REVIEW: Paula Cole, Amen (Imago/WB)
- Michael Van Gorden
Where have all the cowboys gone indeed! Probably best known for the aforementioned song as well as her hit single "I Don't Want To Wait", and her stint on the Lilith tour, the former Peter Gabriel backup singer has really grown and matured as an artist.
Her latest work, Amen, opens with the pseudo 70's sound of the Love Unlimited Orchestra funk in "I believe in Love". But don't let the disco sound scare you. Unlike other so-called "Divas" of the 90's, Paula Cole can sing and emote without having to scream and screech. And she handles this great opening number with class.
The Paula Cole Band as they are called now, are on hand to support Paula through the many different musical styles she explores on Amen. The turntable scratch opens "Rhythm Of Life" and Paula tries her hand at rapping. The lite jazz sound of "Free" accompany the struggle on faces trying to help a loved one be more open, more free, and how one can become imprisoned by it. Tionaa Watkins, otherwise known as T-Boz from TLC helps out on background vocals during the bittersweet number "Be Somebody". The song opens up with a brutal yet, honest story of a boy who had so much promise, and yet is gunned down simply for what he saw. The singer trying to find a way, some inner strength to rise above it all: "And oh my God, what is this Madness? I will not let it kill my Gladness".
The outcome, of course, is one that has met with much resistance as far as Paula's fans and critics are concerned. That of looking to God for relief. Odd how when one sings about evil, most will say it is reality, and must be addressed, but when confronted with something they have a hard time believing in, they become less tolerant. Paula sounds more relaxed on this album, gone is the anger, or confusion, the inner turmoil of the past. Some attribute this to a new found interest in God. Whatever the reason, it has allowed her to expand her musical horizon, to look and express different sides of herself.
Other numbers such as "Pearl", "Suwannee Jo", and the silky smooth "La Tonya" fill out a great album of new music. Musically she is supported by The Paula Cole Band, guitarist Kevin Barry and drummer Jay Bellerose. Tony Levin on bass, Greg Leisz on pedal steel fill out the sound. Whatever it is that has inspired Paula Cole this time out really shouldn't matter. The music is what matters and this is the best album she has released.
