The Echo of a Song

Album Review

Ian Shaw became Britain's top young male jazz singer in the 1990s, but when The Echo of a Song was recorded in 1996, a 32-year-old Shaw was far from well-known among American jazz audiences. This CD underscores the heavy influence that both Al Jarreau and Mark Murphy have had on Shaw's phrasing, although the Englishman's heartfelt interpretations of "It Could Happen to You," "Time After Time," "I Concentrate on You" and other standards also show that he had developed an appealing personality of his own. While frequently recorded standards dominate the disc, "My Heart Is Haunted" and "Goodnight Angel" demonstrate his ability to unearth pre-rock pop gems that had been neglected in recent decades. This fine CD made it clear that Shaw was someone jazz audiences outside of England should get to know.