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Parker Paul | Wingfoot

Weird, restless, and piano-based compositions from a more-than-able songwriter.
CD, Jagjaguwar/Konkurrent

Tekst: Maurice Dielemans

Publicatiedatum: 14 februari 2002

The first time that I heard Parker Paul wasn't very memorable, but his latest release brought back memories of that strange night. Ohio native Paul had the opportunity to do a small tour with the band Slobberbone, but that night he was in Rotterdam, and things didn't work out the way they were supposed to. He tragically ended up in front of some really drunk football supporters, who obviously didn't pay any attention to what he was doing on stage. While Parker Paul was doing his own thing on the piano, Slobberbone were getting ready for some loud country rocking, and the small audience got noisier with every single song. Luckily, it all turns out a whole lot better on his second release 'Wingfoot'. Each little song here has that weird, restless, and piano-based composition, but it seems to work perfectly in its own unique way. Now and then it gets painfully exhilarating, and sometimes he is playing a dead serious game with many of his ambitious songs, but the freewheeling arrangements and Parker Paul's vocal abilities of a drunken crooner constantly lift the songs way over the top. If you're expecting that this extraordinary record will immediately blow you away, Parker Paul may disappoint you. Upon first listening, 'Wingfoot' isn't a very appealing collection of convenient pop songs, especially when you are expecting something completely different: loud rocking with electric guitars or sentimental twang in it. Therefore, it simply takes a long while to only figure out how one should and shouldn't listen to the mind-blowing creations of Parker Paul, but in the end you couldn't think of a better investment for your precious time. Of course, the obvious influences from the work of master craftsman Randy Newman and early Tom Waits are not hard to guess, but besides all of the refurnishing and inaccessibility on 'Wingfoot' hides Parker Paul's idiosyncratic skill in writing songs that are all moving, silly, and a real treat. That is to say, if you give it a chance.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/parker-paul/wingfoot/1291/
Meer Parker Paul op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/parker-paul