Upstroke For The 2024 Downfolk by Paul Cebar NEUF

Performer Notes:

• Paul Cebar & The Milawaukeeans: Paul Cebar (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, guiro, maracas); Rob Gjersoe (electric, lap steel & slide guitars, background vocals); Dan Newton (accordion); Juli Wood (alto & tenor saxophones, background vocals); Paul Scher (tenor & baritone saxophones, background vocals); Ron Kovach (Hammond B-3 organ); Terry Smirt (vibraphone); Alan Anderson (bass); Randy Baugher (snare drum, drums); McKinley Perkins (bass drum, congas, timbales, tambourine, shekere, cowbell, percussion, background vocals).
• Producers: Paul Cebar, Jeff Hamilton, The Milwaukeeans.
• Engineers: Jeff Hamilton (tracks 1-3, 5-6, 8-14); Steve Wiese (tracks 4, 7).
• Recorded at Guerrilla Recording, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Creation Audio, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Personnel: Paul Cebar (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, guiro, maracas); Rob Gjersoe (vocals, guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, steel guitar); Dan Newton (accordion); Julie Wood (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, background vocals); Paul Scher (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, background vocals); Randy Baugher (drums); McKiney Perkins (bass drum, congas, cowbells, shekere, tambourine, timbales, percussion, background vocals).
• Audio Mixers: Jeff Hamilton ; Steve Wiese.
• Recording information: Guerrilla Recording, Milwaukee, WI.
• Photographers: Francis Ford ; Seri Swenson.
• This is the second album from Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans. Like their debut That Unhinged Thing and like Cebars former group the R&B Cadets, Upstroke for the Downfolk fuses many rhythm-oriented styles like R&B, soul, blues, and jazz into an accommodating pop format. His style is very reminiscent of early period Van Morrison in that regard, although he doesnt get bogged down with the lengthy, mystical soundscapes that frequently inhabited Morrisons music. While his voice also shares similarities with Morrison, Cebar is noticeably more upbeat and funky than his Irish counterpart. "Didnt Leave Me No Ladder" is pop-funk number that launches this album but is not necessarily indicative of whats to come. "I Aint Ready" employs a Motown and 60s soul vocal group style while the very next track, "Run Wild, Breathe Easy," is heavy on Latin percussion and brass. "Bright Night Train" is a boogie number that wouldnt sound out of place in a ZZ Top set and "Blood and Water" continues the rootsy feel in a John Hiatt manner, replete with slide guitar by Rob Gjersoe. Cebar and Gjersoe share the guitar duties throughout this album, handling the varying styles with accomplished ease and respect toward their foundational influences. "Love Dont Have a Clue" possesses a Buddy Holly or Everly Brothers-like charm and appeal and the closing number, "Somewhere We Both Belong," is a tender acoustic ballad featuring Cebars gruff vocals -- which evoke more passion, soul, and believability than most of the processed and generic coffeehouse-types that NPR devotees have elevated to semi-stardom. Widespread fame has eluded guitarist, singer, and songwriter Paul Cebar thus far, but his talents and eclecticism are appreciated by the loyal cult following he has acquired. ~ Dave Sleger

Format: CD (1 Disc); Stereo

Country: USA

Studio/Live: Studio

Release Date: 4 August, 2016

Label: CD Baby

Dimensions: 14 x 0.6 x 14 centimeters (0.06 kg)