PAUL & THE TALL TREES - So Long (Sky Blue Vinyl)

Paul Schalda is a poet, perhaps a bit of a tortured soul, a hopeless romantic,
and a guy from Staten Island. That last bit might not make sense to people who
aren't from New York. Let's say that it puts the blue in his collar and sticks his
feet to the ground. Paul's music seems to embody the unexpected overlap of
The Band's Americana, Ian MacKaye's unhinged emotion, Otis Redding's raw
soul, and the doo-wop melodies his father, Bill Schalda Sr. (a member of
Brooklyn vocal group, The Montereys) raised him on. His sophomore album is
produced by long time collaborator and old friend Tommy Brenneck and Big
Crown's own Leon Michels. For the people who are already fans of Paul's
debut Our Love In Light, the growth and maturity will be impossible to miss.
So Long reads and feels like you snuck in his room and read his journal.
Deeply personal and heartfelt, he takes on a variety of topics in the songs, the
common thread being the vulnerability and passion he delivers them with. The
opener "Although We Cry" is perhaps a perfect example what makes Paul's
music so unique. He finds a way to cut right to the bone, entirely emotional
and simultaneously emotionless."Although we cry, we are not meant to be".
The title track "Then We'll Wave (So Long)" puts Paul amongst the great
storytellers of song; tension, misdirection, and irony all play a part in taking
one of the most sung about topics in life; love, and putting a brand new twist
on it. Paul spent some years out on the road playing guitar in The Extraordinaires backing the late great Charles Bradley where they became close
friends. During that time he penned a few songs for Charles, one of which he
wound up recording himself. That song, "Beware" showcases another side of
P&TTT's range, a gritty, driving, warning tune where the band has a chance to
get funky. One thing you hear in Schalda's music, no matter which song, is that
the road hasn't been easy. His voice can be hauntingly harsh, yet hopeful and
tender, raucous and gravelly one moment, smooth and intimate the next.
Even though he is being compared to the famous groups and musicians
mentioned above, he can only call it Rock and Roll and be humbled. "I'm very
lucky to be able to do this," Schalda says. "And I'm extremely happy.
Especially for my father. He worked hard for his sons and this record."

Vinyl release of Paul & The Tall Trees - So Long (Sky Blue Vinyl). Released through Big Crown Records and available on LP.