Paul Larson - Through The Window

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 19 / 8 / 2005

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It’s strange how music which we dismissed during our younger years because of various reasons ( the most common being because our parents liked that particular artist or genre) creeps up on us later in life and we realise that it wasn’t so bad after all and, dare we say, is actually quite good. John Denver was often played in our household in the early 70's and while his songs when performed by other artists were just about bearable Denver’s clean cut image meant there was no place in my life for his music. It wasn’t until as late as 1986 and ‘Flying For Me’ that I began to realise that his vocals were unique and that he was a songwriter of some importance. The reason I write all this is because there is no denying that although he wasn’t born until 1968 Paul Larson must have been greatly influenced by John Denver and also those more acceptable late 60's / early 70's acoustic singer songwriters like James Taylor. Denver and Taylor loom large over these songs and Larson is definitely from the same school of folk/country singer songwriters as those artists. That Larson is making music like this in 2005 and selling CDs at his gigs proves that there is still a market for this type of music and it’s not just older music lovers looking for the new John Denver that Larson appeals to. Larson says his musical education came from roaming around the mountains of Utah and wading through rivers writing poetry from the age of eight. After travelling and living all over America Larson went on to get a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and then a Master’s degree from The University of Michigan. It was in graduate school that he first had the opportunity to play in small venues. After taking a teaching position Larson continued to perform in clubs and small venues. Hooking up with bass player Jerry Scheff (Elvis Costello and Presley, Dylan, the Doors and John Denver) he released his first self produced CD, ‘Outside The Box’. Scheff also lends his legendary bass playing talents to some of the songs on Larson’s new and second album, ‘Through The Window’. What I find most astonishing about this collection of twelve Larson originals is how immediately accessible they are. It’s like rediscovering an old favourite album you haven’t heard for a while. At times the Denver likeness is apparent, at times it’s more James Taylor, but Larson's singing is always heartfelt and there is enough of Larson’s own voice in there to make him more than either a Denver or Taylor clone. It’s rare these days to find an artist making this particular sound, even rarer to find one that makes such an excellent job of it. Larson actually has the ability to transport the listener to those Rocky Mountains. His guitar playing is superb. He has an obvious talent for telling a story in the space of a three or four minute song ( the opening and title song, with just Larson’s vocals and acoustic guitar is a fine case in point) and his way with a melody is outstanding as ‘California Evening’ proves so well. But the three strongest songs are undoubtedly ‘When It Comes To Trains’ where he recalls his childhood days over a gentle but mesmerising melody ; ‘Walk With Me’ which adds horns and strings and therefore texture to the song, and ‘Going Home’ where Larson also takes the backing vocals and where any small doubts about his vocal talents vanish. Larson really does excel vocally on this song. It might be that there are hundreds of artists struggling in small towns throughout the world making this type of music; I have to confess I was unaware that anyone was still making music as pure and honest as this. But it’s very unlikely that if there are artists making music like Larson that they are doing it as well as he is. Once in a while a record comes along that takes your breath away for anyone of a number of reasons. ‘Through The Window’ did that for me and I’d be very interested in any recording Larson makes in the future.

Track Listing:-

1 Through the Window
2 California Evening
3 Out of the Blue
4 When It Comes to Trains
5 Perfect Day
6 The Wasatch
7 Fly by Me
8 Captain's Son
9 Good Time Girl
10 Regular Joe
11 Walk with Me
12 Going Home
13 Misunderstanding
14 Outside the Box

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