PAUL CURRERI: From Long Gones to Hawkmoth

Paul Curreri

From Long Gones to Hawkmoth

© 2002 Paul Curreri (783707528724)

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(5/02) Part front-porch drawl, part freight-train muscle, punch the guitar, country blues the town back to red and then keep going...

tracks

1 Miles Run the Daffodil Down
2 Senseless As a Cuckoo
3 Blame Love
4 Bees
5 On Hopeless Love
6 Southfried Backyard Train
7 Another For Allen and Sally
8 Maria
9 Beautiful Gun and a Locketful of Honey
10 God Moves On the City
11 Hawkmoth

notes

Arriving in October of 2000, Paul Curreri quickly became a focal member of Charlottesville, Virginia's bustling acoustic music scene (voted "Best Local Solo Musician 2001" Cville Weekly). His poetic country blues - at times relaxed, at times exploding - soon set the feet moving of audience after silent audience. WTJU's Aer Stephen referred to Curreri as "a ruffled gypsy gutter cowboy ... a true life adventure - a bright new voice," and Cville Weekly music columnist, Stephen Barling, called Curreri "inventive, powerful, and unpredictable."

City Salvage Records, the independent Brooklyn-based label that published Drawings and Other Failures by painter Andy Friedman, proudly released Curreri's first studio effort, From Long Gones to Hawkmoth, in June of 2002. Curreri's songs and inspired performances have since caught the attention of a wider circle, leading to touring engagements with the likes of Kelly Joe Phelps (who would eventually produce & play on Paul's follow-up, Songs for Devon Sproule), Hot Tuna, John Koerner, David Amram, Corey Harris, Chris Smither, Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka, John Herald, Jeff Foucault, Jeff Lang, and Geoff Muldaur. "Paul Curreri gives what few other songwriters can," writes Matt Dellinger of The New Yorker. "It hits you soon and hard that you're hearing something exquisite."

* * * * *

Also available from Paul:

"Songs for Devon Sproule" (May, 2003) the sophomore effort by Paul Curreri

& "The Spirit of the Staircase," (December, 2004)

* * * * *

A FEW QUOTES FROM OTHER FOLKS:

"Curreri, a young singer-songwriter who blends his impressive facility for blues guitar and piano with an exceptional songwriting ability, brings a renewed eloquence to the medium."

- The New Yorker
April 16, 2001 issue

"...Or, pick a night, an evening with rain or mist and a shy moon, and get caught in the current of his clockwork acoustic guitar, get showered by the notes that arc off the strings like sparks. Curreri wrings bent and worried tones and hacks ringing, open-ended chords to punctuate points, or question arguments, or second emotions. It's a more lively conversation -- among himself, his guitar, his characters, his listeners -- than you get in a roomful of people."

- Mike Parisi
Music Columnist, The Hook

"It's not everyday that a musician comes along and with that first note you just know it's going to be a treat to listen to. I can honestly say that the music of Paul Curreri not only does that, but it continues to with each song, no matter how many times you've heard it. To classify him is like trying to classify the whole of the United States. He is a melting pot of Dylan, Prine, Simon, and Hurt all topped with Paul's own unique twist. I love this guy's stuff."

- K. Bartlett Shaw
Ashland Coffee and Tea


"There's a shitload of people making a living who don't have half the talent Paul Curreri does. No secret doors to walk through- he's just a great writer, a great singer, and a great guitar player- Paul's got every tool imaginable."

- Chuck Brodsky
Red House Records recording artist


"Enter Paul Curreri, the local folk scene's favorite new face. I'd been hearing a lot of good things about Curreri, and they weren't exaggerated. He's got a great style and delivery - and his songs have a "living" feel. He's inventive, powerful, and unpredictable; very uncommon traits in a solo acoustic performer. Definitely keep your ears peeled for him...

- Cripsy Duck
Cville Weekly music columnist


"Paul Curreri is as good at what he does as I
am at what I do."

- Peter Cunningham
NYC still-film artist, photographer


"Anyone who's seen Paul shock a noisy barroom into silence has experienced what it must have been like to see Dylan breaking onto the folk scene in the early '60s - though his charisma, surrealistic lyrics, and beat-angel voice are without precedent."

- Brady Earnhart
Charlottesville songwriter, JMU Poetry Professor

"Curreri cadence - talkin' to you - smilin' inside - disheveled stream of consciousness - a ruffled gypsy gutter cowboy - tattered and torn - slightly cuckoo, almost too sane - his songs paint images that wake the brain - trains, rivers, tumbleweeds, love, & lust - a true life adventure - a bright new voice."

- Aer Stephen 91.1 FM, WTJU,
Charlottesville, Virginia

"BEST LOCAL SOLO MUSICIAN 2001 -- In the words of the second of his two self-titled discs, the intended daydream has hit the street. Curreri can be just as elusive and charismatic as a 1962 Dylan... and full of himself, in a self-celebrating, fun, Whitmanesque kind of way. Plus, the well-traveled Richmond native's got rakish good looks, literary chops, and a vision of America chock full o' trains, fair maidens by rivers, and country roads. "

- Cville Weekly's "BEST OF 2001" issue

reviews

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  • author: Johnny

    Caught this guy opening up for Mason Jennings in his hometown. FANTASTIC. I was hooked three words in. He's an amazing guitarist and writes some of the most stunning and thought provoking lyrics I've heard. Buy this album.....buy all the albums.

  • BUY THIS ALBUM!
    author: Jon Hecox

    There is nothing that would steer me from promoting this album to everyone I know. Even if they don't like this sort of music I would recommend it to them. I love this album so much. God, I just don't understand how this man is not more widely known and revered in his musical genius. He pours love and brilliance out of every chord and every word of every song I've heard him play. He is simply amazing. So, please, do yourself, and the world of music a favor and BUY THIS ALBUM. You will not be disappointed.

  • Brilliant!
    author: Roisin Muldoon

    Paul Curreri, I think I'm a little bit in love with you. No kidding - this album is so textured and unique, there's no-one out there quite like Paul Curreri at the moment.

  • songs from the soul
    author: jason

    I saw Paul play the Jazz Cafe in London back in November 2005 with Kelly Joe Phelps. I had not heard of Paul Curreri at the time. His performance prompted me to purchase his albums. His music is straight from the soul. Buy his music,it's fucking great! Paul is playing a small bar in Brighton, UK tonight, my home town. Should be a good gig. C'ya!!

  • The beginning was awesome too
    author: Kristopher

    This is a superb record, and simply astounding when viewed as a debut. The occasional subtle accompaniment is very sophisticated, and Paul's phrasing is truly choice. From Long Gones to Hawkmoth is honest, masterful, concentrated, and simply a fantastic record from a very deep soul.

  • Excellent, but Songs for Devon Sproule is better...
    author: Chris G.

    This is the second Paul Curreri album we bought. We caught Paul opening for Kelly Joe Phelps and were impressed enough to buy Songs for Devon Sproule on the spot. Both CDs have excellent songwriting, but Songs for Devon Sproule has better production (and Kelly Joe on backup slide for one track). Definitely worth the money and be sure to see this guy when he comes through town!

  • author: Amos UK

    Phrases and tunes keep popping up in the most unlikely places long after I've finished listening to the music. Best of the 3 for me. Great Paul! Saw you in London, see you again.

  • This cd blows my mind
    author: Eliza

    Hurray! It is available again! This is such a great CD. A friend plays this & Paul's others constantly. I'm really happy I'll finally get to have one of my own copies of Long Gones to Hawkmoth. Brilliant musician & writer, and a brilliant performer too!

  • Important piece of work so hard to find
    author: Pete Bradford

    Having written to Paul Curreri about this record's status, I'm even more saddened. Though assured it would soon again be available, I think I recognized in his short letter a sense of financial urgency, a priority list that didn't include this record's reprinting at the top. Here I thought he was rich and famous! Such a shame, this world. This CD is hands down one of my favorite 10 on the planet (his other two are certainly in the top 20). It provides evidence of a higher power, that unique talent continues to cut through the occasionally ugly music business (I heard it, didn't I?). I hope Paul understands how deeply I feel his music, how much it means to me, how brilliant he is. I wish I made enough to refinance this piece of magic. If I were even remotely acquainted with the music business, I'd feel ashamed for allowing this fascinating artist to slip between cracks. Step up. Let's get this record back in print, for all of our sake.

  • Great guitar work with a good voice
    author: christopher

    A friend played Miles run the daffodil down, and I was like who the hell is this. Got the cd and havent taken it out of the changer for 8 months, seriously. Recently purchased his second album and I must say its not as good as this one. This has more upbeat, intricate guitar playing. My favorite would be #9 "Beautiful Gun and a Locket full of honey" Just ordered his third cd, hope its as good as this one.

  • A guitarist posessed!
    author: Jordan

    I don't think there's anything I can say that hasn't already been said about Paul. He's just spellbinding. Buy this cd!

  • a breezy ride through the countryside
    author: pete spring

    listening to this cd is the musical equivalent of a breezy afternoon ride through the virginia piedmont. i can't take it out of the car cd player.why isn't this guy national yet?he will be,get him now before the rush!

  • Who starts out better than this?
    author: Doug McClean

    I purchased this record all out of order. After owning and being transfixed by Paul Curreri's sophomore CD, I sought more and found this album, released a year prior. My elation at the discovery was eclipsed only by my reaction to the music here. "Songs for Devon Sproule," the next year's record, is rooted in this. Fans of live shows will recognize songs like "The Hawkmoth" and "Blame Love," or "Maria" or "Senseless As a Cuckoo," which stands as one of my favorite compositions by any artist. (I've heard through friends that Paul had a few demo cds prior even to this record, though none of us have been able to get our hands on one. Some of these songs are supposedly on those demos, which would be cool to hear.) This is just such beautiful work, and as much as I long to look backward in this young artist's development, the rewards of looking forward leave me wanting nothing. Paul seems to no longer be the "seed of hopeless love," but his satisfaction in life, in song, & love (see www.devonsproule.com) seem to only increase his compassion toward his talent. Congratulations to Paul for such a stellar career opener!!!

  • Better tha the 60's folk/blues scene, and I was there.
    author: R.B. Smith

    I'm a 58 year old folk/blues music freak. I was in The Village in the 60's and I have seen nothing before or since that is better than this extrodinary singer/songwriter. The CD's are superb, but it is the live performance that will snatch your heart away! I'm somehwat ambivalent about saying it, but I believe that Von Ronk's shoes can be filled now.

  • Step 1: Get Born On Fire
    author: Arnold

    Trying to capture Paul Curreri on tape must be like trying to cram the pre-built ship into the beer bottle. Now that I think about it though, Curreri does seem to pull some massive ships out've beer bottles. All I mean is that his live shows are unsurpassed and mezmorizing, balls-to-the-wall, and i almost feel sorry for his engineers. This CD, however, does something different. It whispers (beautifully). It concentrates on the craftsmanship and underlying purity of Curreri's talents. As a learned, researched, open-eared, southern DJ, I'm willing to state my humble opinion. There simply is no greater a debut record to date. This record laid the richest dynamite. His second lit the fuse. His third will probably make me bald.

  • what an inspiring discovery
    author: Austin Kuebler

    The guitar-work is other-worldly, the lyrics are masterful and overall, this record is a strong representation of what it is like to see Paul live...a spiritual spectacle

  • So subtle, so impressive
    author: Mike Searman

    Paul Curreri's "From Long Gones to Hawkmoth" bops along at such an enjoyable frequency that I occasionally forget how artistically beautiful it is. I'll be walking down the street singing one of his songs to myself, and suddenly I'll just notice the poetic merit rolling off my own tongue. The record's lyrics are just incredible, and they're woven together so seamlessly with Paul's guitarwork and ever-impressive singing. You know that favorite book you have? The one you read over and over because it's so beautiful and touches you so deeply and newly each time? Just like that. Curreri's wonderful.

  • Is flabergasting a word?
    author: Paul Wallace

    This is, without a doubt, the strongest piece of writing I've encountered in recent or unrecent memory! "A Barrage of Talent" is right (typed by a previous reviewer). This record is a barrage of perfect and original images that Curreri has weaved together for each song's purpose, a crafting he somehow makes feel effortless. He is one bright, bright light, and this record proves it, plus so much more.

  • A masterful barrage of talent
    author: Jim Lotte

    This record goes above and beyond the call of duty! Curreri's guitar playing is fantastic. His lyrics far surpass what would today be expected of a "songwriter." Taking any of the verses out of context hardly does them justice. But check this out from Hawkmoth: "Sun rise kicks the soot-black gun into its belt. Thank god it's time to rise and move about. Grounded just in daybirds and waylaid very well, by the morning sun and soul all figured out." That sounds like some wake-up call! I'd call "From Long Gones to Hawkmoth" a masterpiece if it weren't this kid's first damn album. Congratulations to anyone who has the opportunity to fall in love with it. PS. And if you're ever fortunate enough to have the opportunity to see Curreri tearing through these and other songs live, take a deep breath. You're gonna need it.

  • Refreshing...
    author: SteveO

    I saw Kelly Joe Phelps recently and Paul Curreri opened for him. This CD is every bit as good as Paul's performance that night. I am not a very big fan of folk music, the genre that Paul's music is labeled under. But, if all folk music was as good as Paul's, I'd surely be changing my mind!

  • The future looks so promising
    author: Kirsten Douglas

    HOLY COW! For years I’ve been proclaiming the likes of Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan to be the ultimate in poet/songwriters. Paul Curreri (and with his first record at that!) stands shoulder to shoulder with any of these. And then to top it off, his guitar playing is perfect: studied, considerate, tasteful, and most importantly: inspired. It is my humble opinion that this record will one day be looked back on as the first spark from a master artist. I predict future musicians gushing with pride after critics hail their own projects as “reminiscent of Paul Curreri’s ‘Long Gones to Hawkmoth.’” It’s just that good.

  • This record wipes clean the slate.
    author: Faye Albertino

    "From Long Gones to Hawkmoth" is a breathtaking and shimmering record. Each outstanding song acts as a building block born to exist in this towering and leakless wall of a project. When I think back, I can't recall to what standards I held music before encountering Paul Curreri. Everything has really changed.

  • Into The Realm Where the Woodbine Twinetth
    author: David Anastasia

    For contemporary artists, this cd, for its genre, will be hard pressed to be surpassed. There is a balanced marriage of the spoken word, and the musical sound. First, and foremost, the lyrics are spun tapestry of poetic creativeness. Now add that to an acoustic fingerpicking guitar style of the same intensity, and you have the magic of Paul Curreri. In these days of automated, recycled, techno "music", and artists, it is so totally refreashing to here the age old formula of this solo artist. The more I listen to this cd, the more it grows on me. "From Long Gones To Hawkmoth" is a complete, fluid representation of the artistry of acoustic music. You can't label it folk, you can't label it blues, there is something unique about the sound. For a first studio release, this cd sheds light on things to come from the musical world of Paul Curreri. No hype here, one only needs to listen to this cd to know they are hearing something special. The beauty of the songs will cast their spell, and you are hooked. It doesn't get better than this. This cd is the real deal. The only thing a step higher is to see this performer live, and be part of the magic that is happening in the OLd South.

  • "From Long Gones to Hawkmoth" is all good
    author: John Deshler

    Every song on this CD is great. Paul has a direct, personal, authentic delivery that hits you immediately and returns in every song. I've been trying to wear out this CD, but never get tired of it. Particular favorites are God Moves on the City and Senseless as a Cuckoo, but it's all good. And having seen him live, his I-just-spent-the-night-on-a-park-bench appearance and attitude make his music seem even more genuine. I recommend this CD to everybody...

  • To be frank: the best record I've heard in years
    author: Trevor Garner

    This record made me fish out all my old blues records. I'd read a Michigan paper that referred to Paul as such a performer. I couldn't believe my ears could have missed the joy I found in THIS record while listening to those. Eventually, I found the connection: Paul Curreri's "From Long Gones..." is a reflection of those records. It's his blues, though not "blues" in "music terms," (not about amount of bars or structure or even lyrical content), but blues in heart. This recording is the sound of a young man realizing what it feels like to be alive, almost grotesquely gifted, and in touch with himself enough to express that situation vividly and honestly, not to mention modestly. I'll tell you, it's mezmorizing. This record is first rate, and I swear, no matter how hard this man seems to look backward and in, I bet he's gonna change the future and out.

  • Trust a stranger, and buy this unbelievable record.
    author: Jon Stevenson

    Why aren't there more cds like this? I've been listening to From Long Gones to Hawkmoth every day on my way home from work for nearly a month. It's that strong. I've never seen this dude in concert, but I sure as hell plan to soon This cd is overflowing with visionary lyrics, I mean they supply the ingredients for visions, plus hearty singing, tasteful, sparse production, and a very swinging guitar beneath it all. Stop doing what you're doing right now, trust a stranger, and buy this unbelievable record.

  • Paul Curreri is a birthing mama
    author: Philip Driscoll

    I just caught Paul play in southern California. I don't know how his fingers moved so fast in the outdoor cold, but he shone brighter than the moonlight behind him. Afterward, I picked up his disc, this here "Long Gones to Hawkmoth." I put it on before bed that night, and man I was tired, but I sat up against the wall for the whole thing. It started my next day too. And the next. This isn't just a collection of songs. It's a real journey... lyrically, melodically, and cosmically. Everytime I listen to it, I feel like I've been somewhere, and somewhere I hadn't even been on the previous listen. Just like so many of the greats, this disc literally grows.

  • Absolutely amazing talent. A rare gift.
    author: Sandra Thompson

    Like another reviewer, I'm holding out on my fifth star. Not because I think Paul Curreri's next record will be better than this (I haven't heard a debut record this good since Townes Van Zandt's), but because I saw him live (Seattle, WA's Experience Music Project Museum). He left an audience there to see the great Kelly Joe Phelps breathless. That said, I can't take anything away from this recording. Occasionally, I put it on the background, and suddenly find my background has become the foreground: I can't do anything but stop what I'm doing, sit down and listen. These songs bring me back to myself. Absolutely amazing work, and I can't wait to see what he does next.

  • great CD, amazing songwriter, unique guitar player, great vocalist and lyricist
    author: Owen Roberts

    I have been listening to this CD non-stop since I got it. Paul Curreri is such a great vocalist and lyricist i find myself humming and singing the tunes everywhere I go. The one drawback is that some of the songs have other instrumentalists, which is pretty good, but I don't think they add much and take away from Curreri a little. Besides that the CD is just awesome.

  • Absolutely fantastic, INSPIRING!
    author: Thomas Crane

    I can’t believe this disc. Paul Curreri’s lyrics are better than anything I’ve heard in years, and his voice has a way of presenting them as none other than FACT. His guitar playing is also light-years ahead of what I’d expect from someone his age. According to the Montana grapevine, he’s even better live. I find that hard to believe. Regardless, From Long Gones to Hawkmoth hasn’t left my player in weeks. PS. “Hawkmoth,” the tune, made me forever look differently at waking up.

  • more than an impressive debut
    author: Cynthia Ratzinger

    From the thunderous opening chord to the playful hopskotching finale, "From Long Gones to Hawkmoth" is more than an impressive debut. A friend purchased the record for me for my birthday. The card read, "Wanna hear someone pour out his soul?" Paul Curreri seems to do more than that here. He seems to pour out his soul, squeeze his guitar, sing his heart out, and then (I imagine) try to find the breath to laugh at how much fun he's having. He's clearly studied a wide range of blues and folk guitar (isn't that the American classic, "Freight Train," at the beginning of his song "Maria"?), but it doesn't feel derivitive. He uses it! And he's clearly read his share of literature, but again, his lyrics stands as original. And no matter what anyone says, no one sings with more honesty. I don't know where this young man from Virginia learned to love his work enough to work this hard, but I'm thankful he did. I'm saving my fifth star for the next release. I got a feeling Paul Curreri's going to get better and better.

  • Get Paul Curreri back to San Francisco
    author: Bob Bionche

    Paul Curreri finally releases his first official record! "From Long Gones to Hawkmoth" is fantastic. I caught the foot-stamping Curreri perform many of these live in San Francisco this past winter. These versions, some with sparse accompaniment, are calmer, more in control. But Paul can clearly find the same intensity in that control. It doesn't surprise me. Listen closely to those guitar chops. They leave me shaking my head. Not for their difficulty (though they ain't simple), but for their taste. And his voice sounds spectacular, every groan and grumble and bark that surrounds his poetry ("Kerosene lamp as the early evening falls / I'm picking you a basket of fruit / Eat the fruit, love / Cut it into tiny pieces / I picked the fruit especially for you"). Kudos to whoever recorded this project. Buy this record. Support this unbelievable talent. Make your life better.

  • A new creative force
    author: Elam Blackman

    This is the second CD I purchased of Paul's. The first really had me hooked I couldn't take it out of the player. It was not studio quality which was fine with me. I like those raw versions. Many of the songs are included on this studio release. He omitted some of my favoirte songs, but added a few gems. Maria is sentimental, sprawling and longing. It's honest and easy to follow. Hawkmoth is another favorite of mine. It chugs along beautifully and I feel like I am peering out a window longing to run a landscape. Sometimes it feels like the songs are some kind of inside joke that I will never get. Another For Allen And Sally in particular I wonder what exactly he's gettin at? It's interesting to hear Paul laid back on Miles Run The Daffodil Down. That song hooked me when I saw him perform it, but it was much more emotionally engaging. This version is great too... don't get me wrong. I like the drums and bass on the couple tracks they appear. Great song writing. I love many of the lyrics. I think Paul will be a creative force for years t' come.

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