Paul Pena (Reissue) (Vinyl LP)

Incorporating a range of influences and genres, the album is an astonishing blend of strident bluesy funk, mid-tempo piano ballads, revolutionary soul and acoustic gospel hymns. All held together by Pena’s deep, rich vocals and high-class songwriting. Opener, ‘Woke Up This Morning’ flips the well-worn blues expression into an uplifting, country soul anthem and it’s immediately followed by the dirty funk of ‘I’m Gonna Make It Alright’ which comes on like a prime-time Meters. ‘The River’ shifts down a gear, locking down a mid tempo piano ballad in the vein of ‘Exile’-era Stones. Throw in the politicised soul of ‘Something To Make You Happy’ and the gorgeous, string laden gospel of ‘Lullaby’ and you have a record that truly and authentically lives and breathes a variety of genres to stunning effect.

Born in Massachusetts in 1950 and blind due congenital glaucoma by the age of 20, Pena moved to San Francisco in 1971 having become an established performer, guitarist and songwriter. Later in the decade his song ‘Jet Airliner’ became a huge hit for Steve Miller Band and he regularly played live with legends such as John Lee Hooker, and B.B King. He also taught himself Tuvan throat singing to such as degree he was invited to the country to perform at an international symposium and contest; a pilgrimage that was brought to life in the Oscar nominated documentary, ‘Genghis Blues’ in 1999. It was then, shortly after his move West Coast, that he recorded this, his debut and self-titled record.

Tracklist