Customer Reviews

A Carnival of Voices

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I was introduced to Ellis Paul a year ago by a friend in New Hampshire who gave me recordings of a couple of his songs, including this album's "Paris in a Day," which I loved. However it wasn't until several months later that I had a chance to really experience his music, when he came out west touring and I was able to see him perform. He put on an incredible show--I was mesmerized. And, although I hadn't planned to, I picked up this album and have been listening to it ever since. Paul displays incredible artistry, both in the delicious poetry of his lyrics and in the way he communicates them through his music. My personal favorite is "Weightless." Do yourself a favor and discover the incredible world that is the music of Ellis Paul. You won't be sorry.

This is just simply a great folk album. There are stronger songs, but each is rewarding in its own way and the album unfolds as a whole into a tremendous work of art. I must listen to this CD once a week even after owning it for years. If you are into singer-songwriters, Ellis might be the one you are overlooking. If you are familiar with John Gorka, David Wilcox, etc., Ellis Paul is much more rewarding. He is also fantastic in concert, and he is still relatively unknown enough to see him in most venues with around 150 people

My first introduction to Ellis Paul was Paris In a Day. Although I have never been to Paris, I intstantly felt like I was along for the ride. From there I bought Stories, and have been spreading the word ever since. His ability to make the listener feel his stories' emotions is a true talent. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform at a small folk festival in Elmer, NJ and it was moving to say the least. It's hard to single out one tune as my favorite, but listen to Trolley Car. I can almost feel the chill on my nose and feel a snowflake melt on my face when I hear that song. Look forward to the next release.

After hearing some samples of A Carnival of Voices from his web site, I immediately ordered all three of Ellis Paul's cds. I was not disappointed and A Carnival of Voices is his latest and best of the three,although it was a hard choice since all three are full of musical stories told in a truly unique voice that makes the listener laugh or cry and feel the whole range of emotions Ellis sings about. A short while after buying the cds I was fortunate enough to go and see him play at a local coffee house. A warm muggy night and a sparse crowd did mothing to dampen Ellis's enthusiasm for playing his music. From the beautiful haunting "Weightless" to his easy going banter with the audience, it was a memorable experience that I hope more people get to share.

This CD "A Carnival of Voices" is wonderful and another example of why Ellis Paul is such an amazing singer/song writer. I've listened to Ellis Paul for over ten years and he just improves with time. So many people I've talked to do not know his name or his music and they have certainly missed out.
Each of the songs on this CD tells a heartfelt storyand the music enhances the story.
If you purchase this CD believe me you won't be disappointed and you'll wonder why it took you so long to hear the music of this wonderful man and musician.

Ellis is one the countries finest Contemporary Folk Artists of today. Carnival of Voices once again brings us into the lives of common everyday people that Ellis brings to life with his lyrics. Paris In A Day is a wonderful singalong, and the deepness of Weightless brought me to tears.

Ellis Paul is a New England favorite son that deserves national and commercial success. This, his third and strongest disc, contains some of his finest work. Not to be missed are "Weightless", "All My Heroes Are Junkies" and "Never Lived At All", which would sound great on the radio. This guy deserves much wider recognition!!

I just love this album---> I think its my favorite album of all time--->Ellis is on overdrive with regard to the lyrics (Only "Emperial Bedroom" by Elvis Costello comes close!)
"Midnight Strikes Too Soon"--->
Cathy's hailing a cab like she's hailing a storm
unto the streets of New York City
ONce we're inside, it's a carnival ride
that brings a white knuckle kind of dizzy"
"Paris in a Day"--->A classic: "What would Marcel Marceau say?" "under the Arc we watched the sunset end
and laughed at the miles that had passed beneath us
the miles that passed beneath us
You said, "That's kilometres, baby"
but I wouldn't let it come between us"
"Trolley Car" A gem, quiet and lyrics full of prosody (keep track of those distances!)--->"Your phone rings, but it only brings your voice
on a message machine, "I'm not here, the tape is clear"
me, I'm off the hook it seems
"I called," I say, "to say `hello'
to coax you out where the snowmen grow
but you're not home, and hey, I gotta go,
it was good to hear your voice." "
"Deliver Me"--->"Delivery? she could deliver me
she broke her own commandment
thou shall not steal from me
my breath is gone
that's burglary
never trust a prophet
in a party dress"
"The Ball Is Coming Down" Haven't we all felt this way on New Years--->"It's New Year's Eve
tonight in the city they're tearing the chandeliers down
boys and girls all dressed up pretty the bartenders buying the round"
"Weightless" About Faith:--->""But Faith has no weight," she says,"Now, Doubt, now, there's the burden...
You're completely right to think you're grounded -Do you hear me?"
"All My Heroes Were Junkies": the drumming on this is awesome--->
"Jimmy came in tight leather slacks, it was hot as hell
But we were drinking Jack, his eyes were like quarters
Round, and black when he stepped under the stage lights..."
"Lay Your Wager Down"--->"Lay your wager down
Who'll be king in Tinsel Town?
`Cause all the prophets and the gypsies
on the strip in Venice Beach
Have looked me in the eye
and said, "Your dreams still lie in reach"
and who am I to doubt them
and who are you
to write these speeches?""
"Never Lived at All"---> A rocker--->"Dave's a corporate lawyer in the city of Chicago
and for fifteen years, he's had his nose to the old grindstone
poured his money in the bank to feed the beast called portfolio
Well, if time is money then success is a life alone" "When you invest in love the same will be returned" "The great American novel sits on top of Peter's kitchen table
300 pages on a town he built inside of his head"
"Self Portrait"--->"I tried to frame my own self portrait
into a three-minute one-act play
But I'm a CARNIVAL OF VOIVES"
"Change":about watching war on TV--->"Walls are crumbling
cities are burning the presidents on tv bombs are falling
the fire is rain as walls close in on me"
There a hidden track "Ghosts": Sounds like its in standard tuning!!