Review by Matt Joseph
We took a trip down memory lane while building this new website and found a review written about Paul when he'd just moved up to Queensland. One of his first encounters with punters from all parts of the globe visiting a beautiful tropical island resulted in this fine review by Matt Joseph. [Ed.]

Paul Lines
Paul Lines
[June 06, 2002] I encountered Paul's talent in a very unusual place — a resort island. I say unusual, because I think of resorts as being the refuge of cheesy musical hacks and their ilk. So you can imagine my surprise when I heard strains of Jeff Buckley drifting from the lounge.

It took me a moment to realize that it was not, in fact, 'Grace' on the CD player, and then I had to do a really fast reality check to remind myself that Buckley had, in fact, died several years ago. Because between the guitar playing and the voice, it WAS Buckley, as far as I was concerned. Paul seemed to be channeling the deceased singer/songwriter, and I was truly blown away.

The surprises kept coming, as he performed song after song from various artists in a voice as flexible and rich as any I have heard (and I have been to many, many concerts). One of the more surreal interludes was a Travelling Willburies song, in which he managed to authentically reproduce the voices of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison, all in the same song. At another point, while singing "Revolution", he sounded frieghteningly like Tracy Chapman.

But I have to say, I think it doesn't really give Paul credit to classify him as a gifted mimic. There were many, many songs he performed-- with only his voice and an acoustic guitar-- which were improvements on the original. I NEVER liked "Jessie's Girl" until I heard Paul sing it. He made Bryan Adams sound good to me. Michael Jackson's "Bille Jean" became classier. And the rockabilly of Cold Chisel felt deeper and more profound than their originals ("Flame Trees" was particularly good)

Although Paul only played a few of his own songs, from what I heard, I am definitely going to buy his EP once it is released. I hope he makes it big — he certainly has the talent to do so.