NOW AVAILABLE 5/24 release.
10 original tracks reflect big life lessons from Paul’s six decades on this good earth. Musicians in London, Milan, Paris, Buenos Aires, LA, Austin, and Oregon collaborated with him. Links to songs and videos below…
Album cover: illustrated from Helen P Matos’ gracious sharing of her beautiful photo of her daughter, exemplifying “Smiles That Pass By”.
“Smiles That Pass By”………..
We’re informed many times a day why we should not be happy. Yet, regardless our circumstance, we can fight that very noisy and negative narrative, by opening our senses to what’s good around us.
Play audio … or … watch music vid
“Assumed It Would Happen”
Do you recall a magical moment, years back, with someone, someplace? Most of us just Assumed It Would Happen, again and again:)
Play audio or watch music vid
“Bad Cards”………..
(We all get dealt bad cards, life can really suck for us all. Most happy people are not in a good place by chance, they get there through perseverance, hope, and perspective.’"
Play audio … or … watch music vid
“Will Not Pretend” …
(Friendship is a nebulous, ever-changing phenomenon, evolving in ways I’d not anticipated. Kudos to pianist JD Duncan for his score and play, and Jeff Johnson’s guitar accompaniment. Play audio … or … watch music vid
“Smiles That Pass By” …” We’re informed many times a day why we should not be happy. Yet, regardless our circumstance, we can fight that very noisy and negative narrative, by opening our senses to what’s good around us. Music video
“Island Strumming” … Whether it’s the San Juan’s, Bermuda, Bahamas, the Hawaiian Islands, or “name your island”, something special happens when I’m surrounded by water, and moving among the many gentle souls who live there. This song is dedicated to the people of Lahaina, and a reminder to all of us to find our happy place - and get there once in a while, whatever and wherever.
“Call Us What You Please” … Sooo many have worked sooo hard, for sooo many years, and DESERVE some guilt-free celebration. A fresh look at the next decade, or two, or three? Why not?
“Smiles That Pass By” …” We’re informed many times a day why we should not be happy. Yet, regardless our circumstance, we can fight that very noisy and negative narrative, by opening our senses to what’s good around us.
“Loving a Child” … One of the greatest challenges faced by adults is determining when to send a young one into the wild, giving ’em just enough, but not too much. Trusting them to take the paths they choose, many of which we could not have imagined.
“Yesterday’s Winners” … There’s lots of pressure to achieve, win, dominate, be #1, blah, blah, yada, yada. Much of that pressure is B.S. and there’s a healthier mindset that enables a better life for all of us.
“Big Ass Serving of Humble” … There’s plenty of reasons people talk too much, or attempt to impress us with their mastery of subjects. Maybe you’ve known someone like this? Apparently, they’ve not been served a large-enough slice of humble pie.
“Miles Between Us” … Once upon a time, a young couple was separated by 950 miles, by choice and circumstance. An honest phone conversation established a mutual desire to eliminate that gap, and so the road trip began to get back together. That was 42 years ago, and we remain happily married.
Thanks for looking, listening, pondering, and sharing.
All about putting smiles on faces, entertaining, and inspiring good stuff along the way.
Album credits: kudos to Paul Brainard for his pedal steel and lap steel guitar mastery, Ji Tanzer’s drumming creativity, Adam Sizer for his multi-instrumental and collaborative skills in producing this album, JD Duncan/piano score and Jeff Johnson/guitar licks on Will Not Pretend, Nick Nourigat/guitar licks on Bad Cards, Irina Sensah/backing vocals on Loving a Child, Juan Ferrerez/Cello on Loving a Child and Will Not Pretend.