A Concert Vision you don't see on Gather

Now that there is a second song from Paul Kurrey in Gather's First Tracks contest, that is quite different from the first, I thought you may want to see an article I wrote a bit ago. Listen to his song and if you feel like I do please place vote for him.                                                                                                                                                                           I work at a music club that is an old movie theater. Last month a guy with a guitar played here for the first time and I was very moved. That's when I joined gather as I overheard him say he was putting his songs on a cool site he heard about. We have bands and players come thru here all the time and are located in easy access to 3 major cities. Eric Clapton stops by occasionally as he lives in a nearby city with his family. Well this is not about him or where I work, it's about a sensitive writer and musician that is right here on Gather, Paul Kurrey.

Last month I was as I say so moved by his solo show that I signed on here to have his music which I consider special.  Between songs his wit and story telling was like I have never heard. He projected intimacy to a fairly large room with a small balcony that is still used. Instantly I felt as if I was in a Grennwich Villiage coffee house in the 60's which was so kewel having only seen that stuff in movies. For a one man show he was electrifying to say the least. I heard talk about the show and how the people felt they had seen an incredible personality in a time when there isn't much in new music. Paul comes from musical roots that remembers an audience is not a person downloading a tune for 94 cents, and that shines over his whole showand makes it different. His heart felt lyrics are exceptionaly moving, and you can feel his experience just from the look in his eyes, life experience, joy, over shadowed with pain. Your own issues and emotions are lifted while listening. I hoped he would come back and later I found out he was booked for 2 nights a Wed and Thursday in March. Later I found out a third show was added on Friday. I can't recall ever working 3 nights for one person before and wondered how he would attract such a crowd. Thru our advertising, local rants and a memorable evening the 3 nights were sold out!

The first night was an intimate show with his coffe house singer songwriter roots as I spoke about above. The second night took everybody by surprise and well, WOW!

The lights went down and our manager gave his normal Ladies and Gentlemen.....Paul Kurrey....Aspot light showed down on Paul and he sang a song , Good Night Mary Jane, The second song Is there Anybody Here by a teenage New York City friend Phil Ochs......Then total darkness and the lights went on with a new Ladies and Gentlemen The PauL Kurrey Band. A ripping slide guitar like I have never heard started a bluesy southern beat song about falling in love with a waitress, I don't know the name and it is not on here. I was very taken away and you could see mouths open as the crowd started rockin taken totally by surprise. The guitars playing back and forth was awesome! His band has a female bass player who is outstanding, a 2nd guitarest who is totally wild, a girl on keyboard and a hot drummer. All n all one of the tightest line ups I have ever seen! My favorites were all played in electric form. Paul's humor and strange twist on life still was spoken and came thru as the band relaxed between sets. After the 2 opening songs with the band for instance, Paul walked up to the mike and said one word Gotcha. The crrowd roared and gotcha they did with a show nobody, but my boss expected. I did get concerned when the band said good night and the last number was not his first track entry Dancing With The Rain........of course it was the oncor preceeded with Thank You so much and we will leave you with my greatest hit.......I lost it when I heard the familure simple clean guitar opening, now done with a second guitar playing the lines in a higher tone. The middle was a sourthern rock type guitar duet that took the house by storm, the song lasted a good 10 minutes or more. Like a big headliner show the band all hugged and bowed at the end and the theater still rang with the sounds left by this incredible artist. I see nothing but good things in your future Paul and Thank You for a wonderful show! I still haven't had a chance to talk with him as he is reclusive back stage, deep in thoughts I am sure. maybe next time we can say hello face to face!