Duel * by Paul Roland (CD, Feb-2004, Haunted Forest)

The best known unknown song writer is one description I have seen of the unique Paul Roland.
Finding an old vinyl copy of his fist album, cut when just leaving his teens, The Werewolf Of London, is I believe, a landmark in the history of what we may loosley term popular music.
Roland spurns the I love you baby lyrics to write songs that are about something more.
His songs are literate and observant. In 'Duel' he is in his own territory, whimsical, observant and fascinated by the darker dreams of humanity.
'Nosferau' is a hymn to loneliness of the mythical vampire figure who is seen as a symbolical victim, created to be despised, for the mob to howl its questionable goodness. The songs are melodic and haunting. He touches on dark areas of dreams at odds with reality, especially in 'Reptiles' and the power of 'Knights' culminates in the masterful last line.
He is intrigued at the actions of dubious characters, as in 'The Crimes of Dr Cream' and 'Witchfinder General'. There is a reprise of the truly wonderful' Blades of Battenburg', where Miss Hsvisham seems to make a guest appearance.
My only gripe is the bonus tracks, I was greedy for more rather thsn different versions, so I ordered his anthology, 'Gaslight Tales', which is very generous in providing over thirty songs.
Ray Davies may be the masterful poet of the ordinary, with wry genius, but Paul Roland is an explorer of the imagination, with literary wit and musical nous.
I am astonished that he has not received more critical attention as he has found an inlet into a rich vein of possibilities. Adam Ant could prance about dressed as a highwayman, but Roland would turn it into a story of longing, loneliness, to show the skull beneath the skin.
He is inspired, observant and a compelling performer who has something to say in a style that he has made his own.
After wearing out my old vinyl of his first album, it was inded a deligt to see that other albums are still available and 'Duel' is a great introduction to his work and to paraphrase ne of his lyrics I hope that his whispers are more than faintly heard and he reaches a wider audeience that his unique talent deserves an does not 'sleep the sleep of the undead.'