The following review is from the January/February 2009 issue of Elmore Magazine. Elmore magazine is a national music magazine based in New York City.  They are dedicated to saving American music, and cover American music with a history: roots, blues, jazz, country and rock 'n' roll.

KAPLAN-SHAW

Mojo Cafe

On their new release, Mojo Cafe, upstate New York-based band Kaplan-Shaw continue to perform acoustic music that's rooted in the blues but spiced up with touches of rock, jazz, and even a little bluegrass. Like their 2007 debut, No Stranger to the Blues, Mojo Cafe features all original compositions with songwriting duties split between guitar/dobro player Mike Shaw and bassist Lou Kaplan. On their latest outing, Kaplan-Shaw's songwriting and musicianship have both grown in depth and variety.

"Raised by Wolves," "Too Complicated," and "She Made Me Choose" are all tracks that showcase Kaplan's talent for writing sharp, tongue-in-cheek lyrics about frustrating relationships. The latter, an up-tempo acoustic rocker, also features some fine Chuck Berry-inspired guitar work from Shaw. The powerful "Headline Blues" features politically charged lyrics sung over an intense minor key groove, buffed up by guest saxophonist Brian Dobbie. Shaw also shines on this tune, stretching out with jazz-inflected guitar leads. On the beautiful ballad "I Won't Let You Down," easily one of the most stirring performances on Mojo Cafe, tender lyrics mesh beautifully with Shaw's delicate mandolin playing and a lovely fiddle solo from guest Peter McDonald. The disc closes with "Shawdawg Rag," an upbeat, bluegrass-flavored instrumental propelled by Shaw's energetic dobro playing and another excellent McDonald solo.

With their wise lyrics and well-honed instrumental chops, Kaplan-Shaw has once again produced a recording that should bring joy to all fans of acoustic roots music. Let's hope that this group continues to breathe life into the contemporary acoustic music scene for a long time to come.

~Jon Kleinman

The team of Lou Kaplan and Mike Shaw again have breathed life into acoustic blues.

Kaplan and Shaw share the string, vocal, and writing duties. Add drummer Al Macomber to the mix, and you've got a 13-song CD that ably demonstrates their talent and waves a flag for their passion.

They tackle modern love and old-time betrayal with equal enthusiasm. On the opening cut, "Raised By Wolves," Kaplan raises the question, "Were you raised by wolves to have a bark and bite?"

On "A Mile On Down The Road," Shaw proclaims, "a fishing hole and a brown eyed girl... nothing sweeter in this whole world."

Together they demonstrate joyful party chops on "Everybody Let's Dance," an ominous Southern rock feel on "Dancin' With The Devil," and fiddle fun - thanks to special guest Peter Mc Donald - on the happy instrumental "Shawdawg Rag."

~Mark Bialczak

Hi friends,

As you may know, the release of our second album Mojo Cafe has been delayed several times over the past few months. Consequently, I thought a word of explaination would be appropriate.

To begin with, the mixing and mastering process has been laborious, to say the least. We've mixed Mojo Cafe three times in an effort to deliver the maximum listening experience to our fans and friends. I'm happy to say that we've finally struck that elusive balance between intimate acoustic nuance and barrelhouse inspired raucousness!

As I write this, we're still ironing out some details concerning the graphics. Our graphics designer, webmaster, and longtime friend Jim Reinhardt is working with the burn house to correct these anomalies... and I'm confident that the presses will roll by week's end.

Lastly, there has been some concern expressed by friends that in calling the album Mojo Cafe we've invited some form of Voodoo curse to befall the project! While I want to respect everyone's spiritual belief systems, I choose not to subscribe to this theory. The title is simply a reflection of our affinity for blues history, mythology, and culture.

See you at the gig,

Lou

Five questions with Lou Kaplan of Kaplan-Shaw:

Q: What is your favorite song to play?

A: "Jack Daniels, the Blues, and Me." It's an original song from our first album. Kind of a slow, spooky, moody, atmospheric piece.

Q: What is the first concert you remember seeing?

A: Blue Oyster Cult at Broome County Arena in 1977 or 1978.

Q: What is your favorite album?

A: The Robert Johnson boxed set would have to be right up there.

Q: What are the band's biggest influences?

A: The Delta blues guys from the '20s and '30s, the Chicago blues guys from the '50s, and the contemporary blues guys like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Buddy Guy.

Q: Where have you always wanted to play, but never got the chance to?

A: B.B. King's in New York City.

David Wilcox ~ Auburn Citizen

SHAW THING

Acoustic blues trio finds critical success with songwriting

For all the success Kaplan-Shaw enjoys, the band hopes other musicians will enjoy it many times more.

Lou Kaplan, who sings and plays acoustic bass, acoustic guitar, and dobro in the acoustic blues band, says songwriting is their express goal. They hope their material will be noticed and re-recorded by high profile musicians.

When Kaplan, guitarist and fellow songwriter Mike Shaw and drummer Al Macomber came together a few years ago, they initially imagined their group as a relaxed project. But their history in rock bands soon made itself known on their stage.

"Even though it's acoustic blues, it's got a lot of teeth," Kaplan said.

The palpable energy in Kaplan-Shaw's music was noticed in this month's Elmore Magazine in a glowing review of the group's first album, "No Stranger To The Blues." Their second, "Mojo Cafe," will be released later this month.

Both albums will be available at the band's live shows, which carry over their recordings' vigor with engaged, but not rowdy audiences.

"They're a better behaved crowd than we've been used to in the past," Kaplan laughed. "Usually it's Boomers, but I'm consistently surprised by the fact that a lot of young people get it too."

David Wilcox ~ Auburn Citizen

Hi friends,

I thought I'd drop a quick line to update you on all things K-S. First of all, our forthcoming CD "Mojo Cafe" is complete and is currently being mastered at Electric Wilburland in Newfield, N.Y. This puts the time frame for release at mid-May. I know it's been a long haul, but this is an album that has been meticulously crafted during every stage of production. Remember that we hold you, the listener, in the highest regard... and consequently feel obligated to bring our "A" game with each K-S CD release and live performance!

We are currently updating our web sites www.kaplan-shaw.com and www.myspace.com/kaplanshawacousticblues to include downloadable MP3 versions of our CDs "No Stranger To The Blues" and "Mojo Cafe." As it turns out, navigating this technology is only slightly more difficult than intergalactic space travel, so bear with us... we'll have it up and running in a couple days!

Also of interest is an upcoming article/review of our first CD "No Stranger To The Blues" in Elmore Magazine. Elmore Magazine is a national music magazine based in New York City. Elmore Magazine is dedicated to saving American music, and covers American music with a history: roots, blues, jazz, country, and rock 'n' roll. We consider it an honor to be recognized and critiqued by such a fine publication! For more on Elmore Magazine, please go to www.elmoremagazine.com. 

Finally, we are currently booking live shows into the summer. The updated K-S show features original songs from both of our CDs, as well as many new cover songs (Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, etc.). In addition, we've decided to stand during our performances, which has resulted in more energy, more entertainment value, and MORE FUN for the band and the audience alike!

See you at the gig,

Lou

Hi Friends,

The final edits for the songs comprising our forthcoming CD "Mojo Cafe" are complete! All that’s left to do is the mastering and pressing, so I’ll go out on a limb and estimate that the CD will be available in about a month’s time. As a preview of sorts, I thought I’d offer a personal commentary on each song...

Hi friends,

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of the record company suits whining that their profits are dwindling (down 19% last year!). They invariably blame the kids for illegally downloading, ripping copies, etc. This is obviously bullshit, as back in the day, everyone I knew pirated albums to tapes, and shared music with friends. This only served to generate interest in music... which translated to grass roots followings and future sales of albums, concert tickets, tee shirts, etc.

It's high time the music industry took a long hard look at itself and understood that it's their own business practices, marketing strategies, and boundless greed that's to blame for their declining fortunes. Consider this...

1) The music industry has spent the last 20 years signing "artists" who can't sing, play, or write. Personally, I'm offended when these people gyrate across my T.V. screen lip synching to some formulaic drivel. Why perpetuate this charade when the world is full of real singers, musicians, and songwriters worthy of recording contracts, management,  financial backing, and exposure?

2) Corporate control of radio programming insures that people only hear a fraction of the new music being produced. Disc jockeys should be able to turn people on to the great music they're constantly exposed to! This worked to everyone's advantage in the '60s and '70s... why not now?

3) High ticket prices have turned many away from attending shows. Do we really need tractor trailers full of special effects to enjoy live music? It's this mentality that is turning music from a personal experience to a computer download.

4) MTV and VH1 no longer program music... just reality shows.

5) The biggest retailers of CDs are Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. In other words, if your band is not signed to a high profile record company who is in bed with these corporate entities, you're screwed! Sadly, so is the consumer... as these stores have severely limited stock and almost no jazz, blues, folk, classical, new age, bluegrass, celtic, reggae, etc.

6) High CD prices... 'nuff said.

In my humble opinion, only when record companies sign real bands, treat them fairly, promote them properly, loosen their corporate stranglehold on marketing, and charge the consumer fair market value... will the industry thrive.

See you at the gig,

Lou