PAUL ROLAND:BURNT ORCHIDS MINI LP 1985

Pastoral English psychedelia and fanciful lyrics that might have been inspiredby the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe or H.G. Wells are the ingredients in the mesmerising,melodic psychopop of singer/songwriter Paul Roland.Since 1979 Paul has been spinning his bizarre tales against an evocative backdrop of rock, psychopop, folk and, occasionally, baroque strings. His mostmemorable charactercreations include a crochety Regency magistrate, various19th century murderers, a retired executioner, an opium addict, and an entirecourt of medieval grotesques. But not all his dreams are dark. Among his morewhimsical creations are the eccentric characters on 'Happy Families' and theEdwardian inventor who sails into uncharted skies above 'Wyndham Hill'.His first album 'The Werewolf Of London' which boasted a penchant forhistorical historical and supernatural themes was picked up by Armageddon Records,who at the the time also had the Soft Boys on their roster. And it was there that Paulmet Robyn Hitchcock who later appeared on tracks for Paul's second album.After an abortive flirtation with the music business, when he was managed byDavid Enthoven and June Bolan, he returned to Armageddon for the minialbum 'Burnt Orchids'. Its title track was the first to feature Paul backed by a smallstring and woodwind ensemble, a trademark of his albums to date. The success of the album led to Paul's first tours in Europe and label deals inFrance, Greece, Italy, Germany, the USA and Japan. A series of diversealbums followed, including the acoustic based mini LPs 'Happy Families' and'A Cabinet Of Curiosities', the rockier 'Duel' (with its medieval-tinged three-song song suite 'The King Must Die'), the folk rock of 'Masque', the more commercial'Roaring Boys' and 'Strychnine', a minialbum of cover versions. This latest offering is a further glimpse into a unique and imaginative mind....

Mike Taylor, Foreword of the 'Sarabande' LP ...

Visit his website:http://web.tiscali.it/cross/paulroland.html

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