PAUL BURCH IS A "FOOL FOR LOVE

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Fool For Love by Paul Burch

Paul Burch is an interesting artist who mixes elements of Country, Folk, Blues and British Invasion to make very likable music.  Although melodically his tunes are derivative of those by pioneers like Hank Williams, Charlie Rich, Gram Parsons and (sometimes) John Lennon, Burch is imaginative lyrically—enough to make these songs feel totally original.  Released in 2003, Fool For Love is not a knock-out, but it succeeds simply because Burch has an arsenal of many influences and isn't afraid to use them.  And since most people won't be able to pin down any specific inspiration, they are likely to be moved by the diversity the album presents and Paul Burch's sugary vocal, which has just enough vibrato to make an okay voice sound pretty good.  

If you only have fifteen minutes to kill, listen to "Lovesick Blues Boy," "Bad Girl Like She Used To Be" and "Time To Cry."   

Fool For Love by Paul Burch

THE BEST FUNK/SOUL COMPILATIONS BY "VARIOUS ARTISTS"

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I know, I know—it's tempting to always put on Mothership Connection and anything by George Clinton.  But I'm telling you, if you like Funk/Soul music, the compilations are the way to go.  Back in the day, I was skeptical about any "Various Artists" records.  I was an album purist and you would be hard pressed to ever find me listening to a Greatest Hits album, let alone a compilation serving up selections by many bands.  Now, my perspective is a little different.

Here's the thing.  There's so much music that never found a wide audience.  It doesn't mean it wasn't any good—in fact, a lot of it is wonderful.  A band's lack of commercial success could be attributed to a variety of reasons. It could be bad timing.   The label could have went bankrupt.  Maybe the A&R who signed the band retired and the new guy doesn't like the music.  Maybe the radio programmer doesn't like the way the label head wears his tie.  You know what I'm saying? 

Anyway, there are some labels that specialize in compiling some of the best B-sides, rarities and misses onto one record.  Listening to these records is often a sureal experience.  You have to hear this music 

California Funk 

Cold Heat 

Strange Breaks And Mr. Thing

Strange Breaks And Mr. Thing II

Truth And Soul Presents: Cinematic Soul

Best Of Perception And Today's Records