Paul Kaplan – King of Hearts
This isn’t a new recording, but a self-produced reissue of a live acoustic folk set performed by Paul Kaplan (vocals/guitar/cuatro/harmonica) with friends at the Greenwich Village, NY Musicians’ Cooperative at Speakeasy, recorded by Claude Demers Feb. 8, 1985.
There are 13 songs on King of Hearts (Drops Feb 1/Old Coat Music/49:03). Mr. Kaplan, who, in his 50-year career, won 11 ASCAP Awards, said he reissued these songs after 40 years because he felt the songs were still relevant. Yes, there are some politically tinted tunes, but many also deal with the little dramas of falling in love, folk legend Phil Ochs, & humor about taking out the garbage when you go with the same audience participation as Strawbs’ classic “Part of the Union.”
Originally released as vinyl, the CD has the story behind the LP & gives folk music aficionados a chance to revisit it. The recording, its production — all pristine with Paul’s voice: clear. He’s a cross between the traditional Tom Paxton & the creative Bob Lind (“Elusive Butterfly,” “Cheryl’s Comin’ Home”), especially on “The King of Hearts.” He’s purposeful with simple & unified tunes as “I Will Keep You Warm.”
As the concert proceeds, Kenny Kosek’s fiddle adds color to “Blow, Winds, Blow.” A simple, optimistic tune. Not all folk songs have to be radical, or anti-war, but offer a lesson, a story or the value of reminiscing. “I’m Feeling Blue” isn’t even a full-fledged folky but a song shaped out of the ashes of the balladry of the Big Band/Swing era, where Bob Eberle could’ve done this one.
Paul touches on some controversy, but he’s basically a light-touch artist. Nothing that would upset tender ears & personalities. He stretches his artistry to sing dusty songs that would fit comfortably in the oeuvre of Fairport Convention, The Strawbs & Steeleye Span — “Heather On the Moor” sounds very John Renbourn, Bert Jansch & Richard Thompson. Old English balladry filled with old-world melodic tradition & charm.
Paul entertains – his voice is well-articulated, & his traditionalism never veers into something old-fashioned. “I Had An Old Coat” is a fine example. The album is a bit nostalgic, but the music is good, the performance was captured well & since it was recorded in the ‘80s & not the ‘60s, it doesn’t sound too dated. The audience certainly had a good time. Even if the re-release becomes a souvenir, that would be a compliment.
Highlights – “I Will Keep You Warm,” “Blow, Winds, Blow,” “I’m Feeling Blue,” “The King of Hearts,” Take Out the Garbage When You Go,” “Heather On the Moor,” “I Had An Old Coat,” & “Money.”
Musicians – Mark Dann (bass), Robin Greenstein (vocals/banjo), Ed Baker (piano/Yamaha DX-7), Larry Cole (bagpipes), Lisa Roth (tambourine) & the Speakeasy audience (bgv).
Photo of Paul’s face on the playing card courtesy of Alan Beck & the card by Brian Rose.
CD @ Amazon & https://paulkaplanmusic.com/home