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Reviews
Paul Fisher
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Released: 28th May 2001.
Unless you're related to him, you probably won't have heard of him before. You may well never hear of him again - unless you go out and buy what is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Paul Fisher, a singer-songwriter from Haydon Bridge in Northumberland, has not had massive success just yet. Indeed this album was recorded in an attic in Chester Le-Street! His style is a blend of indie and folk, and whilst acoustic, he is much more than a "Quiet is the New Loud" bandwagon jumper. He supported Matthew Jay on the Newcastle leg of his tour.
The album charts major developments in someone's life right from the time of conception through to them going in to a hospice at the end of it all. The tracks logically follow on from one another, both in theme and in style.
First comes a song about conception - "Kennedy's Pond" - A beautiful instrumental track with a haunting vocal la-ing over the top which gradually builds into a stunning opening for the album. Then a song on the womb theme - "I'll Be Born" - undoubtedly one of the album's highlights which, after a few listens, makes you want to sing along to the "I hear you breathe?" chorus.
There follows songs on parenthood, sexuality, penance, holiday and malaise. The latter of these is a surprisingly upbeat song whichyou can almost clap to. The other 4 are somewhat more typical of thealbum, with the intro to the sexuality song, "The Garden Of Love," one of the finest moments of the album - until you reach menopause. Then the album reaches a height it has never before reached and stays that way through retirement to the final song - a song about hospice.
So, first, "Rose Marie," the song about menopause is the obvious single choice on the whole album, with a gentle good feeling thinking that, even though you are getting old, your loved one is still there for you. "The Trams Move On Regardless" - about returement- is a song about reflecting on the past - something we all should do, no matter how old. It contains the ultimate theme line, "Where have all the people gone who I knew when I was young? Some have gone for good and some - they're still struggling on."
Finally, the ultimate climax - saving the best until last - "A Patch Of Sun" - about hospice - which is arguably the most beautiful song ever released on an album this year.
