Paul Alan Coons - The Ride Of
Life
Review By: George
Peden, CSO Staff Journalist
There’s a bit of mileage on the clock.
There’s some water under the bridge. And, yes, some hard yards
played. But you suspect it’s a life lived fully. Paul Alan Coons
is back with his third album, The Ride Of Life. Out on
Universal Sound Records and co-produced with T. Jae Christian, the
14 tracks share the joy, the pain, the gratitude, the hurt and
loss of life. It’s an album honest, open and revealing. It’s,
aptly, the ride of life.
Coons has a deep, rich and melodic voice. But
then he’s had the practice. The former 21-year serving Air Force
member began his musical apprenticeship at 9. Following the path
of his father who was an entertainer, Coons quickly found singing
and banging on a base drum made the kind of joyful noise he liked.
Stints in the New York State–All State Choir and as a drummer in
his school’s marching band all cemented the route towards a
later-in-life career in country.
Fast forward to now. Coons’ ride of life has
seen him move slowly but surely since he cut his first tune in
Nashville in ’77. He’s now enjoying global play of his music,
and with several notable Independent music awards, namely a
Country Music Artist of the Year (2001) from Germany, the father
of two daughters again proves that with his music, the ride takes
time.
Contributing ink on five songs, Coons has put
together an album of thoughtful and memory prodding songs. Tunes
like “Reflections”, where life is looked at, examined if you
will, only to show there’s much to be thankful for. “Mickey
And Me”, a Jimmy Whitaker and Dan Johnson co-write, is a simple
but standout tune. It flirts with notions that life, if lived
through the eyes of a kid, a kid with a Disney bent and a Peter
Pan imagination is not a bad recipe for life. More mood movements
come with “This Faded Flower, a Jimmy Whitaker and Jayne McQueen
co-write. Telling of sadness, hurt and lonely pain, the tune, so
richly metaphorical, reminds us faded flowers never lose their
beauty…if we but remember.
Coons’ “The Ride Of Life”, a slow and easy
piano-led piece, shares homespun truths of honesty and kindness,
while reminding us if there’s any good we can do on the journey
let’s do it now. Around a table designed for a good purpose,
“If This Old Table Could Talk” is another tune of sharing and
caring. Listen out also for Coons daughter, Tammy, as she gets a
solo album cut with the love-tainted “Tell Me Again”.
Paul Alan Coons, you suspect, makes music
because that’s what brings him happiness. He does it because he
loves to write songs, he loves to sing and he loves to entertain.
With this album Paul Alan Coons is moving out from the herd with
his distinctive and personal music; he’s easy in the saddle.
There’s nothing here to prove – only the ride of life to
enjoy.
