Paul's proud this CD made it to the finals of the Detroit Music Awards in 2012. He congrats the Winner Jim McCarty.
Preview/download all tracks by going to www.globalnationentertainment.com or www.ndjamzradio.com Herb's Bodega-Blues category
Hear a full new track at http://www.myspace.com/pauljmi
 Paul Miles - Healing VibrationsAlley Records
12 songs; 52:35 minutes; Suggested
Styles: Acoustic Blues
With this CD, remembrances of Richie Havens in the Woodstock 1969 movie immediately came to mind. Not since Havens spellbinding recorded performance have I heard steadily driving acoustic guitar and an emphasis on peace, love, and harmony. Detroits multi-talented, award winning Paul Joseph Miles has produced an all original acoustic set with music as infectious as Facebook. Throughout his 11th album, Miles showcases expert, nimble finger picking, poly rhythms, strummed chord progressions, and slide guitar while singing in a pleasant but slightly restrained voice.
I chose the one instrumental track, Desert Bloom, as the show opener for the March 31st edition of the Friends of the Blues Radio Show. I would not usually open the show with a song that runs just over six minutes, but this one created the kinds of moods and mental pictures appropriate for beginning a four-hour show. A "Desert Bloom" is a flower in an arid area, yet this song is only delicate enough to evoke the image of one until its one-minute mark. Then Miles's guitar accelerates into whirling notes and rhythms pummeling the air as fast as boxers pummel a hanging bag! This song is a thrilling ride!
The affair begins with Keep it Mellow," a title delightfully misleading even though the words in the title are mentioned in the refrain. Mellow songs are characteristically slow, soft, and soothing. This number thoroughly breaks all three criteria! Paul Miles's unstoppable train-track rhythms on guitar are anything but slow. Furthermore, his vocals include exultant whoops and high-pitched squeals at unpredictable moments. Those wearing headphones be ready! "Keep it Mellow" exudes a driving propulsion, not calm relaxation. It's meant to wake one up and compel one to dance! Witness Miless absolute mastery of blistering tempos and acoustic fire. Despite its name, this song is smoking hot!
Ironically, Cool Water" has a plea for relief more mellow than "Keep it Mellow." The title becomes a harmonizing-with-himself catchphrase that rolls right off of Miles's tongue like the liquid it represents. When first listening, one might think this melody is a simple ode to a hot summer day and its antidote. Perhaps, however, Miles is deeper, intoning the Biblical tale of Lazarus the beggar and the rich man. When the beggar and the wealthy citizen who had spurned him both passed away, the latter begged the former for a drop of water to cool his tongue because he was being tormented with "infernal pain," as Miles sings. Closing, Miles's guitar gave an ominous drum roll-like chord as he begs a final "Make it cooool."
Songs speaking more directly to the albums overall peace, love, and harmony theme include Heal with its opening slide guitar licks and wonderful mid-song solo. The world is going through a lot of pain; just like me every day...Heal. What Is the Message is full of introspection and verbal challenges to us all: Can you tell me What is the Message [of life]? And, Miles claims that one day well see the light in Itll Be Alright. More sweet slide opens Remember Blue about a late guitarist with a depth of emotion.
Not everything is totally cerebral; there is room for romantic love, too, as found in the up-tempo Just a Little Blues and Whatcha Wanna Do.
Unless Paul Miles is secretly Superman, his arm had to be tired at the end of this set of propulsive rhythms. What are not tired are my ears; theyre calling for a hit on the replay button!
Amy Walker contributed to this review.
Reviewer James "Skyy Dobro" Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ, Master of Ceremonies, and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show "Friends of the Blues" can be heard Saturdays 8 pm - Midnight on WKCC 91.1 FM and at www.wkccradio.org in Kankakee, IL.
Paul's goal is to get nominated for a Grammy Award in 2013. thanks for your support.
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