​Paul Cauthen (from the album Black on Black

​Paul Cauthen (from the album Black on Black

​Paul Cauthen (from the album Black on Black available on Atlantic Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
Opening his recent release, single notes picked from an acoustic guitar let Paul Cauthen introduce himself with a black-clad resume; ‘got a black bandana, wrapped around my neck, for catching the sweat for being the shit’. A lonesome pedal steel cries out like a train-horn crossing the prairies, Paul’s voice nearly whispered so that you almost need to lean into the speaker. As the beats hit, Paul Cauthen spits a lyrical flow that adds to his cred, his demeanor as dark as his clothing and accessories. When a Gospel choir joins in, the vocals keep wrapping praise for the god in the song as the story closes out the with Paul’s deep baritone reliving the opening line of the song. The track sets the pace for its musical peers on Paul Cauthen’s recent release, Black on Black, every song rising to the challenge. Welcome to Paul Cauthen’s Country music. Over the course of five previous albums Paul Cauthen has developed a sound branded to him as he continues to be the ringleader for the character’s he creates in his stories. Over a quietly steady rhythmic groove he testifies on a bed of Country Soul to “Bet on Me” as he cradles “Black Roses” over a Country Western trail song, and finds the end of his highway cruising when he is ‘standing at the gates of heaven singing won’t you let me in’ as he weighs his options while he sends a farewell message to love in “Ridin’ the Line”.
 
Writing Black on Black on the road, the songs are part of the tour, the white line the only constant on the highway as Paul switched between motorcycle and tour bus. Recorded in his hometown of Tyler, Texas at Rosewood Studios with his longtime collaborator, Jason Burt, Black on Black introduces “My Sweetheart from the Trailer Park”, singing the praises of “Lavender Jones” on a snaking swamp boogie shuffle as it wrangles a distorted groove into order demanding “Everybody Get in Line” as Paul Cauthen shouts “Hot Damn” over street beats, exiting the album when he joins the chorus to cry out “To Whom to You Belong”” over the echo of an acoustic guitar. (by Danny McCloskey) 
 
Listen and buy the music of Paul Cauthen from AMAZON
 
Visit the Paul Cauthen website for more information