Steve Shaw - Lay This Burden Down

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 27 / 11 / 2006

---

Review

Steve Shaw fronted and recorded two albums with Freeze The Hopper back in the late 90's. Following on from the release of ‘Lay This Burden Down’, his debut solo album, Shaw has been touring the States again, taking in the pubs, bookstores and cafes. But for most of us this album will be the first time we have heard Shaw. The album is 20 songs long, a full 68 minutes of melodic and uplifting music which is simply breathtaking. From the opening blast of ‘She Lives’ Shaw pushes all the right buttons for all of us who love uncomplicated pop music, well played and produced and full of tunes which never leave you. For once the press release, in naming the Beatles as a comparison, has it right. Yep, it’s that good. The first impression is of a Beatles album without Ringo’s songs. Without the annoying music hall influences, with just all the good stuff. That said, it is strange then that there are no traces of either Lennon or McCartney in Shaw’s vocals. At times maybe a little of Harrison creeps in and that is never a bad thing. The same press release mentions Wilco, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. While the Dylan and Young comparisons are a little way off mark sonically, with his ability to pen thought provoking lyrics Shaw could well be labelled with those two major artists. There is no denying that this is a brilliant mix of folk-rock, Americana and the British invasion of the early 60's. Shaw believes in the power of music and on this showing he certainly makes a good case for that belief. The album is simply outstanding. It’s pointless trying to pick a highlight, and there is no filler even though the album runs for those 68 minutes. How many albums go that length of time yet still demand a second listen immediately without having to use the ‘next’ function on the CD player? Shaw plays guitars, bass, mandolin, piano and banjo on the album and he is joined by his band, 88isabella, which is Roger Mitchell also on guitars and Stacie Mitchell who handles flute, oboe and adds some wonderful vocals which really do take Shaw’s music to another level. Shaw augments this core of musicians with a handful of expertly picked players including Diana Starr who, apart from playing the piano, also adds her excellent backing vocals to a number of songs. Shaw’s vocals lend themselves to female back-up; if you can get past the chorus of ‘How It Goes’ and believe me, it’s hard to get that song out of your head, pay attention to Starr’s backing vocals. They really are special. That said I wouldn’t want to take any praise away from Mitchell’s vocals, on ‘A Time For Need’ which is where those Dylan comparisons come from. Not only does Mitchell almost steal the show vocally her haunting flute adds texture and atmosphere to the song. There’s warmth to all these songs, despite being at odds with the lyrics at times, and that’s due to Shaw’s vocal prowess and the production by Shaw and Ron Sallee. In a year which has seen a number of really good albums from both new and established artists Shaw has made his mark. There can’t be any music lovers who have heard this album who haven’t been touched by Shaw’s musical vision. It would be good to know if Shaw has been stockpiling these songs; there aren’t many albums containing 20 songs of such a high standard. This is simply an album to love, one that will register from the first listen and which will still be turning up new surprises on the 20th play. It’s outstanding and like nothing else released this year.

Track Listing:-

1 She Lives
2 If I Had to Fall
3 This Is God
4 Melancholy Blue
5 Let It Be High
6 How It Goes
7 Red Letter Day
8 How Beautiful
9 A Time for Need
10 So This Is Me
11 Truth
12 New
13 Tin Man
14 Living in a Box
15 A Strangest Point of View
16 Something Here
17 Leaving Alexandria
18 Slow Fade
19 Trap Door
20 Sons of Solomon

Band Links:-

https://www.sonicbids.com/band/stevesh