Grammy-Award winning, singer/songwriter Paula Cole rediscovers her love of music with her new CD, Courage, her first album in eight years. When asked what Courage means to Paula Cole, she says the word was her daily mantra when recording the record, making for a fitting title. Simply put Cole says, "I am searching for the truth. Somewhere, it's in the music."An intimate and heartfelt collection of songs, Courage is poised to re-establish Cole's seminal role among the top female recording artists today. Delivered with raw emotional honesty, the singer reveals a rare, disarming vulnerability with these eleven new songs. Her arresting vocals and top-notch songwriting also shine, with highlights including "Comin' Down," the striking opening track (co-penned with guitarist Dean Parks), "14," the memorable anthem co-written with Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Roger Waters), and the confessional "El Greco" (co-penned with Mark Goldenberg). The album also features guest appearances from the legendary Herbie Hancock on the haunting track, "Lonelytown," renowned producer David Foster, who guests as pianist on "In Our Dreams," the distinctive vocals of Paul Buchanan of Blue Nile fame on, "Until I Met You," and the Brazilian singer/songwriter Ivan Lins on the samba-laced, "Hard To Be Soft."
With her first album in eight years, there seems to be little doubt that Paula Cole is aiming to shake the Sarah McLachlan-wannabe tag that has hung with her since the days of Lilith Fair. Though she rode the alternative wave during those times to her eventual notoriety, this time around Cole appears ready to paddle the mainstream. Enlisting the help of some notable, if unfamiliar, songwriters, the Massachusetts-bred singer has the striking (and professionally trained) voice to make the cut. Cole devotees will drift to a pair of ballads: the sexy, bass-driven "In Our Dreams" and "Lonely Town," a saga of isolation guided by the piano of Herbie Hancock. And while the 11 songs are cohesive enough to run as a package, cuts that stand out as potential hits include "El Greco," a declarative song of restitution, and "Hard to Be Soft," a jazz number decorated with Brazilian-themed rhythms. Whether this renewal can lead to even greater approval remains to be seen--but the audience left over from years gone by is just happy to hear Paula Cole singing again. --Scott Holter
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