BUY THIS NOW: Ryan Shaw
What the world needs now is another Wilson "Wicked" Pickett, an R&B party star with a lot of soul and a touch of sinister. And wouldn’t you know it, Decatur, Ga., throwback Ryan Shaw has answered that call.
On his debut disc, the newish This Is Ryan Shaw, the 26-year-old lets his backbone slip, dip and do the Watusi, venturing into the Land of 1,000 dances and bringing back a blast. It doesn’t sound forced or phony — it just sounds great.
Shaw built his voice in a church choir, and there’s definitely a touch of the almighty in his rafter-reaching wail. But more than anything, Shaw, who prefers a tight, live band to glossy modern production, wants to get you out of the doldrums and onto the dance floor. In anticipation of his Saturday show in Tampa, head to iTunes and check out Do the 45 and I Do the Jerk. You won’t be sorry — but after all that dancing, you might be sore.
Ryan Shaw, with Bishop Wayne, performs 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 at the Orpheum, Ybor City. $15. Benefits WMNF. (813) 248-9500.
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
I wholeheartedly agree, Ryan is great. And real down to earth as well. We had a sweaty night of dancing to his groove recently and it just a blast.
Posted by: Eric in Madison | October 24, 2007 at 05:15 PM