This past Sunday afternoon at Red Feather, he picks his deck of cover songs from a sleeve tailored especially for these brunch performances. This intimate, posh lounge environment calls for an atmospheric soundtrack as patrons sip on mimosas over eggs Benedict, and covers filtered through Mr. Paul’s haunting voice fit the location beautifully.
Regarding his repertoire of covers: as a songwriter himself, Thomas goes far beyond racking up a list of Lite FM or Classic Rock top hits, picking out a basic chord structure and repeating note for note what I could hear off my buddy’s iTunes account. He rearranges each one and makes it his own. Hearing “Toxic” through Thomas’ sleek finger picking and melancholic voice, I was impressed-as-usual by his brilliant writing. After two or three more listens, I remembered the song from a Brittany Spears music video I had seen years before—not a viewing experience I’m proud to admit. This new piercing arrangement let me appreciate the stinging melody and driving lyrics for what they’re worth. No longer the original dance-beat landscape where a busty Spears can shake her tailfeather, I can see how worthwhile “Toxic” can be.
Even the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” is reborn in Thomas Paul’s hands as he changes its tempo with a new strum pattern resembling an impatient toe-tap. It’s up and down like clockwork from a grandfather clock on speed. Or a ticking time bomb. Thomas’ simple rhythmic choice nicely suits Lennon and McCartney’s classic and takes it to a different level. The song’s thematic elements centering on the everyday life (and death) of hardworking people caught in a lower class struggle get new found strength when Thomas hits a new audience hard with the original message.
Thomas continues with “Subterranean Homesick Alien” by Radiohead, and though he’s only one guitar and one voice in a crowded brunch time venue, his sound still carries the visceral orchestral authority to make Thom Yorke proud.
When not playing solo, Thomas joins a long line of excellent talent at shows inside Boise and out. A great leader and sideman, he frequents Penguilly’s, Neurolux, Terrapin Station, Moon’s Kitchen and more with full bands varying in sound and genre as much as Thomas does from place to place and crowd to crowd. It’s all a choice in the cards he plays that night. Thomas Paul’s adaptability, witty banter between sets and ever-evolving style can keep anyone guessing about which deck he pulls out at a particular show, but rest assured it will be a solid performance every night. We’re lucky to have him in Boise.
For upcoming shows, visit Thomas Paul’s MySpace Page
