New Train

Paul Pena

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hybrid Recordings
• ASIN: B00004Y6R1
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,584 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Paul Pena should have been a star. Maybe he would have been if this album had been released in 1973, when it was recorded. Instead, it's taken 27 years for this brilliant collection of Pena's songwriting to see air. Well, except for two of its numbers: "Jet Airliner" was such a big hit for Steve Miller it sustained the blind singer-guitarist through the lean years, and "Gonna Move" has become a favorite of R&B bands. But the best tracks are numbers like "Let's Move and Groove Together," on which Pena makes like Marvin Gaye--his husky voice working the magic of eros. Or "Cosmic Mirror," which recalls nothing less than Hendrix's "Machine Gun," testifying to Pena's brawny-toned guitar virtuosity. (He also outplays Miller's version of "Jet Airliner" with Clapton-like bends and vibrato.) If spirituals and country are your bag, Pena captures a seeker's fervor in the title track's freedom prayer and turns "Venutian Lady" into a tripped-out reflection of hippie-era Nashville. The good news is that now Pena may get his shot. He's making a new album, and this time there will be no waiting. -- Ted Drozdowski

From Rhythm Magazine
When Paul Pena released his folk-blues debut on Capitol in 1972 it garnered little attention except for praise from a few discerning critics. The Cape Cod native, born blind to parents from Cape Verde, then went on to play guitar in blues bands, including T-Bone Walker's. He later dropped out of sight, only to emerge recently as the Tuvan-style throat-singing subject of the Sundance award-winning film Genghis Blues. This follow-up album, New Train, had been produced in 1973. Here it is, a mere 28 years later, and it's at least as good as the first. Among the session's mostly autobiographical songs can be found one surprise: the original version of "Jet Airliner," a song that became a huge hit for Steve Miller in 1977. Aided by a cast that includes Ben Sidran (who also produced), Harvey Brooks, Jerry Garcia, Merle Saunders and, on one track, The Persuasions, Pena (who is now seriously ill) comes across as a major talent that time forgot. -Paul-Emile Comeau

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where has this record been all my life?, October 4, 2000

By	Glenn Fink (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This may sound funny, but I've been a fan of Paul Pena for 28 years. My father was a synthesizer player in 1972, and he toured Venezuela in a show that included Paul Pena. When Paul's debut album came out in 1973, my dad gave me his copy, and I listened to it every day for about 2 years. (I was 7 years old at the time). I wrecked the cover playing drums to it. It's a great soul-filled, bluesy folk-rock album. I have grown up with its sounds haunting me, and they still do, every day. I still have the first album, even found a second copy in a used bin in the 1980's, and I am in the middle of converting it to a CD so I can play it everywhere again (now that tape decks and turntables are getting rare). I never even knew about the existence of this unreleased second album. In fact when I ordered this, I didn't bother reading the description, and I thought it was a return to the blues for him. I knew about Jet Airliner being a hit for Steve Miller but I thought this was a long-overdue version. I am beside myself, I'm so happy there's another album from the early 70's, with guests like Jerry Garcia, Merl Saunders and the Persuasions. "Gonna Move" will rock your socks off. BUY this album, do not deny yourself Paul Pena for another day.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paul Pena just passed away - give this forgotten masterpiece a listen, October 7, 2005

By	Wolvie 1974 (Barcelona, Spain) - See all my reviews

As I was checking the music news today, I was shocked to learn that Paul Pena had died last week. Like many others, I only knew about Mr. Pena because he had written Jet Airliner, the much-loved Steve Miller Band classic.
Then in 2000 I happened to stumble upon his New Train album. I bought it out of instinct, without previously listening to any of the tracks, and five years later it sits proudly among my ten all time favorite recordings by anyone... yes it is that good.
We live in an unfair world and the record industry undoubtedly is a heartless monster - it is now and so it was more than thirty years ago, when this beautiful work was originally recorded, just to be immediately shelved due to business/management issues.
New Train contains highly inspired soul, blues, gospel and country. Pena was a tremendously gifted performer and composer - just listen to the gorgeous, uplifting Gonna Move!! Also the gospel tinged, pedal steel driven New Train and the CSN-esque Venutian Lady (both with Jerry Garcia guesting on guitar) showcase Mr. Pena's genius.
And the original bluesy Jet Airliner renders Steve Miller's version obsolete - and this comes from a SMB fan. The whole CD is a pleasure to listen, crammed with soulful, heartfelt immaculately performed tunes.
The fact that Paul Pena's life was burdened by blindness, disease and managerial mishandling makes the listening even more compelling.
May he rest in peace.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what a gift, July 19, 2006

By	scott cassin (connecticut) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anyone truly interested in and educated about rock/soul/r&b music will be glad to own this cd. Warning... it will be lost on someone who is looking for an album full of big hooks and snappy radio hits. Technology like the web and XM radio leads true music lovers into material like this which was never mainstreamed yet deserves to be heard and enjoyed. I purchased this cd after learning about Paul in Genghis Blues. As child of the 70's and big big Steve Miller fan I was shocked to learn that Paul had written Jet Airliner, one of the biggest radio hits of the 70's. Frankly the two versions are not even comparable. Steve made the song into a monster rock radio hit while the original is a 5 minute plus r&b jam. Every song on this cd is worth enjoying. His lyrics are very personal and autobiographical, his guitar playing is simply outstanding. If you have seen Genghis Blues and combine what you saw of Paul's talent and spirit with what you hear on this cd you cant help but become a fan. Bottom line, this guy should have been a star and deserved a much longer, smoother, happier ride. Rest in Peace, Paul.