“Slow Train”
Released: December 2020
Michael Lind of The Blindfold Experience (https://twitter.com/theblindfoldex1)
Reviewed as part of the Brecon Indie Reviewer Team on Twitter
“Slow Train is a fantastic piece of music! There’s so much more to this than what I heard at first, when I just enjoyed a great song. Thanks to Paul’s series of videos breaking down the parts, I realised how much thought and design that went into this, as the Slow Train rolls down the Multi-tracks.
I love Paul’s enthusiasm, his passion really shines through! From the build up of the strings, blending staccato attacks with sweeping parts, the two percussionists competing, the layered parts of the bass and drums, it’s just astonishing. Great work, great song, just brilliant!”
Leigh Thomas, Solo Artist (https://twitter.com/LeighThomasAU)
Reviewed as part of the Brecon Indie Reviewer Team on Twitter
“With a polyrhythm of percussion and a flurry of strings, “Slow Train” takes us on a somewhat relentless journey both thematically and musically, as both an observer and a participant.
The scene is a drama, established brilliantly with a pacy score that harks back to a 1970’s style soundtrack, complimented with conversational saxophone and was guitar solos. Yet this musical drama underlies the mundane condition of ordinary existence, we we are all carried through twists and turns until we reach our inevitable destination.
This thought-provoking piece suggests that for most of us, life is not a rollercoaster, but a slow train.”
Drew Jarvie of The Delerium Trees (https://twitter.com/Delerium65)
Reviewed as part of the Brecon Indie Reviewer Team on Twitter
“Bossanova rhythms a la Henry Mancini, vocal harmonies a la The Beautiful South, floaty keyboards hinting at the Bacharach, coolness abounds in Slow Train.
Indeed, the Slow Train is picking up passengers and listeners along the way and there is plenty to listen to. Sultry saxophone, guitars and percussion, it could well be that passengers could join in with hand-held instruments.
A Band Called Paul (McDonnell) are taking a journey, we’d better all go as well.”
“In It For Money”
Released: February 2020
Michael Lind of The Blindfold Experience (https://twitter.com/theblindfoldex1)
Reviewed as part of the Brecon Indie Reviewer Team on Twitter
“”In It For Money” by A Band Called Paul is such a great song! As always Paul is brilliantly layering so much in to the song, still somehow making it sound so smooth and unified.
Catchy, humorous vocals over a great groove, it feels like I could listen to this forever and still discover new elements of Paul’s genius. Brilliant!”
Leigh Thomas, Solo Artist (https://twitter.com/LeighThomasAU)
Reviewed as part of the Brecon Indie Reviewer Team on Twitter
“An energetic fusion of soul and R&B underlies a very contemporary feel, as this song hits its mark with contrast and dynamics. A nice counterpoint is established between the smokey vocals over a groovy percussion, and chirpy horns, scratch guitar rhythms and running bass lines, give the song flashes of light in an otherwise dark and dingy scene, where the narrator has unapologetically sold his soul to the dollar.
The lines are somewhat blurred. Is he a businessman, or a criminal? And is there a difference? The theme is further reinforced with a wonderfully shot video featuring our smartly dressed, incorrigible subject behind shades and among shadows. Another wonderfully arranged and written work by A Band Called Paul.”
Drew Jarvie of The Delerium Trees (https://twitter.com/Delerium65)
Reviewed as part of the Brecon Indie Reviewer Team on Twitter
“With a 60’s vibe, production like Portishead, a Huey Morganish vocal delivery, some lovely orchestral backing, some great rhythm playing A Band Called Paul proves he’s not only ‘In It For Money’ but also in it for the music as well.
With his multi-instrumental and multi genre background Paul McDonnell uses his influences to brilliant effect and we’re all invited to take part. A great introduction to superb music!”