The RiverFront Times - January 18-24, 1995

Local singer-songwriter Paul Stephens' self-titled CD is a nice collection of gritty, melodic tunes that evoke everyone from Springsteen, the Band and Tom Petty to the Smithereens. The album is a resilient testimony to the power of solid popcraft, and Stephens' elastic vocals stretch from soft and sweet (remember the Pezband?) to a gnarly tone that threatens to erupt into Van Morrison at any time but never quite does. Other strong points are the tremendous guitar playing and cozy production (although the vocals could have been produced a little more imaginatively). The only drawback is the slightly spooky cover on which a plaintive-looking Stephens stares directly at the beholder as if to say, "Just look into my eyes." For a warmer, less creepy visual representation of the artist, check out the back of the CD. And never, ever judge a record by its cover.

Spotlight - April 1995

One day I was checking out the plethora of fliers on the massive bulletin board at Vintage Vinyl in University City, when a Paul Stephens poster caught my eye. Well, after listening to Stephens' self-titled, 10-song CD, it's easy to discern his hook-filled music.

"I've never really concerned myself with categories, just writing good songs," says Stephens. "I leave categorizing to A&R people." Stephens cites influences such as Jules Shear, John Hiatt, and Tom Petty. "Just write good songs," he says. (My colleague Kurt Keller likens his sound to that of Don Dixon.)

Stephens cut his teeth playing in bands as far back as Kashmir (with Matt Westphale, later of Suave Octopus) and former Pavlov's Dog axeman Steve Scorfina (who was also the original guitarist for REO Speedwagon) in the early '90's roots band "Memphis Underground". In addition, Stephens has worked with former Dog members Mike Safron and David Surkamp.

"Working with David was a very positive influence in developing as a song wrter," says Stephens, who helped back up Surkamp during a Mississippi River Music Fesitval appearance.

Stephens recorded the debut effort in his own 16-track studio/loft. The disc is currently being shopped to labels through Woodshed Recordings, the company he and his fiancée formed. "Our real mindset is to get a good independent distribution deal" says Stephens. "In fact, my main concern is just writing. I'd be just as happy if another artist picked up one of my songs and had a hit with it."

Since the November 1994 CD release, Stephens has been assembling a stage band and is booking gigs to showcase his original material in a live setting. He has already started working on a second release.

-Billy Holley Jr.

Now Playing - "Right As Rain" by Paul Stephens