Look What You've Done - Paul deLay, Morganfield, M.
Brave Woman - Paul deLay, DeLay, Paul
Life Is Just a Struggle - Paul deLay, Douglas, F.
Life's Highway - Paul deLay, Big Walter The Thun
All Cried Out - Paul deLay, Burgin, Johnny
Come Down - Paul deLay, Vest, David
You Got Me So Bad, Baby - Paul deLay, Vest, David
Could We Just Shoot Your Husband - Paul deLay, DeLay, Paul
Can't Stand Your Evil Ways - Paul deLay, Oden, St.Louis Jimm
Lost in a Dream - Paul deLay, Brown, Buster
Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) - Paul deLay, Burnett, C.
You'll Be Mine - Paul deLay, Dixon, Willie [1]
Try Not to Kill Me - Paul deLay, Vest, David
These new live recordings by the Paul deLay Band capture the Northwest harmonica legend at the peak of his power as a live performer, and a great band at the top of its game. Released only weeks after deLay's untimely deat... more »h at age 55, the CD features 15 tracks from three different venues: the Untapped Blues Festival and the Sunbanks Festival in 2004, and a sold-out concert at Seattle's Triple Door in 2006, where the band earned several standing ovations. DeLay sidekick and co-frontman David Vest, who wrote most of the band's new material in later years, is featured on piano throughout and sings lead on four tracks, including the housewrecking Try Not To Kill Me, which had become the band's traditional closer.« less
These new live recordings by the Paul deLay Band capture the Northwest harmonica legend at the peak of his power as a live performer, and a great band at the top of its game. Released only weeks after deLay's untimely death at age 55, the CD features 15 tracks from three different venues: the Untapped Blues Festival and the Sunbanks Festival in 2004, and a sold-out concert at Seattle's Triple Door in 2006, where the band earned several standing ovations. DeLay sidekick and co-frontman David Vest, who wrote most of the band's new material in later years, is featured on piano throughout and sings lead on four tracks, including the housewrecking Try Not To Kill Me, which had become the band's traditional closer.
CD Reviews
A glimpse of the uncrowned king's genius....
Mike | Ewe-tah | 09/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I often said that Paul Delay's music was under appreciated in his lifetime, and that like many greats, his genius would only be widely realized when he is gone.
Unfortunately, that time has come much too soon. I was present at 2 of the shows these tracks come from, and was fortunate enough to see the Paul Delay Band live countless times while living in the northwest, including them playing a private function for my friends and family.
These performances give you just a sliver of the real live experience, just a glimpse of the man Paul was. The band is as cohesive as ever, and as much as I missed the last iteration of the Paul Delay band (heard on Heavy Rotation), this mix might just be better. Peter Damann delivers tasty work whether or not the spotlight is on him as he always has. David Vest brings something a little Dylan-esque to the mix along with his killer piano work. Dave Kahl provides the heartbeat, and drummer Jeff Minnick is exactly what he needs to be with the stellar performers up front - steady and unobtrusive. These guys are a band, not a star (or two) and a backup ensemble.
When Paul apologizes for "All Cried Out" being "...not a nice song" you get just a hint of what a character he was and his power for making the audience smile. In all the times I saw Paul and the band live he never failed to charm the audience, and he never failed to be gracious and kind to everyone he spoke to, his bigger than life stage presence giving way to a soft spoken gentleman who was genuinely interested in talking with his fans.
There are great covers on this CD, and some of the original work that showcases Paul Delay as a lyricist, not just a guy coaxing incredible sounds out of a harmonica. Paul and the band played traditional blues and they played their own brand of the blues- tinged with jazz and other musical influences, and the result is as unmistakable as Paul's harmonica work. Argue the merits of "traditional" blues all you want- but there is no argument that Delay was a pioneer in many senses.
One has to wonder if in some sense Paul wasn't taken early because he got a second chance in life - or if the causes of him needing a second chance didn't have something to do with his death. Regardless, this CD serves as the best available snapshot of Paul live- the power he had to bring joy or pain to the stage, the ability to twist your stomach into knots and then bring you a laugh. It doesn't replace being there in person, but snapshots never do.
RIP Paul.
Also check out The Other One, Paulzilla!, Take it from the Turnaround (which includes Paulzilla and The Other One), Ocean of Tears, Nice & Strong, Delay does Chicago (panned by some but it contains some gems), and Heavy Rotation - all should be available on CD. Also check out David Vest's Way Down Here and Serves Me Right to Shuffle - both contain Paul's amazing harmonica work and backing vocals. Listen for Paul's fills you young musicians, and how he plays off the lead, he was masterful."
Paul DeLay "Last of the Best"
olecat | nor cal | 02/21/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I only had the priviledge of seeing Paul Delay live once, but this cd seems to capture the spirit of his performance well. It's not as polished as his studio albums and his harp playing may not be as flashy but DeLay on a bad day was still better than 90% of todays harp players.The band rocks and it's definitely a must have for DeLay fans."
So Long, Bubba
olecat | 08/18/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Paul DeLay is one of the tragic, yet classic, personalities of the Northwest blues scene. Before his untimely death, The Big Man touched the life of every person he met. Inspired by St. Louis Jimmy, and Harmonica George Smith, among others, the Pride of Portland was the master of the hard to play Chromatic. This posthumously released CD captures the live energy of one of blues hardest working bands. It's hard to single out any song as definitive, for Paul *always* gave plenty of room for his band mates to shine, Check out the tasty licks of his long-time running partner, guitarist Peter Dammon and barrel house keyboard virtuoso David Vest. Paul DeLay left a legacy of original songwriting, inspired harp-playing and soulful vocals that have left an indelible legacy. So Long, Bubba."
One of the Best
G. K. Taylor | Scappoose, OR USA | 08/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those that like great harmonica blues, this is a great recording. Paul is backed by some incredible musicians and really makes you feel the music. Paul Delay had a distinctive style, which this recording shows off admirably well."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1