Paul Robinson plays guitar – and the artwork of his CD panels display
dozens of these collectible beauties. Thank God he can play
them – and play he does on his latest CD, "Sweet" – an 11 song collection
of music that moves from blues to rock to jazz to pop with the sincerity
and ease of this seasoned singer/ songwriter/ musician.
The title track, "Sweet", is a perfect example of Robinson's interesting
and original compositional style – the phrasings he falls naturally
into, are not natural in the standard pop vein – no – there's much
too much musical education underneath it all which is precisely why
this music takes a seat among some of the great musician/writers.
The chorus, with the 'sweet' phrasing, sings, 'sweet sweet like the
moment you meet and your heart starts to singing, sweet sweet it's
a ride take a seat, but you better hold onto something' – credits
on background vocals include the great Al Stewart from "Year of the
Cat" fame, mp3'd
here.
Track 3, "The Personals", has a Warren Zevon-ish feel as Robinson
reflects on a nightmare experience with personal ads – the ad reads
like a picture, 'black Beatle boots with the heel worn down, riding
on the train toward the west end of town, brown suede jacket wit the
pockets shot through, standing on the landing when i spotted you'.
The following track is the rock and roll pop gem of the record – with
a hook that will endear itself to all northern Californians, mp3'd
here – the Bay Area guitarist writes, '. . goodbye good bay, hello
HellL.A.' as he recounts bouts of insincerity in the glitzy metro
cousin 6 hours south of San Francisco.
Robinson's compositional style has tastes of Steely Dan – yet he demonstrates
a deep understanding of jazz composition that includes flavors SD
would envy – case in point, the instrumental, "Psycho Soul Theme",
rides between 60s TV Police drama and jazz band charm – all surrounded
by layers and layers of sweet and varied guitar sounds, including
thick tube toned octave unison melody lines on Paul's Telecaster.
The final vocal track (there's one more instrumental to end the record),
"Guilty as Charged", is a bluesy jazz with horns number that includes
a rippin' guitar solo that Robinson transitions all over the place
– and hits all changes with precision and beautiful phrasing.
Excellent record.
