Mick Paul Promo short

Mick Paul - Parallel Lives
As part of Mick's Promotion material for his up and coming Live gig at:
Venue: Kolben, Strandliveien, Oslo
Date: 2022-10-29
Album Reviews:
"Let It Rock"
Venerated English multi-instrumentalist eventually ventures out on his own - in the company of friends.
It took Mick Paul more than four decades to become a writer in his own right - after playing on stage and in the studio with a string of prominent artists and then joining David Cross for regular ensemble albums such as "Sign Of The Crow" and one-off endeavors like "Another Day" that was laid down in the company of David Jackson. Both veterans are here, on the bassist’s first solo debut, which, nevertheless, doesn’t gravitate neither towards KING CRIMSON nor VAN DER GRAAF, while displaying all the symptoms of progressive rock fever.
'DPRP'
Although Mick Paul has been musically active since the late 1970s his early work was mostly as a session bassist and only really gained greater prominence when he joined the David Cross Band in 1995. As well as holding down the bass end of the music, Paul was also responsible for the production of several of the band's albums and was active participant in writing the material. However, it was only while working on the David Cross and David Jackson album Another Day in 2018 that he found he was writing songs that were very personal to him that felt and would be more suitably released on a solo album rather than put forward as ideas for other musicians to develop and adapt within a band project.
The main musicians playing on the album along side Paul are, perhaps inevitably, all people who have passed through the ranks of the David Cross Band and include Sheila Maloney (piano, keyboards), Steve Roberts (drums, percussion) and Jinian Wilde (vocals). Paul himself obviously handles the bass performances but also a lot of the guitar work. Additionally Craig Blundell drums on two tracks, Paul Clark plays the heavier guitar parts on two songs while David Cross (violin), David Jackson (flutes, whistles), Dennis Mahon (vocals) and Geoff Winkworth (guitar) all appear on one track each (although they are all different tracks!)
From the beginning it is evident that Paul is an experienced producer as the album sounds great, a wonderfully clear mix with good separation between the instruments and a great balance across the spectrum. This is no more evident than on the closing instrumental Morning Skyline in which every layer of drums, keys, bass and guitar can be differentiated, even when Maloney, Clark and Paul are in the midst of their solos. It is also a fantastic piece of music! Similar can be said of the other song to which Clark adds his guitar, Name On You, although there is a more ominous feel to this piece with the driving bass and guitar instilling a sense of impending danger, added to by the vocals of Mahon.
In many ways the overall musical style is similar to solo material by Jakko Jakszyk, with the vocals on Comfort Zone and Uncharted Course being particularly rendolent. Although Paul has no need to prove his ability, one can't be failed to be impressed by his solo performance on Cypher which uses the full range of the fretboards on his bass and guitar in a delightful composition that highlights his proficiency. As for the the two biggest name guests who also shame the same first name, David Cross saws his way through No Horizon (not on the title track as the album's credits claim) which does have quite a King Crimson feel to it. Fellow David, Mr Jackson, keeps clear of the saxes and restricts himself to flute and whistles which perfectly embody the free flying, twisting and turning motions of the Swallows that give the track its name. Although graceful, there is a degree of playful urgency. Jackson's performance is perfectly enhanced by the various keyboards employed by Maloney with Roberts and Paul providing a solid rhythm.
It is true to say that there is not a duff song on this first solo album by Mick Paul. The experience of recording the album and the ensuing results must have satisfied the core musicians of Paul, Maloney, Roberts and Wilde as they have formed a band together called The Fae and are currently working on material for a debut album. If it is as good as Parallel Lives it will be something to look forward to.
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