An Open Letter from The Rev. A. Revenant, concerning Christopher Paul Stelling’s release of Songs of Praise & Scorn
Dear Reader,
It gives me great pleasure to announce to you that: These are Songs of Praise & Scorn, and although they have always been amongst us, they are being offered to you now for your fair consideration. Christopher Paul Stelling, author of said Songs is both glad and pleased to see their release. Our authors’ life and journey, in so much as these Songs are concerned, is somewhat irrelevant, so I won’t go on to trouble your good sensibilities, dear Reader, with mere hyperbole and assumed facts.
I will also spare you the usual approbation concerning my appraisal of Mr. Stelling’s aptitude as composer/lyricist/singer/guitarist, as I am sure that the evaluation of such matters, you yourself will take great pleasure in surveying. That being said, I would like to ensure you that Mr. Stelling wishes you and yours well and in good health.
One thing which I’m sure you and I will most certainly agree upon concerning Songs of Praise and Scorn is that therein lies a narrative which nurtures a landscape both static and mutable, in which one who lucidly sets out upon their path can all at once feel both safe at home, and abandoned in some foreign and forgotten place. Like hungry ghosts, these songs have an inconsolable longing to find rest- they are imbued with an urgency, as are all living things, when confronted with their own most recently recognized mortality.
These recordings where made in a matter of days in the wet heat of August in an apartment located above a functioning funeral home in Louisville, KY which has been in constant operation since 1848. At times the recording sessions would cease for various intervals out of respect for the family and friends of the recently departed, who would gather below to say their final farewells. After said observances, the sessions would resume again and carry on late into the summer night and early morning.
All that the author asks of you, dear Reader, is this: that you treat these things with care. Treat them as both fragile and indestructible; as both ancient and unfounded. Hold them in your kind, tired hands and watch them spin as if propelled by some yet to be named, hidden and benevolent friend. Please, let yourself find comfort in their unmeasurable embrace so that they may find their life in you.
Sincerely yours in friendship,
Rev. A. Revenant
“The musical storytelling of Christopher Paul Stelling embodies a long road full of lush folkloric, mythological and religious imagery.” —WNYC
“One of the most talented young folkies around.” – Daytrotter
“heart-plucking stylings of an acoustic troubadour” – New York Magazine
“Every song on his debut album Songs of Praise and cooks with both down-home comfort and avant-garde brio, Stelling building earthy folk troubadour stories over a fluster of wild arpeggios.” – Village Voice
“…Stelling has put together an album that will hopefully draw people to live performances where they can see what a real self-contained, modern-day troubadour looks and sounds like. Songs of Praise and Scorn is a fine way to introduce someone who should be a voice to be reckoned with in the years to come.” – American Songwriter
“His intricate finger-picking style and emotional, sometimes howling, vocals are sure to leave you awestruck.” – Miami Herald
“…it wasn’t until Christopher Paul Stelling performed that the final emotional wall came crashing down. As though he was reliving every emotional moment that went into the creation of each of his songs, he dug deeper than I’ve seen just about anyone, and everyone in the room was channeled into every second…” —NY Press
“…organic, southern Gothic-meets-classic folk vibe. Everything about his performing style and songs was inspiring, refreshing, and also blissfully familiar…” – Beyond Race Magazine
“There is a reverence in and of Christopher Paul Stelling that is immediately perceptible. It’s striking and it’s powerful. It’s a draw. It’s a magnetism that sucks you right into the landscape that he sees.”
- Sean Moeller, Daytrotter Founder
“…we’ll be hearing about this soul-tugging troubadour for some time to come.” – My Old Kentucky Blog
“…his folkie ramblings, growled with stark emotion over finger-plucked guitar melodies, sound like they should be coming from the gabled front stoop of a Southern swamp-side bar.” – Stuff Boston
“Stelling is a troubadour in the truest sense. His songs find their roots in the storytelling methods of southern folk music. His meticulous finger plucking guitar playing couples well with his commanding vocal style as he weaves the two around stellar songwriting that encompasses subjects near and dear to early American folk artists.” – NBC New York
“beautiful and touching in an understated way.” – WYEP (Pittsburgh)
“like a campfire, he is mesmerizing, slightly dangerous and always a good time.” – NBC New York
“His abstracted folk is simultaneously alternative and traditional. Along with echoes of John Fahey, the spirit of old frontier ghosts can be heard in all their strife and nobility.” – Orlando Weekly
“The amount of talent that comes from Christopher Paul Stelling is difficult to put into words… press play to any one of his songs, and immediately you will find yourself transported to a place you will never want to leave.” – The Vinyl District
“Songs of Praise & Scorn evokes images of ghostly ruin and delicate beauty under endless empty skies.” – Music Connection
“The balance between beautifully crafted ballads and fast-paced jams on Songs Of Praise And Scorn is perfect…” – The Aquarian Weekly
“Songs of Praise & Scorn is a gem of a guitar-driven folk storytelling” – The Owl Magazine
“With Songs of Praise & Scorn, Stelling captures the true essence of American folklore and proves with this album, that he is quite the force of nature this music industry needs.” – This Coast Magazine
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[flag_titles size=]RELEASES[/flag_titles]
Christopher Paul Stelling
Songs of Praise & Scorn
ML013
Out: 2.21.11 [cd, vinyl, digital]
Purchase [cd=$10/vinyl=$15]
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Christopher Paul Stelling
Daytrotter Session
[12/14/10]
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[flag_titles size=]TOUR DATES[/flag_titles] 8/10- Ardmore, PA – Milkboy Coffee Ardmore. w/ Black Horse Motel
8/23- NYC- The Mercury Lounge. w/ Shovels and Rope
9/4- Brooklyn, NY- Glasslands Gallery. w/ The Loom, Group of Altos, Death Blues
9/6- Clinton, NY- Hamilton College: The Barn
9/8- Private Event
9/12- New Haven, CT- BAR
9/14- Utica, NY- Utica Music Fest
9/15- Saratoga Springs, NY- Cafe Lenna
9/17- Portsmouth, NH- The Red Door
9/22- Rochester, NY- The Bug Jar
9/23- Erie, PA- The Crooked I
9/24-OFF
9/25- Canton, OH- The Auricle
9/26- Barnesville, OH- Albert S George Youth Center.
9/27- Cincinnati, OH- TBA
9/28- TBA
9/29- Chicago, IL- The Ace Bar
9/30- Dekalb, IL- Otto’s
10/1- OFF
10/2- TBA- Rock Island, IL
10/3- Spring Green, WI- Sh*tty Barn Sessions. w/ Pioneer
10/4- Minneapolis, MN- Bryant Lake Bowl
10/5- Milwaukee, WI, Franks
10/6- Columbus, OH- Kerouac’s
10/7- OFF
10/8-Thomas, WV- The Purple Fiddle
10/9- Charlottesville, VA- The Garage
10/10- Richmond, VA- The Camel
10/11- Washington, DC- Ebenezers Coffeehouse [flag_titles size=]LINKS[/flag_titles] official site
cps on bandcamp
cps on youtube
cps on facebook
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girlie action press site [flag_titles size=]CONTACT[/flag_titles] Label: jonnyleather [at] meccalecca.com
Booking: brian [at] blackbirdartistsagency.com
Press: spencer [at] girlie.com
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