"I relate to Pablo Neruda (the poet) in 'Il Postino' when he says that by explaining his poetry; he nullifies the very purpose of its existence." ~Paula Cole
Paula Cole was born April 5 1968 and grew up in Rockport, a small
Massachusetts town and the
"Bethlehem" she sang about with
tender pain on Harbinger (her debut release on Imago, re-released on
Warner Bros. Records). And while it revealed a childhood of poverty,
diffidence and self-consciousness, This Fire revisits Bethlehem on
"Tiger," its leadoff track, to announce that "...I've left Bethlehem and I
feel free. I've left the girl I was supposed to be."
Her family was her greatest artistic influence. Her mother is a visual
artist, while her father has paved a diverse career path by using his
varied musical talents. "My dad used to play bass in a polka band. He
put himself through college, earning a Masters and then a Ph.D. in
entomology, while supporting two children with his earnings from
musical gigs, as well as other part-time jobs. He used to walk through
the house playing blues progressions on the guitar and I would vocally
improvise. Also, singing in three-part harmony in the car was an every
day occurrence," remembers Paula. "They taught me the most singly
important life philosophy: music is meant to be self-made, to be
experienced directly. Therefore, we didn't listen to many records or
spend much time listening to the radio. I see now how different I am
from mainstream society in this way and it makes me very happy."
After high school, Cole attended Berklee College of Music in Boston,
where she studied jazz singing and improvisation. "I learned a lot
cerebrally; I learned a lot of old standards, eartraining, arranging and
group singing, but I was ultimately driven to write my own music,
poetry and prose. I could see that this was my path. I felt destiny in my
own music. I found freedom."
This Fire was self-produced by Cole, one of several major steps she has
taken since her first recording. "There's a blossoming of self on this new
album. I look back to Harbinger and I see the poignancy; I feel its
adolescent point of view. Now the flower has opened, has been in the
sun and is unafraid. I'm taking more chances; I'm bold and proud."
Paula Cole's new album, featuring the hit song "Where Have All The
Cowboys Gone?" is available from Warner Bros. Records.
I recently had the privilage of attending Paula Coles concert at "The Coach House" in San Juan Capistrano (Sunday Oct.26,1997). I have attended many concerts of various artist since the 70's until now. I was completely overwhelmed by her talent. It was the best concert I have ever seen.
Paula started her U.S. tour in Santa Barabra Calif last week. Paula likes to play in small clubs to warm up to the work of touring. She also likes the atmosphere of the clubs so she can communicate to her fans...something she does well. She is not new to playing at the coach house. She played there last year also..with rave reviews.
The "Coach House" in San Juan Capistrano is a dinner/entertainment club that has hosted hundreds of artist from the past and of the present time. It is a warmly decorated building that holds 488 guests.Everyone has an excellent view.
The background setting of the stage was very interesting. A white sheet was hung with various womens outfits hung, as a representation of womenhood...a wedding gown, a go-go dancer, a housewife dress, a western dress, and a japanese kimona.. the symbolism was perfect
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(this was taken after the concert)
Paula looked beautiful. Wearing a long velvet dress, and long curled hair, yet wearing boots, she was the perfect example of strength and tenderness.
Paula opened up her performance with a solo clarinet tune, part of the song,"Tiger".She then gave an emotional dedication to her Mother"wherever
she may be", with the song,"Happy Home".She continued with"Ordinary",followed by"Bethlehem",with a brief,emotional telling of her troubled youth.
Paula's keyboard work was fantastic,as was her dancing and interacting with her backup band,who she made sure was noticed too,Jay Bellrose on drums, Kevin Barry on guitar, and Paul Bushnell on bass. They are incredible musicians.
The rest of her set consisted of;"Mississippi","Where have all the cowboys gone?","Feeling love","Carmen","Hitlers brothers""Me","Hush,hush,hush",Watch the womens hands","Black boots","Jolene"( a Dolly Parton re-mix..it was great!),and ended the set with "I don't want to wait".
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I know this picture is terrible, but its all I could get...in a hurry to get to the concert forgot to buy film,stopped at a mini-mart and they didn't have the right film to take the type of picture I wanted
Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check out my
discography page for more info and pictures.
CLICK HERE for a 30 second video of Paula
Paula has also done so much more than her first 2 CD's. Go here for info about Paula's music before "Harbinger" and "This Fire".