Paul Roland: Pavane 2004 + Bonus Tracks from "Duel" CD

Paul Roland (born 6 September 1959 in Kent, England), is a singer-songwriter, author, journalist and paranormal researcher.

Since the release of his first (shared) single "Oscar Automobile" in 1979, Roland has been spinning his tales against a backdrop of gothic rock, psychedelic pop, folk and, occasionally, baroque strings. His character creations include a Regency magistrate, various 19th Century murderers, a retired executioner, an opium addict, and an entire court of medieval grotesques.

Paul has been called "the male Kate Bush" by one-time label-mate Robyn Hitchcock, and "The Lord Byron of Rock" by the French music magazine Les Inrockuptibles.
“Paul Roland has remained a cherished figure on the gothic rock and psychedelic pop periphery for 30 years…a treasury of detail and eloquence…Roland's impeccable narratives (and) formal, baroque instrumentation…creates the antiquated yet timeless ambience his songs deserve" (Marco Rossi, Record Collector, May 2010).

Joshua Pfeiffer of Vernian Process is quoted as saying "As for Paul Roland, if anyone deserves credit for spearheading steampunk music, it is him. He was one of the inspirations I had in starting my project. He was writing songs about the first attempt at manned flight, and an Edwardian airship raid in the mid-80s long before almost anyone else…."

“Paul Roland writes nice melodies and has a very particular personality but he is too intellectual for me!" (Frank Zappa, 1988).

Roland's first album "The Werewolf of London" (1980), with historical and supernatural themes was picked up by Armageddon Records in the UK. It was there that Roland met Robyn Hitchcock "Burnt Orchids". Its title track was the first to feature Roland backed by a small string and woodwind ensemble, a trademark of many of his albums of the 80s and 90s.

who later appeared on tracks for Roland's second album. After an abortive flirtation with the music business, when he was managed by David Enthoven (manager of Roxy Music) and June Bolan (widow of Marc Bolan), Roland returned to Armageddon Records for the mini-album

The success of the album led to Roland's first tours in Europe, label deals in France (New Rose Records), Germany (Pastell), Greece (DiDi Music), Italy (Diva Records), the United States (Revolver) and Japan (Century Records) and offers to work with film composer Michael Nyman and

members of the Velvet Underground. Other cult figures such as Robyn Hitchcock, Nick Saloman (a.k.a. The Bevis Frond), Nick Nicely, and Andy Ellison (of John's Children) made guest appearances on Roland's subsequent albums, several of which are now listed as highly collectable including the psychedelic classic "Danse Macabre", the acoustic based mini-albums "A Cabinet of Curiosities" and "Happy Families" with stories of eccentric characters, the rockier "Duel" with its medieval-tinged three-song suite The King Must Die and the folk rock outing Masque, Roaring Boys, a mini-album of cover versions entitled "Strychnine", "Sarabande" and "Gargoyles" which completed the first chapter of the Roland discography in 1997. That year, Roland took a seven-year break from music to raise his two young sons, and write a series of books on mysticism and true crime.

In 2002, Roland returned with an appearance at the Herbstnächte-Festival in Berlin in September of that year. After that a series of re-issues appeared, beginning with Duel which was released by Haunted Forest Records in Greece (2002).

In 2004, Roland returned with his first new album in seven years, the largely acoustic "Pavane", which was released on Roland's own (revamped) label Gaslight Records. The album

provided a further glimpse into his mind including a brief baroque instrumental piece that he had discussed recording with film composer Michael Nyman many years earlier. This album was re-issued by Black Widow Records in Italy in 2006.
After many years of silence here's the return of the great english minstrel named Paul Roland. This brilliant album is much in the folkish vein of the artist, a worthy follow up of masterpieces like "Dance macabre" or "Masque"; "Dark Carnival", "Phantoms", the sinister "Hymn" and the delicate "Pavane" are the strong points of this beautiful effort. Highly recommended.

Literary career

Roland is the author of more than 40 books on the subject of mysticism, crime and the occult. His

books, which have been translated into more than 15 languages including Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek and Hebrew, cover spiritual and occult traditions, which culminated in his creation of The Kabbalah Cards (AGMuller/Urania) in collaboration with artist Sylvia Gainsford. The cards are a radical reinterpretation of the Jewish mystical teachings with a serious psychological orientation which distinguished them from the Kabbalah themed tarot packs which preceded them.

Books

Paul Roland's Music

Paul Roland ‎– Pavane

Genre: Rock

Style: Acoustic, Indie Rock, Alternative, Psychedelic

Year: 2004

Format: CD: Paul Roland - Pavane  (C)2004

Gaslight Records GASCD804 UK

TRACKS

01. Prelude - Mr. Nyman's Garden 01:41

02. Dark Carnival 04:52

03. Musette 03:33

04. Dice With The Devil 04:29

05. Lucifer's Servant 03:07

06. Pavane 03:22

07. Phantoms 04:18

08. Easter 1916 05:13

09. Hymn 04:51

10. Voodoo Doll 05:08

11. Reprise - Mr. Nyman's Music Room 01:43

Total Time: 00:42:23

Paul Roland: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

Chris Randall: Accordion, Bass, Harpsichord, Lute, Pipe Organ, Piano, Woodwind

Andy Young: Electric Lead Guitar

Jenny Benwell: Violin

Richard Dray: Celtic Harp, Mandolin

Jeff X: Saxophones

Phil Martin: Hurdy Gurdy

Peter Pracownik: Percussion

MP3 @ 320 Size: 100 MB
FLAC  Size: 255 MB

BONUS TRACKS FROM "DUEL" CD

01. Witchfindergeneral  03:36

02. Madame Guillotine   02:26

03. Death Or Glory  03:31

04. Cairo   03:25

05. Twilight Of The Gods  03:27

06. Gabrielle   02:36

07. Blades Of Battenburg   02:39

08. Knights   03:24

09. Crimes Of Dr Cream   03:02

10. The King is Dead.   03:50

MP3 @ 320 Size: 72,4 MB
FLAC  Size: 202 MB

VOODOO DOLL LYRICS

These waters are dark, these waters are deep

deep as the glowering sky,

its shimmering sheen is not what it seems,

the stars have come here to die.

We're men with no name, taken in chains,

and fed to the great white whale,

swallowed up whole, body and soul

then disgorged where the white ship sails.

Dumbala knows, Dumbala sees, Dumbala hears our cry,

We've come from the sun to a sorrowful place

where the stars are cast out of the sky.

White is the wax, keen is the blade,

blue is the softening flame,

walk at my will, speak when I say,

come when I call your name.

Bring me a soul to make her whole,

a skin for dancing in,

cut me a robe from toe to lobe

and we'll hear the spirits sing.

PHANTOMS  LYRICS

Come in right for we are almost set,

rest assured you will have no regrets,

so many lads now lie in Flander's Fields,

and not every wound can be healed.

Move in close and meet the camera's eye,

make believe and give in to the lie,

that death is but a dimming of the light,

and we slip like shadows into the night.

Welcome friends for it is almost time,

dim the lamps and I will drow the blinds,

I sense the dear departed drawing near,

have you a message, friend, for someone here.

I have journeyed long and I have journeyed far,

from a fairy vountry where the fair thimgs are,

but ask no more, I say, no more of me,

we are in need of rest, so let us be.