PAUL CURRERI: Are You Going To Paul Curreri

Paul Curreri

Are You Going To Paul Curreri

© 2006 Paul Curreri (678277122420)

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"At once spontaneous and poetic, twisting guitar parts..." Independent UK. Hurrah, the fourth album from the 30-year-old from Charlottesville, Virginia.

tracks

1 Introduction
2 Senseless As A Cuckoo
3 The Island Drag
4 Azalea
5 The Heavy Deal
6 Maria
7 Come Back Baby
8 Hawkmoth
9 The Party At The House
10 Bees
11 Greenville
12 If Your Work Is Shouting
13 Overboard
14 On Hopeless Love

notes

FROM AMERICANA-UK: "FIRST ELEC. OFFERING FROM VA NATIVE LEAVES A WARM GLOW... It's the fourth album for Paul Curreri, and he’s all plugged in and raring to go. Recorded live in Charlottesville, Virginia, Curreri’s home state, this is impressive stuff for sure. Joined by a couple of the town’s notable jazz musicians, we are treated to twelve Curreri originals and one Duke Ellington cover (“Azalea”), all of which excite, enthrall, and entertain in equal measure.

A complicated paradox, Curreri, on the one hand plays with a confident swagger and nonchalant ease that borders on arrogance. Yet unravel these complex rhythms and delicate melodies, and at their core lies a fragile tunesmith with heart on his sleeve, just happy in his own heady world of old-time jazz and stark country blues.

A storyteller at heart, and one of those rare performers able to intoxicate an audience at will, we get to experience both here. “The Island Drag,” a new track bears all the hallmarks of a Curreri gem complete with slow burning spiral guitar and cunning lyrical wordplay. “Hawkmoth” can be filed under “inspired country blues” whilst Ellington’s “Azelea” sounds like it was penned yesterday by Curreri himself.

A regular visitor to these shores Curreri is an awesome live performer and one not to be missed next time around. For the time being this will more than suffice. 'Are You Going To Paul Curreri?' - yes Sir, you bet!"


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Paul Curreri, the thirty-year-old guitarist and songwriter from Virginia, unveils his fourth album, Are You Going To Paul Curreri, this March on Brooklyn’s City Salvage Records.

“Hallelujah in a shoebox, y’know? Charlottesville, Virginia! It felt good to lay this down at home,” Curreri says. “My wife was there and everything.” Having released three previous records to international acclaim, it is perhaps Curreri’s spirited live efforts that continue to most captivate audiences and critics alike. “At once spontaneous and poetic, twisting guitar parts, and shuffling rhythmic patterns. Playing unpredictably, altering his phrasing, his routines thankfully haven't been hammered into regular shape." – The Independent (UK)

Are You Going To Paul Curreri, recorded in a single evening in late January, finds Curreri in fantastic form. Backed by two of Charlottesville, Virginia’s most versatile jazz musicians – Randall Pharr on electric bass, and Spencer Lathrop on drums – Curreri proves he’s perhaps even more instinctive & emotive on the telecaster than his usual touring instrument of choice: an HD-28 Martin acoustic. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, ‘going electric.’ A friend suggested I call the record ‘Judith!,’” he laughs. “What can I tell you? It’s all I play at home.”

It shows. Older favorites, such as 2003’s already rollicking “If Your Work Is Shouting,” (Songs for Devon Sproule, produced by Rykodisc recording artist, Kelly Joe Phelps) are here heroically defibrillated through the roof. With guitar bending and Lathrop’s drums racing rockabilly, Curreri sings, “If your work is shouting / From sun up to sun down / Take care in time / A shouter you’ll become.” Sonically building and continually inventing, the piece dares one to stop for breath.

“The Island Drag,” one of the album’s three new songs, features a spooky guitar hook that underlies a claustrophobic and ferocious tale of limited physical and musical square footage in a foreign land. “God have make the sky not like the island: / Endless feathers flap with room to fly. / Think if every time a bird he long to take off / He have to wait for older bird to die.” Of the song’s antagonist, Curreri growls, “My hooks? I bait it with his fingers. / The stars above? I chew and spit his eyes. / I’m gonna mush his voice and pour it into bullet / And then never even let that bullet fly.”

Quickly changing gears, Curreri then introduces the next song: “Dear Mr. Duke Ellington, you wrote my favorite song. It’s the one that makes me love everybody …almost everybody.” A beautifully heartfelt rendition of The Duke’s “Azalea” follows – Curreri only momentarily stepping aside from the piece’s sweetness for two bars of blistering solo barrage. Bassist Randall Pharr sounds particularly at home here. “Man, Paul sure sings that one something joyful,” he says. “Lonesome as it gets, too.”

And for the avid audiophile, Curreri continually makes nods to his various influences, dropping musical breadcrumbs throughout the record. In the album’s instrumental kick-off alone, we hear momentarily glimpses of John Fahey’s version of “In Christ There Is No East Nor West,” Gus Kahn’s “I’ll See You In My Dreams,” and John Hurt’s “Pay Day.” Chuck Berry, Elizabeth Cotton, Bob Marley, Thelonius Monk, and Ali Farka Toure also make subtle appearances. “It’s to Dave Van Ronk’s credit really,” Curreri says. “His records taught that wearing the past on your sleeve is honorable, to be grateful… and at the same time, to roll that sleeve up and really push forward.”

“I think this concert pushed forward,” he continues. “But still, I’m always waiting round for ghosts… on the lookout for them. ‘Cause when I feel them out there, that sure means a lot to me. It’s playing music. There’s a lot of thanks and love involved.”

Raised in Richmond, Virginia, Paul now makes his home in Charlottesville with songwriter / guitarist Devon Sproule (the two were married in May of 2005). Curreri grew up playing music but ended up enrolling at Rhode Island School of Design to pursue painting and film. While Curreri credits his experiences at art school with developing his ability to observe and record the visual world, soon his true passion began to rise to the surface. By the time Paul graduated from RISD, he'd composed over 200 songs on guitar and piano. Turning down a job at MTV he set to work carving out a life as a musician.

His acclaimed debut for City Salvage Records, From Long Gones To Hawkmoth, was released in 2002 (“Curreri brings a renewed eloquence to the medium… exquisite.” – The New Yorker). A triumphant follow-up, 2003’s Songs For Devon Sproule was hailed as “one of the very finest records in awhile. And, I don’t mean just in this genre. I mean, any genre.” – Vintage Guitar Magazine. 2004’s The Spirit of the Staircase found the artist continuing to shoulder into new lyrical and musical terrain (“Curreri has sculpted a direction of his own, furrowing a sonic field which few musicians would be admitted to at this time. Dexterous guitar work and hushed insight, full of soul and (at last) originality. " – Americana-UK).

With clarity of vision, & astoundingly visceral playing and singing, Are You Going To Paul Curreri may be Curreri’s most vibrant statement to date. Freshly transforming older numbers, boldly interpreting two cover pieces, and stretching further than ever with new songs, the album manages to corral a multitude of sides of this young Virginian’s ever-brightening career. Yes, we are going to Paul Curreri.

reviews

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  • One of my favorite albums ever
    author: Blake St. Edwards

    One of my favorite albums of all time. It doesn't get more beautiful than "On the Fiddle". This CD is so fresh from start to finish. Where the hell does this guy get such consistent inspiration? His output is astonishing. If you read this, Paul, congratulations on another amazing accomplishment. keep it coming, mate!

  • One of our country's greatest living artists
    author: Alabama J.

    This is just ridiculous. This man's playing and singing and lyrics tear everything to pieces. It's just so gorgeous! I would and have travelled many miles to see him, no matter what the morning responsibilities! In the truest sense, he is one of our country's greatest living artists. Specifically, this record proves to those who've not heard how brilliant he is live.

  • Fluid, Spontaneous, and Inspired
    author: Rick the Butler

    This is a beautiful CD. I can't believe Paul and these two men could create such a rich, full, ever-changing sound just using their three instruments. The playing is infinitely fluid, spontaneous, and inspired, and as always, Paul's songs, guitarwork, and singing rank at the top of anyone out there. How this man continues to toil beneath the radar is the 8th wonder of the world, but for we in the know, our lives are monumentally richer.

  • This is it!
    author: Luis

    I can't stop listening to this cd. You can see that Paul has put a lot of thought into arranging these songs for the trio. While his guitar work is true and leaves you begging for more, Paul does not hesitate to drop out and let the bass and drums carry on. This allows for an emotional vocal performance by the talented Mr. Curreri. Buy this record!!!

  • super mellow awesome beautiful
    author: Mark Gibson

    Paul Curreri is a force of nature -- listening to his music reminds you what it's like to be in love, with life, with music, and with the girl who won your heart. By this one, and Songs for Devon Sproule, and you'll be hooked.

  • Another beautiful recording from a brilliant musician
    author: Sara

    I can't believe this is all taken from a single night's performance. I wish I could have been there. I've been lucky enough to catch Mr. Curreri in concert a good number of times. His songs, guitar, and amazing voice always leave me feeling as though a concentrated beam of energy shot straight from the stage to my heart!! This Cd hits me exactly the same. I believe Paul is brilliant. This Cd feels like a gift.

  • amazing
    author: Erica O!

    This is one of the most accessible cds Paul has put out. Great stuff. He sounds perfectly natural with an electric guitar in hand. I also really like the start of the cd. That guy that introduces him talks funny but I find myself having fantasies about him.

  • Something beautiful and real is happening here
    author: Manhattan

    I haven't felt this instantly connected to an album since college (Doolittle, by the Pixies). His guitar tone is so on the money and the performances have literally left me pumping my fist along with the audience applause. This unbelievably talented dude is possessed.

  • OUTSTANDING!

    Are You Going To Paul Curreri is the most fiercely personal live record I've ever heard - even better in my mind than Hard Rain, Miles of Aisles, Kicking Television, or even Big Time. The audience is there cheering and loving it, but Paul's guitar and singing is so heartfelt and personal. The bravery he attacks his electric guitar with, and the confidence to understate other songs blows me away! A powerful cd from a powerful performer who perpetually keeps me on my toes. I can't say enough about these songs and the performances. I'd recommend the album to people who love everything from Sonic Youth to Muddy Waters. Awesome music.

  • A true original and music pioneer
    author: D. Blum

    This is great!! I hardly even know how to describe how I great it is. I'm not easily blown away but Paul's songs and singing and guitar playing are nothing short of an inspiration. Except for the fact that his virtuosic guitar ability makes me never want to even try to play mine again! ;) Paul, if you read this, I think you should know that you guys made a beautiful cd and that your music means a hell of a lot to me.

  • The choice is clear for me!
    author: Brian

    If lots of animals in the animal kingdom wrote, sang, and played guitar like Paul, I would have a hell of a time deciding which cd to purchase. As it is, the decision is simple... Here comes a truly brilliant and inspiring cd from one of today's greatest living musicians. I really believe that. Curreri is as deep and fast on his mental feet as Django or any of the big greats. To my ear he is as thoughtful and lifelined to his instrument as the legends ... polyrhythmic, and so much bending and volume work .. it's so great, especially on this live cd. Mississippi John meets Jelly Roll meets Lou Reed meets african beats meets John Lennon. He's like the ultimate thinking man's musician, dark and light at the same time, and my girlfriend also swoons when he plays.

  • hey bob listen to this
    author: paddlepack

    saw bob dylan on tv this year, he said if he was a young man now he would go into something besides music because today music isn't as good as music was in the day. well i think bob is like a lot of people mine and his age, he's just got lazy because the good music is out there but you have to look for it. that said this cd is a suprise to me, thought it would be an all acoustic cd with the songs stretched out a little to get in more guitar and some blues covers mixed in. NOT SO. all electric with drums and base. some of the songs i love sound like new songs. did i waste my money{hell no} because this is a great cd. thanks paul, from an old guy who digs your music.

  • Hot Damn!
    author: Emmet

    A grower, this one. More so, perhaps than his previous LPs, if only because we're so use to his acoutic sound. All the same, this record is excellent and really shows his voice off to incredible effect. The guitar playing, as you might expect, is a little less prominent given the band set up, and this set really bares little resemblance to the intimacy of his previous records (especially his first two). Nevertheless, it stands out as a great live record in its own right. I just can't help hoping that he quickly gives us another acoustic album. Songs for Devon... is perhaps my favourite record of the last five years and I'll lap up anything this man plays. How soon before Paul becomes a star?

  • Live, Alive, and Man Alive! INCOMPARABLE!
    author: Alan of the Yooo-Kay

    Some friends and I just saw Paul in Manchester... what an astounding performance... attacking and weaving and completely mesmerizing. Likewise for this new album, I was elated to see that AT LAST we have a live cd from Paul Curreri! I can hardly express how deeply moving Paul's singing (even howling) is here. Plus the stellar bass and drums rhythm section really provides him room to dig into some jaw-dropping, soul-searching, gutsy guitar. It's actually a rather incomparable record. When I put this cd on, my eyes close tight, my heart actually races, and I find myself wanting to move to Charlottesville, Virginia, US.

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