SOUNDCHECK
Vol. One - Issue 4
The following article is featured on Paul Cox's website Note-Music.co.uk and refers to the article written by Pete Feenstra for Soundcheck Magazine...
Always a fine live act whether fronting his own band or playing with John Slaughter or, years before, in Heart & Soul, Paul Cox has made a fine stab at establishing himself as a solo artist
While his debut "Ain't Nothing Doing" album was a fine introduction and marked the first collaboration between band and producer Roger Cotton, "REAL WORLD" is a notable step forward.
The bluesy title track works well, the horns kick in on "Heart Of Stone", there is a soulful take of Sam Cooke's "Change Is Gonna Come" and Paul adds a New Orleans feel on "Brickyard Blues".
But it's the closing "Rollin' Back The Years" on which the band make that connection with their powerful live show. Like Chris Farlowe before him Paul is a singer par excellence and his band is crammed full of superlative players from guitarist Mick Summerland to keyboard player Gary Moberley, and, of course, a killer horn section.
Perhaps what's required to square the circle is either a well chosen single or a live album. Either way this is another solid album from Paul, but he remains just a step away from the perfect showcase for his superb vocal style.
Pete Feenstra - Soundcheck Magazine