GRIMM 2011
England's psychpop guru Paul Roland, dubbed 'the male Kate Bush' by one time label mate Robyn
All of the songs on 'Grimm' were inspired by the dark fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm but given a baroque chamber pop setting by Paul whose highly original character-rich narratives have earned him the title of the 'Edgar Allen Poe of Pop'. For the first time Paul plays all the instruments on the album and also narrates two stories which he re-wrote as spoken word bonus tracks based on two of the Grimm Brothers lesser known tales.
Paul Roland is a true storyteller and his voice, along with a perfect choice of instruments, guide us among the true essence of some of the most weird, odd and dangerous characters and places that
The music is catchy too, very catchy, but often it turns into something dark, gothic, and the strings and keyboards that we considered friends began suddenly threatening. Nevertheless we CAN'T leave...we MUST go on because we want to see what's going to happen next, and what the bizarre, pathetic, lovely, disgusting (you be the judge) of each song is going to do.
The lyrics are poignant, funny, grotesque and the plot is unpredictable. The ending is always a surprise. Roland's melodies are beautiful : they would work even played with a simple acoustic guitar.
Absolutely Unique! This is a perfect product of one of the most incredibly original storytellers of underground pop of all times! Particularly fascinating the narrative use of the strings and the ability
Paul Roland – Grimm
Label: Syborgmusic – sbm 016 - 3
Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 2011
Genre: Rock, Pop, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Ballad, Acoustic, Indie
All song written and composed by Paul Roland. All instruments played by Paul Roland.
Special guest: Rosie Eade, backing vocals. Spoken word interludes by Michael and Joshua Roland.
Album engineered and produced by Paul Roland.
Artwork by Ralf Jesek.
Illustrations by Arthur Rackman
Recorded at World's End Studios, Baden - Wurttemberg, Germany and Bag End Studios, England in Winter / Spring 2009 - 2010
TRACKS
01. Nevermore (intro) 2:24
02. If the Sun Refused To Shine 4:14
03. A Long Time Ago 5:24
04. Rapunzel 5:51
05. What Will Become of Me? 3:51
06. Lowly Weeps the King 4:00
07. Maleen 3:57
08. The Devil's Bride 4:25
09. The Way of the World 3:56
10. Once Upon A Time 5:31
11. Nevermore (Reprise) 2:09
BONUS TRACKS
12. The Elderly Mother (Spoken Word) 2:18
13. The Master Thief (Spoken Word) 10:17
STRYCHNINE 1992
PAUL ROLAND is a Crossover Prog, Progressive Rock artist from United Kingdom. Paul Roland biography German based UK author, composer and musician Paul ROLAND was born back in 1959, and at the age of 20 he made his official debut as a recording artist with the 7 single Oscar Automobile. An extensive set of releases would follow from the first full length effort "The Werewolf in London" in 1980 until he decided to concentrate on his author career in 1997.
His character creations include a Regency magistrate, various 19th Century murderers, a retired executioner, an opium addict, and an entire court of medieval grotesques.
Cult English recording artist Paul Roland, described as "the male Kate Bush" by one-time label mate Robyn Hitchcock, has released 10 albums for collectable labels such as Bam Caruso, New Rose and Imaginary in a low-key career that has seen him acclaimed on the continent but criminally ignored in his native country.
Guest musicians on Roland’s albums include Robyn Hitchcock, Bevis Frond, Nick Nicely, Knox of the Vibrators and Andy Ellison (of John’s Children).
Album success on labels such as Bam Caruso, Imaginary and New Rose led to Paul’s first European tours and releases in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the USA and Japan. He also received offers to work with film composer Michael Nyman and members of the Velvet Underground for which he penned the songs on his belatedly released 2013 album, ‘Bates Motel’, a collection of macabre tales with a sinister garage and psych rock setting.
Paul Roland – Strychnine
Label: New Rose Records – 422431
Format: CD, Album
Country: France
Released: 1992
Genre: Rock
Style: Indie Rock, Acoustic
TRACKS
01. Too Much To Dream (Written-By – The Electric Prunes) 3:55
02. Arabian Knights (Written-By – Siouxsie & The Banshees) 3:32
03. Iscariot (Written-By – Marc Bolan) 2:03
04. Strychnine (Written-By – The Sonics) 2:33
05. Young Girl Blues (Lead Guitar – Nick Saloman) (Written-By – Donovan Leitch) 4:27
06. Guinevere (Written-By – Donovan Leitch) 3:24
07. Lady Rachel (Written-By – Kevin Ayers) 4:08
08. Venus In Furs (Written-By – Lou Reed) 5:00
09. The King Is Dead (Written-By – Paul Roland) 3:40
10. The Great Edwardian Airaid (Written-By – Paul Roland) 3:05
11. Candy Says (Written-By – Paul Roland) 2:53
12. Ghost Ships (Written-By – Paul Roland) 3:39
MEMBERS
Bass – John Tracey
Cello – John Gallagher
Clarinet – Phil Smith
Drums – Simon Jeffries
Engineer – Rob Williams
Flute, Backing Vocals – Valerie Franco
Instruments [Arabian Instruments] – Ali Ben Shakzar
Keyboards, Percussion, Arranged By [Strings, Wind] – Chris Randall
Lead Guitar – Derek Heffernan
Lead Guitar (on Track 5 – Nick Saloman from Bevis Frond)
Painting – Henry Wallis
Producer – Paul Roland
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Nick Pye
Violin – Jenny Benwell
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Paul Roland
NOTES
New Rose Records
Produced and engineered at Elsewhere Studios, Kent, in July 1992.
"1992 Lithon Music © 1992 New Rose Records" (back).
"Fabrique an France par MPO" (disc).
GHOST SHIPS LYRICS
Jack he sits alone by the waterfront,
Waiting for the Ghoststip to come,
All his bags are packed
for a voyage from which he knows he wil never return.
Looming through the fog glides
the Ghost ship rotting from crows nest to keel,
Not a soul was seen to steer her,
Save a corpse lashed to the wheel.
The horned moon is pinned by its splintered mast,
Grey torn shrouds that once were sails,
Dead men stir from their sleep
in the holdtheir jaws lined with dust,
their song but a wail.
Their mouths hung by threads,
their eyes are a hollow,
calling Iike demons, restless in chains,
A Ghost ship cursed to sail on forevermore,
Timbers shriek but not with the strain.
GUINEVER LYRICS
Guinevere of the royal court of Arthur
Draped in white velvet, silk and lace.
The rustle of her gown on the marble staircase,
Sparkles on fingers, slender and pale.
The jester he sleeps but the raven he peeps
Through the dark foreboding skies of the royal domain.
Maroon-colour wine from the vineyards of Charlemagne
Is sipped by the queen's lips and so gently
Indigo eyes in the flickering candlelight,
Such is the silence o'er royal Camelot.
The jester he sleeps but the raven he peeps
Through the dark foreboding skies of the royal domain.
Guinevere of the royal court of Arthur
Draped in white velvet, silk and lace.
The rustle of her gown on the marble staircase,
Sparkles on her fingers both slender and pale.
The jester he sleeps but the raven he peeps
