Paul Gabriel Man of Many Blues

Paul Gabriel
Man of Many Blues
Smoke Ring Records

"Man of Many Blues" is the latest CD from New England based guitarist-singer Paul Gabriel. Duke Robillard, who also plays on this recording, produced it. Gabriels performs 13 originals and is backed by an all-star cast of musicians, including Duke Robillard (acoustic archtop guitar, electric guitar); Scott Spray (a veteran of both Edgar and Johnny Winter bands), long-time Gabriel friend and band member Frank Davis and Paul Opalach (bass); Mark Teixeira (drums); Sugar Ray Norcia (harmonica); Bruce Bears (piano and Hammond organ); Lonnie Gasperini (Hammond organ); Howard Eldridge (vocals); Christine Ohlman (backing vocals); Mark Earley (tenor and baritone sax); and Doug James (baritone sax). This is the second album by Gabriel that Robillard has produced and it is dedicated to Gabriel's friend Georgia Louis, a 1960s Gospel and Blues singer.

The recording has a varied program of blues, blues-infused rhythm and blues and pop. Gabriel, to these ears, strength is his vocals. He sings naturally with a relaxed sense of timing that this listener finds appealing. He has written several memorable, adult songs that are handsomely played with some strong solos, but the performances are vocal focused. There is a celebration of music on the opening track, a New Orleans blues "I Feel Good." On the pop-flavored "Cold Cold Cold" with Mark Earley's tenor sax adds flavor to a song that has hints of the music of Steely Dan, and Hall and Oates. Sugar Ray Norcia adds his harmonica to the folk-blues lament, "I'll Be That Way Sometime." There is a Johnny 'Guitar' Watson funk flavor to "No Finance No Romance" on which Howard Eldridge shares the vocal.

"Blues For Georgia," dedicated to Georgia Louis, is a jazzy R&B instrumental displaying Gabriel's thoughtful, non-flashy guitar playing. There is the world-weary humor of "Second Story Man," as he traipses all across town with a woman who can't find her key when she gets home. Both Gabriel and Robillard have concise solos on this. Musically "Man of Many Blues" evokes some of Johnny Adams' Rounder recordings. It has a lyric about a person who took some abuse in his life but never took shortcuts with some biting jazz-inflected blues guitar. "Face Full of Frown" is a lively jump blues shuffle with a driving guitar solo. Dear John Letter" closes this CD in an album rock vein with some searing guitar.

 I do have one complaint, and that is the text on the album cover is very difficult to read. The red type on the dark brown background does not help the legibility of text. About the music, I enjoyed it very much. I might not call this is the best thing since sliced toast with orange marmalade, but Paul Gabriel brings sophistication and a deep blues feeling to these well-recorded, well-performed and delightful musical performances.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the September-October 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 386), although I made minor stylistic changes. Here he performs "Blues For Georgia."

Paul Gabriel's What’s the Chance …

Paul Gabriel has been a regional treasure in New England, who in a career that spans over 40 years, has appeared on three albums by legendary singer/songwriter Harry Chapin, played slide guitar on Rory Block’s Grammy-nominated album, Mama’s Blues, toured with Michael Bolton and recorded and toured with his several of his own bands. His friend (and mentor), Duke Robillard has produced Gabriel’s new release, What’s the Chance … on Shining Stone Records. On this he steps into the spotlight on an album of 13 tracks that showcases him as a distinctive, bluesy guitarist, a talented songwriter and a master of diverse musical styles.

On What's the Chance…, Gabriel is backed by a core band of Billy Bileca on bass, Nick Longo on drums and Larry “Buzzy” Fallstrom on keyboards. Special guests on the new album include Duke Robillard on guitars and background vocals; former Butterfield Blues Band alumnus Mark Naftalin on piano; Bruce Bears on keyboards; Steve Pastir on guitar; and the Roomful of Blues Horns consisting of Rich Lataille on alto/tenor sax, Mark Earley on tenor/baritone sax, and Doug Woolverton on trumpet. With the exception of Chris Kenner’s R&B classic Something You Got, and bassist Bileca’s C.M.C., Gabriel penned the songs on this.

As Gabriel observes, he first saw Duke Robillard perform with a new band, Roomful of Blues, around 1968 and Duke became an influence and a mentor. Gabriel’s music certainly will not provide any surprises for those familiar with early Roomful or Duke and The Pleasure Kings. Gabriel’s Old Time Ball, is a jump blues clearly derived from T-Bone Walker’s T-Bone Shuffle, and is sung and played with a nice graceful swing. Ride, Ride, Ride is an appealing bluesy rocker while the title track is a reflective rootsy R&B tinged ballad. 328 Chauncy Street is a punchy, jazzy instrumental with Robillard and Bears (on organ) taking solos before Gabriel comes in swinging with a bit of buzz-saw in his tone. Baby I Wish is a nice uptown blues original with a touch of Percy Mayfield’s Tangerine and Brunswick recordings in the arrangement with Bears and Gabriel taking tough solo breaks. 

Devil’s Daughter is an original lyric about a gold digger, set to a melody derived from Nobody Knows You When Your Down and Out, with Mark Naftalin on piano, followed by a fine original jump blues “All That Time Gone.” Bileca’s C.M.C. provides Gabriel to display a jazzier side of his guitar playing he as navigates the changes of this interesting original. While the title of Roomful of Blues, may be inspired by the band, the song is not a homage to the band. The song has a base line that evokes Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone. Gabriel, having been lied to once again, pleads to be taken from that room full of blues. Rich Lataille takes a marvelous tenor sax solo on what may be the standout track on this album. Fine At’Tire, is a change of pace as Gabriel only backed by Naftalin’s piano, recalls a visit to Memphis.

A relaxed shuffle Spoda Be, closes out What's the Chance … , ending a varied and most appealing blues recording with some roots extensions. Strong material, solid playing mixed with the leader’s warm, heartfelt vocals makes for an impressive release.

A publicist supplied me with a review copy. Here is Paul Gabriel in performance.