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name in December 1995 |
Welcome back to Art In Society. I would like to thank our readers for their interest in this column. So far I've had several very interesting submissions and positive feedback. This time we have Paul Scull, self-dubbed "Singer, Songwriter, Multiinstrumentalist, Humorist". A native of Reading, Paul has performed at coffee houses, parties, fairs, festivals and other outdoor events for over 20 years. A regular on the Reading coffee house and club scene, Paul now resides in Mohnton, PA. His repertoire includes original songs, popular folk-rock and blues. He covers artists like the Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Band, Mary Chapin-Carpenter and others. Paul sent me a four song piano vocal demo recorded with a Steinway concert grand live in Swope Hall at the West Chester University School of Music. One of the things the listener will pick up about Paul is his melodic vocal style, which seems to have a touch of that Irish sound in it. I wouldn't classify Paul as being commercial in any sense of the word, but palatable and talented, yes.The first track, Satisfied Mind was a reworked version from an early 1970's album by the bluegrass/folkrock band, Goose Creek Symphony. The theme of the song: a world view that includes personal happiness and "no regrets" living as the key to the good life. But as much as I liked the message, it was my least favorite recording. Paul renders the song well, but the repetition got to me after a while. Track Two: That Song About The Dental Hygienist, is a story song about the routine trip to the dentist that is, well... not your routine trip! Through tasteful innuendo we learn of the singer's fantasies as he looks forward to each trip to the hygienist. The only thing here, and I may have been over critical, was that Paul's wording often outruns the melody. It sounds like there is tension between the two, rather than a free flow. |
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Number three, Letting Go was probably my favorite of the bunch. Yet slightly repetitious, this tune immediately struck me as John Gorka-esk (John Gorka penned the crossover folk/country hit Houses In The Fields from his album Jack's Crows). Take Gorka, give him a piano and you have something like Letting Go. The mood of the song was exceptional and conveyed the message well. Paul's voice ads just the right amount of sentimentality to make this a possible crossover hit. Of Full Moon On Main St., the last track on his demo, Paul says, "this tune was a reworking of a composition of Chicago blues band, The Kinsey Report. The Kinsey's are the sons of noted blues guitarist Big Daddy Kinsey and both father and sons have numerous recordings to their credit." Full Moon is a fine rendition and wrapped up a very rounded picture of Paul's abilities as a musician. Due to a neck injury, Paul has refrained from active performing for the present. "I'm relaxing and taking things a day at a time... practicing and writing when the inspiration strikes." He hopes to do some studio work in l996. Here's to your recovery Paul and good luck with the music as well. You can find Paul on the internet at pscull@wcupa.edu |