UK Tour 2025!
July 12, 2022
DIARY NOW OPEN FOR – FEB / MARCH 2025!
Contact: paulcowleybluesman@gmail.com
Gig Reviews:
Paul Cowley. BLUES IN BRITAIN
The White Room Music Cafe. Stanley
1st March 2024
In the intimate setting of The White Room Cafe Paul Cowley interspersed country blues classics with his original material. With local percussionist Finn McArdle adding subtle percussion. Paul had the audience in the palms of his hands – fortunate as the venue is so small that it’s like being in someone’s front room for a house concert.
Originally from Birmingham Paul now lives in Brittany but returns to tour the UK at least once a year. His music is firmly based in the country blues of the 1930’s & 40’s but he also writes his own material discussing his life & location in France.
The first set opened with “Memphis Jug Blues” and was immediately followed by the autobiographical “Long Time Comin”, a late starter song that was the title of his 2021 album. Switching to dobro Paul declared that he wants a “Simple Life” not like his fictional first wife who “had a tongue like a surgeons knife”, nor does he tolerate “Lies”, the jaunty pace of the tune belying the bitter lyrics about those who try to bury the truth. A cover of an early Ray Charles song “Confession Blues” was a highlight, along with several songs inspired by his surroundings in France.
The second set contained two new songs, “works in progress” as Paul put it. New they might be but “Big Hitter” sounded lively and “Time” made sensitive And moving observations about the ageing process as did the sad “Nellie May” later in the set. Paul’s last album Stroll Out West was the source of several songs played, none better than his adaptation of Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks Of My Tears”, a song that he said had been with him all his life. Amusingly describing the challenges of importing a guitar from the States to France, Paul delivered his tribute to his preferred instrument in “Franklin Nashville” before a spirited take on Son House’s “Deathletter” closed a delightful evening.
John Mitchell – BLUES IN BRITAIN. Issue 269 May 2024
PAUL COWLEY
THE GEORGE, BRAILES nr SHIPSTON
Saturday September 17th 2022
Making a long weekend from his long time home now in rural France came Paul Cowley.Originally born in the Midlands but these days runs his business, tours mainly around France, has his own studio built there and produces some very fine blues album, the most recent being the highly rated Long Time Coming. So with him he brought three guitars a stomp box and a bunch of great songs, from several originals to songs by the likes of Son Houce,Mississippi Fred McDowell,Bukka White, and Eric Bibb for good measure. He plays a superb version of what is believed to be Ray Charles first recording in ‘Confession Blues’. As equally at home finger picking as he is adept as a very fine slide guitarist, he brought a wonderful evening of blues to this lovely traditional Cotswold public house, withthe audience growing the more Paul played, and folk enjoyed all he did.
There are not only blues but some nice touches of the style of J J Cale in songs such as ‘Lies’, or songs about moving to France and setting up a new life in ‘One Way Ticket’, to the problems of getting his Resonator guitar from Franklin near Nashville. Went all over the place, until he finally had it in his hand’s some time later. His take on Bukka White’s ‘Jitterburg Swing’ is outstanding and brought much applause, not least from a patron’s dog who kept its eyes fixed on Paul. In fact earlier in the day he’d played at a party, so was well warmed up for this early evening gig.
Several songs from this latest album came into his set as well as one or two from a new release due later in the year. But as a songwriter like many he writes out of life and observations, the songs reflect him just as the old timey bluesmasters did, and that adds a firm authenticity to all he does. When taking songs by Carley Patton or Blind Willie McTell, his strong but deep voice deliver things as the should do.
Closing with a great version of Son House’s ‘Death Letter Blues’ Paul Cowley certainly deserves to be heard much more widely, he is a master of his craft. For this evening he could have carried on all night, but he had to move on, as he had a ferry back to France on the Monday morning. All I can say is do look out for Paul Cowley, when he tours here again,or maybe when your on holiday in France, or even stay at his B&B, he is the real deal, blues with a smile, a dry humour and a very talented musician. Come back soon Paul !
Pete Clack – Blues in Britain