These Ears And Eyes – The Debut Album by Paul Kahn, first released in 1999, to be re-released via Mighty Quinn Records on October 25, 2024
“…echoes of Dave Frishberg and Mose Allison.” – The Boston Herald
“…an uplifting and soothing journey. Paul’s picturesque songwriting touches the soul with universal themes.” – Catherine Russell
Paul Kahn’s decades-long career has been defined by a passion for roots music. Songwriter, working musician, music booking agency founder, music publisher, producer, writer, artist manager, and historian, Paul has worn many hats.
Stuart J. Rosenberg, the Chicago based musician, producer, radio host, and promoter, who passed away on May 7, 2024, at age 68, was one of Paul’s deepest collaborators and most enduring musical pals. Paul befriended Stuart while booking artists in the 1990s, when Stuart produced concerts.
In 1998, Stuart produced demos of some of Paul’s original songs, with a band that included the cream of Chicago area musicans. The sessions led to the 1999 release of the album, Paul Kahn: These Ears And Eyes. The release coincided with the 20th anniversary of Concerted Efforts, the boutique music booking agency founded and helmed by Paul Kahn. The album intrigued the music world, leading to features and glowing reviews in international outlets, including fRoots (England), The Jerusalem Post (Israel), The Boston Globe, and the music business weekly Pollstar Magazine. “His rootsy, old-time, mostly acoustic, swing-based string band arrangements, his deadpan vocals and his delight in word-play lend the effort a vaudevillian feel,” wrote Seth Rogovoy for Berkshire Eagle.
In 2024, Mighty Quinn Records will lend new life to These Ears And Eyes, re-releasing the album across all digital platforms, 25 years since its inception. In bringing new meaning to the proverb, good things come to those who wait, Mighty Quinn Records label head Jerry Roche explained, “you hear an artist who loves music. The joy is infectious from the first song to the last.”
Upon the initial release, Paul on guitar and vocals and Stuart on mandolin and violin toured to support the album included appearances at Montreal Jazz Festival, Quebec Summer Festival, and legendary venues, including The Bottom Line (NYC), Club Passim (Cambridge, MA), The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI), and The Iron Horse (Northampton, MA). Their appearance at Festival D’ete International de Quebec in July 2000 was notable for the addition to the ensemble of vocalist, mandolinist, percussionist Catherine Russell, who Paul had met earlier that year on a recording session by The Holmes Brothers.
Soon after the appearance in Quebec City, Catherine Russell joined David Bowie as a member of his band for world tours in 2002 -2004. Upon returning from David Bowie’s Reality Tour, Paul suggested Catherine Russell record as a leader, recruiting Stuart J. Rosenberg to produce and play on demos which turned into Catherine Russell’s debut album, Cat (2006). The album included Catherine’s interpretation of two new Paul Kahn originals, “Blue Memories,” and “The Poker.”
In 2010, Paul produced Catherine Russell’s third album, Inside This Heart of Mine, which included Catherine’s version of the song “November,” which originally appeared on These Ears And Eyes. Catherine attests to being drawn to “Paul’s picturesque songwriting, which touches the soul with universal themes.” Since then, Paul has produced or co-produced six Catherine Russell albums, two of which received Grammy© nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
Plans are now in the works for a new Paul Kahn studio album to be produced by Catherine Russell, returning the favor.
These Ears And Eyes: The Songs (all written by Paul Kahn, except 11 by Carl T. Sprague)
1. Bigger Than My Heart
2. Lovin’ You Way Too Much
3. These Ears And Eyes
4. Little Drops Of Water
5. Bear Of Orcas Island
6. November
7. Second Hand Smoke
8. Ginger Lee
9. Marmalade
10. Mr. Blues
11. Wayward Daughter
12. Shinnecock Canal