Paul Siebel
Encyclopedia
Paul Siebel is an American
singer-songwriter
and guitarist
, born on September 19, 1937 in Buffalo, NY. He is best known for other artist's cover version
s of his songs, most notably "Louise". Other notable Siebel songs include "Spanish Johnny," Long Afternoons," "Any Day Woman," "Nashville Again," "She Made Me Lose My Blues," and "Then Came the Children".
In 1969, a collection of songs he made with David Bromberg
caught the attention of Elektra Records
. Two classic albums followed: Woodsmoke and Oranges
(1970) and Jack-Knife Gypsy
(1971). The two albums made him a musician's musician. The songs were covered by, among others, David Bromberg
, Willy DeVille
, Linda Ronstadt
, Bonnie Raitt
, Jerry Jeff Walker
, Kate Wolf
, Mary McCaslin
, Emmylou Harris
, Waylon Jennings
, and Leo Kottke
, but songwriter Paul Siebel remained unknown to the larger public.
After 1971, his songwriting production stopped. Siebel became depressed and developed drug problems. Now and then his name came up in interviews with other artists. Kris Kristofferson
tips his hat to Siebel in his song "The Pilgrim". Siebel played in McCabes in 1978, which was considered a come-back, and appeared on a 1977 LP (1992 on CD) Music From Mud Acres, with a cover of the Hank Williams song "Weary Blues". Siebel was a guest at Jerry Jeff Walker's 1987 Birthday Bash in Austin, Texas. He did not write any new songs.
In 1996 Folk Magazine Dirty Linen tracked him down and talked with the then-58 year-old bread-baker (Issue #64, June/July 1996).
In 2004 Elektra released a compilation CD with most of Siebel's songs. The booklet contains an interview by Peter Doggett where Siebel — now working for the county taking care of local parks — looks back on his career.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, born on September 19, 1937 in Buffalo, NY. He is best known for other artist's cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s of his songs, most notably "Louise". Other notable Siebel songs include "Spanish Johnny," Long Afternoons," "Any Day Woman," "Nashville Again," "She Made Me Lose My Blues," and "Then Came the Children".
Biography
After serving in the military, Siebel began playing folk clubs, eventually moving to Greenwich Village, where he found support in the coffeehouse circuit.In 1969, a collection of songs he made with David Bromberg
David Bromberg
David Bromberg is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. Bromberg has an eclectic style, playing bluegrass, blues, folk, jazz, country and western, and rock and roll equally well. He is known for his quirky, humorous lyrics, and the ability to play rhythm and lead guitar at the...
caught the attention of Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
. Two classic albums followed: Woodsmoke and Oranges
Woodsmoke and Oranges
Woodsmoke and Oranges is the debut album from folk rock/country rock musician Paul Siebel. The album contains his tune "Louise" which was recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Ian Matthews, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Andersen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Leo Kottke, and others....
(1970) and Jack-Knife Gypsy
Jack-Knife Gypsy
Jack-Knife Gypsy is the second album from Folk rock/Country rock musician Paul Siebel.-Reception:Music critic Jim Worbois wrote in his Allmusic "The first record may have drawn listeners for the opportunity to hear Siebel originals of songs they knew from elsewhere...
(1971). The two albums made him a musician's musician. The songs were covered by, among others, David Bromberg
David Bromberg
David Bromberg is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. Bromberg has an eclectic style, playing bluegrass, blues, folk, jazz, country and western, and rock and roll equally well. He is known for his quirky, humorous lyrics, and the ability to play rhythm and lead guitar at the...
, Willy DeVille
Willy DeVille
Willy DeVille was an American singer and songwriter. During his thirty-five year career, first with his band Mink DeVille and later on his own, Deville created original songs rooted in traditional American musical styles. He worked with collaborators from across the spectrum of contemporary...
, Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
, Jerry Jeff Walker
Jerry Jeff Walker
Jerry Jeff Walker is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is probably most famous for writing the song "Mr. Bojangles.-Biography:...
, Kate Wolf
Kate Wolf
Kate Wolf was an American folk singer and songwriter. Though her career was relatively short, she had a significant impact on the folk music scene, and many musicians continue to cover her songs...
, Mary McCaslin
Mary McCaslin
Mary McCaslin is an American folk singer who wrote, recorded and performs contemporary folk music. She recorded primarily for Philo Records and traveled and performed with her husband, Jim Ringer....
, Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
, and Leo Kottke
Leo Kottke
Leo Kottke is an acoustic guitarist. He is widely known for his innovative fingerpicking style, which draws on influences from blues, jazz, and folk music, and his syncopated, polyphonic melodies...
, but songwriter Paul Siebel remained unknown to the larger public.
After 1971, his songwriting production stopped. Siebel became depressed and developed drug problems. Now and then his name came up in interviews with other artists. Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
tips his hat to Siebel in his song "The Pilgrim". Siebel played in McCabes in 1978, which was considered a come-back, and appeared on a 1977 LP (1992 on CD) Music From Mud Acres, with a cover of the Hank Williams song "Weary Blues". Siebel was a guest at Jerry Jeff Walker's 1987 Birthday Bash in Austin, Texas. He did not write any new songs.
In 1996 Folk Magazine Dirty Linen tracked him down and talked with the then-58 year-old bread-baker (Issue #64, June/July 1996).
In 2004 Elektra released a compilation CD with most of Siebel's songs. The booklet contains an interview by Peter Doggett where Siebel — now working for the county taking care of local parks — looks back on his career.
Discography
- 1970 Woodsmoke and OrangesWoodsmoke and OrangesWoodsmoke and Oranges is the debut album from folk rock/country rock musician Paul Siebel. The album contains his tune "Louise" which was recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Ian Matthews, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Andersen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Leo Kottke, and others....
- 1971 Jack-Knife GypsyJack-Knife GypsyJack-Knife Gypsy is the second album from Folk rock/Country rock musician Paul Siebel.-Reception:Music critic Jim Worbois wrote in his Allmusic "The first record may have drawn listeners for the opportunity to hear Siebel originals of songs they knew from elsewhere...
- 1978 Live at McCabes (with David Bromberg and Gary White)
- 2004 Paul Siebel (Compilation CD, includes all songs from Woodsmoke & Oranges plus 5 songs from Jack-Knife Gypsy)