Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Roy Orbison, John Lennon, Van Morrison, Johnny Rivers, Johnny Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons, Hank Williams, Woody Guhtrie, Phil Ochs, Nick Cave, X, John Doe, Billy Preston, The Beatles.......
"Singer-songwriter Paul Manousos plays piano and guitar, writes hooky, classic rock-influenced songs, and has a strong and listenable singing voice to top it all off. His latest CD, Common Thread, goes down smooth, like an undiscovered Van Morrison/Beatles album and is impressive from the first spin. Dig “Don’t Cry” and “Spell I’m Under” to start."– Mike O’Cull-Illinios Entertainer-May 2008
"The first thing that immediately grabs listeners attention is Paul Manousos' voice, for he can belt out a song like nobody's business. The second is his chameleon-like style, for although the singer/songwriter has invariably been tagged either folk or Americana, those labels tell only half the tale. In fact, Manousos is best described as the bastard child of Suede and early Thin Lizzy, but reared among the rolling fields of the American heartland."--Jo-Anne Green-All Music Guide Read The Whole ReviewAll Music Guide
"The musicianship on Common Thread is spotless, like Wilco with a bit more clean and indie leaning, sometimes striking out for rock and occasionally delving into country territory with more success than anything coming out of Nashville lately."David DeVoe-Hybrid April 2008Read The Whole ReviewHybrid Magazine
Surely there's room on this weary old planet for one more talented rock 'n' roll songwriter.-David Weiss-Mix Magazine-Cool Spins April 2008 Read The Whole ReviewCool Spins
"The music on Paul Manousos’ sophomore solo album Common?Thread is solid, but what makes this album a keeper are Manousos’ vocals"-Brian F. Johnson-Marquee April 2008 Read The Whole Review-Marquee Magazine Review
"If nothing else, and potentially to a fault, Paul Manousos' music lacks pretension. Common Thread steps back to a time when singer-songwriter pioneers weren't static legends but living, breathing forces. Manousos' crystal-clear vision is manifest in his best work yet."
Nate Seltenrich-East Bay Express March 2008
"San Francisco resident Paul Manousos strikes gold on his second solo album, Common Thread."-Bill Whiting Honest Tune Magazine March 2008
read the whole review-Honest Tune
"It's tough to say whether Manousos was gifted with his real-deal rocker's voice, or whether he earned its leathery patina with a life of late nights. However, he got the thing, it's a perfect topper for the classic rock guitars and lovelorn themes of new solo disc Common Thread."Editor's review-Cnet-Download.com-February 2008
BIO
The first thing that stands out about Bay Area-based musician Paul Manousos is his massive and distinctive voice. The troubadour’s first instrument was the piano at the age of five. After playing in a few bands while in school, Paul realized his desire to sing and write his own songs early on. He grew weary of being asked if he was faux playing the keyboards because he was shaking his tail feather so violently while singing intoxicating harmonies. He ultimately decided to make the leap from behind the piano to taking centerstage by strapping on a guitar.
Through the 90’s Paul played the role of background musician until forming his own band POWER13. They gigged locally in Northern California for a few years and released two indie records, the second of which (Soon) they managed to procure the services of producer Steve Fisk (Pell Mell, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Screaming Trees).
Working with Steve inspired a lot of change for Manousos. Fisk was really supportive of the musician’s desire to explore different sounds and work outside of the traditional four piece rock band mold. Paul decided to become a solo artist and within six months of this decision, he toured the U.S. and his first solo album For Better or Worse was almost ready to hit the street. That record garnered media accolades in 2006 from HARP, Drum and EQ magazines as well as from numerous regional and web publications. More touring followed, both solo and with a three piece backing band and then came more songs. If his name or face rings a bell to you, you may have seen him in an eMusic promotion featured at Century Theatres accompanied by a track from For Better or Worse called “Beautiful Girl.” He still finds it completely surreal when people in the Bay Area stop him on the street to ask if he’s the guy who sings the song about the beautiful girl.
Paul received an Honorable Mention in the WCSA International Song Competition in 2006 for “Beautiful Girl” and was also awarded as a finalist in the Best Male Artist category for the 2006 International Acoustic Music Awards.
The new album and second solo release Common Thread finds Paul teamed up once again with Steve Fisk along with some excellent local players (Peter Canton-bass, Darrin Fox-electric guitar, and Andrew Griffin- drums and percussion) who have been since dubbed The East Bay Wrecking Crew. The record features mostly live vocals and talented Seattle-based artist Carrie Akre (Hammerbox, Goodness) performs guest vocals on “Real World,” “Rhumba 23 (Crazy)” and the cover of Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings.”
From the driving guitar riff energy of the second track “Stay Awake” to the political stylings of “Real World,” Manousos’ knack for creating songs with indelible choruses and hooks is apparent. Both his piano and acoustic guitar prowess is on display, managing to remain quite audible under that massively fantastic voice.
Oh yeah, and in case you were concerned: there’s another girl song too – “Who’ll Kiss The Girl?” Our bets are on Manousos.
What People Are Saying
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Better Or Worse-release date-February 14th 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"For Better or Worse is an extremely well put together debut album from a talented songwriter. The music is light and uplifting, and many people will find it to be worthy of their time. Hopefully enough people give this album a chance, even if Manousos may not be a recognizable name yet. Definitely give it a chance if you're into all types of music, as you'll be surprised at how often it'll end up in your stereo."
Editor-Cosmo Gaming
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I love it when I hear new music that doesn't make me want to throw
up, and Paul's solo debut album, For Better or Worse, is just that.
The clean, powerful melodies of the opening track, "Another Day In The
Life," set the tone for the rest of the record. Track after track is
catchy in that quiet but powerful, Belle-and-Sebastian sort of way.
What you get with this record, in all its simplistic beauty, is great
music. Well made, well recorded, and even better written."
GRADE: A+ Neogeo the Prophet
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The first thing you notice about Paul Manousos' solo debut is that
voice, that aching, desperate, piercing voice, whether he's shouting
out the chorus of the rocking "Another Day In The Life" or wailing
high above the coda of the ballad "Beautiful Girl." Manousos,the
former leader of SF-based band POWER13, has also found his true
songwriting voice on For Better or Worse with disarmingly direct songs
that blur the lines between the personal and political and careen from
musical strength to strength, from the pub-rock-styled "Flavor of the
Month" to the delicate "So New to Me."
Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen, Harp Magazine March 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"For Better or Worse echoes the romanticism of pre-Beatles roots
rock, and other times sounds like Steve Earle fronting the Rolling
Stones. With equal parts sweet hope and bitter doubt, the lyrics scan
like an emotional snapshot of our times, even as the music conjures up
ghosts of the '60s. Whether the subject is love or politics, though,
Manousos belts out every line with unabashed passion. That could be a
sign of how far we have come from the irony of the '90s, and it's a
welcome relief to hear that kind of passion fueling a rock record
released in 2006.
Drew Pearce, Acoustic Guitar Magazine June 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Paul Manousos performs solo with confidence, and he showed his
professionalism by performing under less than perfect conditions with
a smile on his face and contagious enthusiasm that he carried on
throughout the night.
Laura Phillips, Music Connection Magazine June 2006
i love the Common Thread album. sounds fantastic. my son, almost three rocks hard to it, he says "it has good guitar sounds daddy." there you go darrin, from the mouths of babes.
it was great to meet you all. all the best on your tour. hope to see you again soon.
Sometimes life just hits you this way! Here is hoping that your weekend is going better... in fact, even GREAT! Hugs, Dawn PS - Paul, I LOVE your song Beautiful girl!!! You rock! lol - as, the kids would say! :)
