Paul Cowley — “Long Shadow”
Country blues is a simple acoustic music made complex by its personal storytelling, its emotional themes and its eloquently spare musical structures.
Paul Cowley, an English singer/songwriter/guitarist living in the French countryside, inspired by this century-old American music, has soaked up its mysteries, only to reveal them in his own uniquely elegant musical creations.
“Long Shadow” is his latest album, filled with songs whose authenticity reflects everyday truths, delivered by Cowley’s soulful, world-weary vocals.
Cowley’s music lives in the fertile borderlands connecting genres, and he describes the songs here as a “diverse collection rooted in country blues, ranging from ballads, love songs, straight blues, Americana, stories, truths, half-truths, untruths and commentary.” That’s a headful of ideas, not meant for elevators, but for listening on nights warmed by brandy with meanings hiding in the long shadows.
Multiple influences may shape Cowley’s music, but his lyrics seem pulled from deep within — unhurried reflections of the world around him. Eight originals grace the session, with three deep-blue covers, all recorded in the granite-walled barn in rural Brittany that serves as his studio.
The delicately picked, gently sung “Time” opens the album, a low-key rumination on how time becomes more important as it passes” “It won’t wait for you, it won’t wait for me … nor a woman nor a man, time keeps movin’, grab it while you can.” The light-hearted, traditional blues “Big Hitter” shuffles in with its soft-spoken braggadocio. “I’m big hitter mama, it’s what I do….”
“Old Man” is a pensive, reflective blues, fueled by mournful harp from Rob Venables: “I’m an old man do what I can, old man, don’t give a damn.” The first of three covers is the Skip James classic, “Crow Jane,” played with a melodic verve that belies its murderous message.
Next, the title track carries its own history: For more than 35 years, Cowley’s family has owned a cottage overlooking the River Dyfi in Snowdonia, Wales, A tree by the river casts a long shadow in the morning sun, and that image became the name of a short-lived musical duo, then a song title, and now this album. Whenever he performs the song, Cowley says, “I’m transported to the valley. I like that sort of authenticity.” It’s that authenticity that permeates everything here, and helps to make “Long Shadow” the delight it is.
“First Born” is an ode to Cowley’s own life, and likely the story of many others. “Dirt Poor” looks back again, with a whimsical tale of a chicken with a prolapse and other farm animals that come up wanting. “Once In a While” asks more profound questions: “World flashing by, ask myself why, what is it we all need?” “Where Are You Now” – A fiction prompted by an early summer morning, sparkling ocean view across Douarnenez Bay.
Two more well-chosen classic blues covers close this excellent album — “Train I Ride” by Mississippi Fred McDowell .and “Same Thing,” by Willie Dixon. Cowley’s rich vocals and expressive guitar emphasize the timeless message of this music.
Of this session, Coley says: “There is no algorithm social media driven strategy here. The songs have arrived in their own way & time, they are mostly autobiographical in one way or another. The recording process couldn’t be more simple. In the studio here, I set up three mics to record the first track “Time” and haven’t moved them until the last song was done. I’ve recorded live, standing, only with slight adjustment to my position depending on the song. Each song has had a level playing field. No effects have been employed.”
In a world obsessed with flash and immediacy, Paul Cowley has cast his perceptive “Long Shadow” on a record that values patience, craft and honesty. It’s the exquisite work of an artist completely at ease with himself and his musical vision. Listen at your pleasure!
Here’s “Once In a While” from the album:
Tracklist, with Cowley’s comments:
Time – It has occurred to me that for probably the first two thirds of our lives, we barely ever consider time. From there on we constantly contemplate it! The song reflects those thoughts.
Big Hitter – Lots of clichés. No trouble writing songs like this one.
Old Man – Statement of fact, embrace it!
Crow Jane – Skip James classic emerged at some point in the process.
Long Shadow – Read notes about album title.
First Born – Autobiography
Dirt Poor – One of our chickens did have a prolapse. Inspiring the theme for the song.
Once In a While – The short sighted nature of mankind!
Where Are You Now – A fiction prompted by an early summer morning, sparkling ocean view across Douarnenez Bay.
Train I Ride – Fred McDowell . Increasingly the governor!
Same Thing – Been on my to-do list for a long time.
Harmonica 3 – Rob Venables.
Lapsteel 9 – Pascal Ferrari
Bass,drums 2,3,10,11 – Pascal Ferrari.
Blues Roadhouse 