Customer Reviews

Nice & Strong

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Paul Delay is a classic example of a blues front man. His big man presence on stage comes through on this disc. As a modern day harmonica player he's as good as John Popper without the gymnastics. Most importantly his music takes those things in life that bring us down and he lifts us up with his wit and keen sense of humor and makes us smile. For example on the final track he tells us about a guy that's so paranoid that when his girlfriend does nice things for him he's convinced that she must be cheating. This CD will become of part of your regular rotation, I guarentee!

I have reviewed other Paul DeLay albums here, especially "Take it From the Turnaround" a repackaging of two albums Paul made right around the time he went to prison on a Federal drug rap, though he had already begun writing his own material and straightening out his life. I've been a fan of Paul's for more than 30 years, when as a college student I used to go listen to him play on Tuesday nights at Claudia's Tavern on SE Powell Blvd. in Portland, OR.

This is a great album. Most of the songs are better than anything else he has written and this recording showcases his voice, which is a great instrument. A little raspy, full, expressive and powerful. Great harp player though he is, he is almost as good a vocalist. In fact my only complaint, and the reason I gave this record 4 rather than 5 stars, is that there is not enough harp playing here. You almost don't miss it with the quality of the vocals and the songs and the backing band, but knowing what a great harmonica player Paul is you always want to hear more of it.

When seeking more good harpists to expand my horizons as a harp player, one of the names which repeatedly turned up was Paul deLay. After several months of resisting in favor of that new Junior Wells or James Cotton album, I finally saw this and picked it up.

The music here is pretty good. deLay certainly knows how to avoid tired and true when he writes his stuff. However, the tunes here are sort of hit or miss. Some, like "Fourteen Dolars In The Bank" are great tunes you will play many times. But not all seem to work out so well and I often find myself reaching for the skip button to get on to another good track.

deLay's harp shows some definate skill, and he can make the chromatic wail. Though not my favorite contemperary harpist (William Clarke gets that award) there is no doubt deLay has his own spin to put on harp.

Overall this rates a "try before you buy" in my book. Though I was slightly dissapointed by the music, the harp playing is good and since a friend tells me this is not his best effort, I would like to hear another of his albums.