OFFICIAL UK RELEASE DATE: OCT 26, 2009 FROM TIN ANGEL RECORDS
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA’S PAUL CURRERI LEANS EVER FORWARD ON HIS VIVID SIXTH ALBUM, CALIFORNIA.
“Well, what year isn’t a bitch?” Curreri laughs when asked about the vocal-cord injury he sustained 15 months back. For the first time since he earnestly began touring in 2002, he was forced off the road. “I bought an old motorcycle. I ignored Facebook. I made California.”
Internationally acclaimed as a songwriter, guitarist, and producer (Curreri helmed five or six albums this year alone, including wife Devon Sproule’s new release ¡Don't Hurry For Heaven!), California finds Curreri back in his Virginia studio, again handling all the instruments himself, as he did on his critically heralded previous effort, 2007’s The Velvet Rut (“A riveting trip. His best yet.” – Uncut “These songs sparkle like stars on a cold night. 5 STARS" – MOJO).
But a baton has been passed. Atop a circular and unworldly guitar riff, the title cut begins, “Too few folks know how fun it is / To believe in invisible stuff like this.” The Velvet Rut’s joyously pissed snarl has evolved into an undercurrent of something larger, something downright hopeful, unabashedly appreciative to be downstream from some rough stuff. Check the bridge of the opening track, “Now I Can Go On”: “I can not forget deciphering the most horrifying of certainties / Where any illness I was suffering from was a twisted arm behind me. / And there were killers. Real killers! / And I was unaccompanied. / But now I’m leaning toward your finding me / And making new memories.” He repeats that word: “memmmmories,” then hollers, exploding into a breathtakingly eventful solo section.
At 13 tracks, California covers a lot of sonic ground. From the opening track’s pounding piano drive, to the near uncomfortable honesty and simplicity of “I Can Never Return,” Curreri fastballs a lot of sticky ideas at the wall. There’s a fully improvised, fully belted, and fully unintelligible blues bash. Another number, “Off the Street, Onto The Road,” opens with a phone conversation between Scott Joplin and Joseph Lamb. On the only track to feature a guest, Devon Sproule shows up for a gorgeous duet take on Michael Hurley’s “Wildegeeses.” Curreri even throat-sings at the tail of “I Can Hear The Future Calling.” It’s a damn blast, and as life-affirming as a Bob Marley album.
“Oh man, here and there, all this forced time off whirlwinded me. I wasn’t sure if I was a musician or a soccer mom or a bed bug,” he admits over the phone, picking his guitar in the background. “But sometimes… it almost felt like a blessing. I realized certain junk isn’t permanently within me, that there’s peace to be found relatively close by, that some degree of – I don’t know – grace is attainable, even if it kinda comes and goes.”
With a deeply rooted guitar style – seemingly flecked by Gary Davis, Frisell, Ali Farka, Ribot – this September, Paul has been invited to travel to Kenya to participate in a collaboration between Western and African musicians. “Just got my shots… I was very brave,” he says proudly. Upon his return, in addition to guesting on telecaster for Devon Sproule’s October run, Curreri will be touring the UK with his English trio for the first two weeks of November to celebrate California’s release. The tour will wrap up with 3 nights at London’s Betsey Trotwood.
Last, when asked how he managed to create such a forward-leaning, positive album while dealing with what many would regard as a career and personal crisis, a long moment passes before he replies. “Well,” he says, “we all live with hardship and crisis. But maybe it’s the price paid for being surrounded by and involving oneself with only what feels authentic and important. I get to play music, even if – yeah – on occasion it’s just at home. But I sometimes wonder if fishing for more doesn’t rip something from someone who – for better or worse – wants or needs it more deeply.”
Tin Angel Records is home to such eclectic and exciting acts as Baby Dee, Polar Bear, Danny Schmidt, Black Carrot, Adrian Crowley, DON’T MOVE!, and Devon Sproule. Though wildly differing in background and style, the artists share Tin Angel’s desire to retain a searching creative vision, and the drive to challenge themselves & their audience.
Tin Angel Records is very proud to introduce Paul Curreri’s California
UK PR CONTACT: rich@thetinangel.co.uk 07817437210
US PR CONTACT: info@paulcurreri.com 434-249-9898
NEW LOCATION! Even thought the beachside grill isn't going to be open until next week, THE MUSIC MUST GO ON!!!! It's still in downtown Oceanside, just around the corner on pierview way! Pierview Pub!
thanks for the add. I just found out about you and Devon the other night when I was watching Jools H on the tube. Man, I was so impressed with Devon's performance and your acoustix. I hope you two plan on touring down to Austin sometime soon. Love to see you live.
Frank has gone to look for his reel to reel, because he wants to record
a new song,(that I am going to make a 'video' for.)So while he does
that, I thought I would send you this thank you note for becoming a
friend to reema-leema. We want to put up lots of new and old films up
on this site, and we hope you enjoy them.
Anyway, best wishes-
Brian Little.
ps: here is a new clip from "franksworld" -hope you like it.
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane.To those who don't know me, I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
Hey man I miss ya (ya'll) so much! I just left Dev a huge ass message on her wall... i tend to do such ridiculousness-ness. Take care yo. Keep me in the loop. Like I told Dev, grad school def. does get me in the ass bu the awesome thing about is that im done with my coursework on tues... just gotta knock out the thesis. Take care luv!!
I don't know if I've already wrote you about the new Once Upon a Rooftop - but, it's fantabulous. I love the direction you took it. I've listened the hell outta the Song of the Week version, and this is a perfect match of freshness.
If you get the time, could you let me in what the song is about? I love the lyrics, but I can't figure it out - maybe it's meant that way, but the insight would be awesome.
Thanks Paul - hope you've been having fun recording. =)
I heard some of your music on the radio in farmville ( I can't remember the station... it was a few days ago), and also I realized that when I'm playing something I consider "hard" on the guitar I also clench my teeth. Anyway, I figured I would just say hi. Goodluck with all the recording/engineering/producing stuff you've got going on and I hope you and Devon are having a good spring.
Look in the sky, De sign! Hey Paul let me send you a copy of my new CD or buy it on credit for free, because no man is an Island. Just trying to make in Rhode see who School who on guitar (don't worry it's you!) It's a very short CD, but I was making it happenstancing. Write care Of MICAhl
Hi Paul, when I watched this TED talk on creative genius I wondered what you and Devon would have to say about it. Ole' to you all the time! http://...com/b6hs2k
![Jon Hecox [music]](http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/21/s_95b37e7fd70249268a75def43a062e0e.jpg)
