the build up of energy being worked up in readiness for the electric section of the evening.
The acoustic attraction of Andrew Shaw is unmistakable, his playing succinct and full of bold flavours, resonating highs that capture the ear but never once betraying the softness in his voice, the playful spectacle that hides with purpose the determined and the resolute. It is the sound of a great introduction to a night of music at Studio 2, in which the heat of the day has burned up the ability to do anything but sit and listen with dedication to the music on offer as part of Cal Ruddy’s new E.P. launch night.
The might of the acoustic warrior when surrounded by the electric and the groove of the stimulating pulse is one that should never be ignored, in their own passion they rise in status because they are sometimes overlooked in such evenings and yet for Andrew Shaw, the music certainly captured the evening’s start well and with a posture befitting any musician worth their salt.
It was with passion that Andrew Shaw excelled and in songs such as Mr. Magpie, All At Sea and a very decent cover of The Rolling Stones track Dead Flowers, the musician rose to the challenge of the electrifying night to come and laid down a trial of his own to those that followed, one that was interestingly placed and one that was full of acoustic guitar rapture. Not often enough does an acoustic set bleed perfectly into the full throttle of three exuberant band sets but in Mr. Shaw, the trial and tribulations of the day were met head on and unquestionably enjoyed by those in attendance of the young acoustic player.
A cracking start to a brilliant night, the weekend can often hang its head in shame that it doesn’t have the appeal of such nights on offer.
Ian D. Hall