PAUL KAHN

WILLINGNESS

CarlCat Records

Paul Kahn, vocals/composer; Matt Munister, guitars; Russell Hall, bass; Shawn Pelton, drums/percussion; Ben Rosenblum, accordion; Sara Caswell, Hardanger fiddle; Glenn Patscha, Hammond C3; Veronica Dye, flute; Catherine Russell, background vocals;/mandolin/keyboard; Layla, background vocals.

In the late 1970s, Paul Kahn played bass and sang with a bluegrass band called “Tasty Licks.”  The band included a member who would go on to forge an internationally famous path in the music world: Bela Fleck. Kahn played on the banjo sensation’s first recording.

However, Kahn’s songwriting reflects a commercial side as a composer.  In fact, most of his tunes are genre-less.  Depending on the arrangement, they could fit into Reggae or pop or country/western. Take for instance the opening tune titled “Stain On My Sleeve” that sounds like he’s in a Jamaican studio.   Kahn has a pleasing songwriter tone to his voice. His lyrics are positive and uplifting.

He received help with this project when artist, singer/songwriter and producer Catherine Russell came onboard to both produce and press up this EP on her label “Carlcat Records.” Russell is an iconic vocalist herself with 10 solo albums as a leader.

A tune he’s titled “Memory Lane” is quite pop as it ambles on the scene. He harmonizes with Catherine Russell, who supports him as his backup singer. She also plays mandolin and keyboards as a guest on this recording. Matt Munisteri takes a cool guitar solo on this tune.

Paul rediscovered these five out of six original songs written years before he ever met Catherine Russell. One day, he pulled them out and showed them to his talented friend. Russell insisted they needed to be recorded. However, Paul Kahn is not really a solo artist.  He is a talented songwriter, and this album sounds like a well-produced songwriter’s catalog.

Paul Kahn had his time in the spotlight as a Bluegrass, zydeco artist when he recorded an album of his original music back in 1999, titled, “These Ears and Eyes.” It was given new life with a re-release in 2024 via Mighty Quinn Records.

Kahn has been in the music business over half a century. In 1979 he founded a boutique music booking agency “Concerted Efforts” where he represented a plethora of legendary artists including Rosanne Cash, Booker T. & the MGs, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, The Holmes Brothers, Ali Farka Toure, Buckwheat Zydeco, and many more.  This recording is an encore performance to remind us of what a strong songwriter he is.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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