Grammy-Award winning, singer/songwriter Paula Cole rediscovers her love of music with her new CD, Courage, her first album in eight years. When asked what Courage means to Paula Cole, she says the word was her daily man... more »tra when recording the record, making for a fitting title. Simply put Cole says, "I am searching for the truth. Somewhere, it's in the music." An intimate and heartfelt collection of songs, Courage is poised to re-establish Cole's seminal role among the top female recording artists today. Delivered with raw emotional honesty, the singer reveals a rare, disarming vulnerability with these eleven new songs. Her arresting vocals and top-notch songwriting also shine, with highlights including "Comin' Down," the striking opening track (co-penned with guitarist Dean Parks), "14," the memorable anthem co-written with Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Roger Waters), and the confessional "El Greco" (co-penned with Mark Goldenberg). The album also features guest appearances from the legendary Herbie Hancock on the haunting track, "Lonelytown," renowned producer David Foster, who guests as pianist on "In Our Dreams," the distinctive vocals of Paul Buchanan of Blue Nile fame on, "Until I Met You," and the Brazilian singer/songwriter Ivan Lins on the samba-laced, "Hard To Be Soft."« less
Grammy-Award winning, singer/songwriter Paula Cole rediscovers her love of music with her new CD, Courage, her first album in eight years. When asked what Courage means to Paula Cole, she says the word was her daily mantra when recording the record, making for a fitting title. Simply put Cole says, "I am searching for the truth. Somewhere, it's in the music." An intimate and heartfelt collection of songs, Courage is poised to re-establish Cole's seminal role among the top female recording artists today. Delivered with raw emotional honesty, the singer reveals a rare, disarming vulnerability with these eleven new songs. Her arresting vocals and top-notch songwriting also shine, with highlights including "Comin' Down," the striking opening track (co-penned with guitarist Dean Parks), "14," the memorable anthem co-written with Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Roger Waters), and the confessional "El Greco" (co-penned with Mark Goldenberg). The album also features guest appearances from the legendary Herbie Hancock on the haunting track, "Lonelytown," renowned producer David Foster, who guests as pianist on "In Our Dreams," the distinctive vocals of Paul Buchanan of Blue Nile fame on, "Until I Met You," and the Brazilian singer/songwriter Ivan Lins on the samba-laced, "Hard To Be Soft."
Martha J. Nazzaro | Rockport, Massachusetts | 08/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I spotted Paula in Rockport Massachusetts last week....I live there during the summer and I knew that she grew up there and still visits frequently. I "googled" her and discovered that this new album was out. I immediately bought it and can't stop listening to it. The tracks are sexy, hypnotic, jazzy, meaningful, addicting, exciting....just amazing!
I'm so glad she's back....better than before and ready for big big things to come. Paula, if you're reading this....get ready for the grammy's!!!
Please buy this record and listen to it over and over again...Play it while on the treadmill or at an itimate candlelit dinner party. Something for every music taste.
"
A worthy return to the music industry
KHE | Connecticut | 09/19/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Unfortunately, too many people just know Paula Cole as "the girl who wrote that Dawson's Creek song." I strongly encourage everyone to give this disc a good listen. Her familiar brilliant songwriting, musicianship and singing voice are all here and after listening to her music, I somehow always feel more intelligent. It's always smart, but not inaccessible. To listen to her music, you really do have to "smarten up." The tragedy of so much music these days is that you have to "dumb down" to listen to it and so much of it seems as if it's being prdouced with the lowst common denominator in mind, and thankfully, Ms. Cole doesn't do that. Definately worth the buy!"
Gush, gush, gush!
Coleen Forward | LA, CA | 07/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard Paula as back up singer for Peter Gabriel. The depth of her talent is astounding. Not only does she have an AMAZING voice, but her songwriting & poetry stand alone. I wept through El Greco, because she was singing my life. Very cathartic & inspirational! I've bought it for four people so far (all musicians) and we are all certifiably addicted. I would expect this to be a multi-winning Grammy album. THANKS PAULA! You have once again blessed us all!"
Welcome back
Laura Gail | Greenfield, Ma United States | 10/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard Paula Cole the night before her first CD was released when she performed with Peter Gabriel on his "Secret World" tour. I went out the next day and bought her CD. I have loved her work since that night many years ago at the Tweeter Center.
Like all of her albums this one has some songs I just want to play over and over and over again, and some that I don't really like. She is a true artist, constantly testing the limits of what she can do with her music. I don't mind those less than perfect songs because of what they lead to in future songs.
I didn't know that Paula had anything new out, and happened to see this in the store. I promptly put back the CD I had gone out to buy, bought this one, and ran home. "Comin' Down" gave me goosebumps, but it was "El Greco" that made me sit in the middle of my livingroom floor and weep. Yes Paula, you've done a damn good job of "feeling emotions in a deeper shade...(of being) the one who puts them to song, and liberat(ing) the heartache comin' down."
Thank you--and welcome home, we missed you."
Another Heart
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 08/25/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Paula Cole's new CD has excellent tracks, among her best work. Produced by Bobby Colomby whose work I first noticed as part of the classic band Blood, Sweat & Tears, "Courage" is a bit softer in tone. It does however intensify in terms of emotional wallop. My favorite track was written with Greg Phillinganes. "Safe In Your Arms" is such a lovely happy ending song with David Palmer's piano accenting the strong midtempo beat as Paula sings expressively, "It don't matter how strong I think I am, I always need another heart to bind me to the moment, to help me see myself." The opening track "Comin' Down" has a beautiful melody and a humbling lyric, "I'm free here in the mountains of peace may I be; I see the greatness above and the smallness of me. So free, here in the garden awake consciously, I see the greatness within; the greatness in me." Other tracks are also very strong like "I Want to Kiss You" with its breezy melody flamed with desire. "Lonelytown" sounds like an old-time jazz track from which a torch singer would milk the emotion. Paula does a lovely job with it. "Courage" is a fine return, different from her earlier work but exquisitely rewarding with its depth & beauty. Enjoy!"