Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The concept of moving away from a place where you may be settled, where the richness of your life is measured in local appreciation is perhaps an idea that some cannot face for the understandable fear of not capturing the soul of it again.

That feeling is universal, it breathes at the heart of humanity’s reason to find roots, to grow and yet if the chance is taken, if you move with belief then the appreciation for the artist grows and in Shaw, a young man for whom the south coast of England was his stomping ground, moving to Merseyside and offering his wonderful voice to Merseyside maybe seen as a huge stepping stone in his life.

Shaw may be from the South of the country but his attitude on stage perfectly resounds in the ideal that audiences in Merseyside like, the get and go, the strength of purpose and the position of songs that call out to be loved, to be enjoyed and taken down the route of contributing to the world of artistic endeavour is one that not only will see him thrive but one that also endeared him to the Zanzibar audience on his debut performance in the lively city centre venue.

As the Eagles famously reflected, it is never easy being the new kid in town, there are expectations that hit you even before you have performed your first note and yet as Shaw progressed through his set, that sense of propriety was abounded and framed with completely honest intent and satisfaction.

With a set comprising of songs such as Let Him Know, Paradigm, Sharp Man, The Resentment and the wonderfully presented Easy Going Days, Shaw not only found himself fitting into the ethos of Liverpool’s musical nights but found perhaps an audience willing him to succeed, wanting to claim him as one of their own as they natural do to anyone with artistic sensibilities and a truth in their approach to lyric writing.

It is a truth that comes across beautifully in Shaw’s music, honest, sincere and frank, the tone of his voice a marvel to behold and in the end, one that captivated fully and with purpose. Merseyside has another hero from its shores and geographical position in which to relish seeing perform.

Ian D. Hall