Reviews and News
Source: Maverick Magazine, October 2009 (UK)
Review: Bluebird - 3 Stars (***)
"An Album which creates a feeling rather than a trademark sound, it's the music of a lazy summer's day with its on in-built good feeling."
Life would be much simpler if Paul Benoit were an out and out blues musician. But the fact is he's not and while this latest album may appear simple in construction and philosophy, ultimately it defies easy labeling.
The blues of the title track create a feeling rather than a trademark sound, it's the music of a lazy, hazy, flyblown summer's day, a track that comes with its own in-built good feeling.
Bluebird is Benoit's 5th solo album in a careers spanning two decades, hardly a prolific output and there's certainly nothing to suggest undue haste on here. You get the feeling that every note and line is exactly how Benoit wants. For Paul Benoit, deadlines may be an aspiration rather than a prerequisite. He is a musician with a light and deft touch, tracks like There's No Fallin has a life of its own and the wonderfully delicate guitar which seems to be playing somewhere in the distance, cast its own shadow over the song. Everything about Bluebird is relaxed, stylish, intelligent and most importantly, just right.
Without being obvious or overblown Benoit makes his points, If Love is A Stranger provides one of the album's hypnotic moments, you may well find yourself leaning in so as to not miss a word. As the penny drops, Paul Benoit has only released five albums in over 20 years because each of the 11 tracks has something to say that is worth listening to, Bluebird is an album that demands the full attention of artist and audience and that takes time. ~MM
##
Back to Reviews & News