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Yes, this is the homepage of WV fiddler/songwriter,
Paul Epstein!
You may
know me as the fiddler for the Contrarians,
a contra dance band (now with a highly praised CD!), or in a previous
lifetime, a member of Booger Hole Revival, a WV string band from
the '70s
and '80s.
I started writing songs and fiddle tunes back then and never stopped.
In 1992 I recorded a CD of children's
songs, most of which I wrote, called
School
Bus Comin' .
Then, in
the later 90's came
Lessons
Life's Taught Me.
That was co-produced by Ron
Sowell, music director of WV
Public Radio's Mountain Stage, and is backed up tastefully
by members of the Mountain Stage Band including Ron
Sowell, Steve Hill, John
Kessler, Ahmed
Solomon,
and Julie Adams,
as well as friends Bill
and Becky Kimmons of "Soup Kitchen" who added their
considerable talents to the CD.
In the
new millenium, I have recorded a CD of original fiddle tunes, Strawberry
Lass, and I continue to write new songs some of which can be heard
at My Space.
Now, I have a second band: Gypsy Stars with the strawberry lass,
Rita Ray, on piano, and Paula Bickham on hand drums and accordian!
I've done many things in life--logging, social work, teaching
school (my day job),
presenting writing workshops,
but music
is something I must always be creating
and enjoying. I hope you will enjoy it, too.
(CD reviews below) |
The link and order box at right places orders through CD
Baby,
the largest distributor of CD's online for independent artists.
They
have secure
servers to handle sales using credit cards and also take telephone
orders at 1-800-448-6369. If you go to the site, you can listen
to 2 minute segments of many of my songs and you can post reviews
based on what you hear or what you know after purchase. I appreciate
your taking the time to do so.
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Review of Strawberry Lass in Dirty Linen, #102
Oct/Nov. 2002
…a seducing set of mostly original fiddle
instrumentals…a bright assortment of compositions. Paul
is a lyrical fiddler, pouring out intense passion and eloquent
phrasing. In the capable hands of Epstein, the fiddle sings freely
and uninhibited.
Review of Strawberry Lass at GreenmanReview.com
Epstein's arrangements and tunes show influences from traditional
American, celtic, and jazz musics. There are several pretty compositions
on the album. An air in the same style as "Ashokan Farewell" called "Appalachian
Morning" begs memorization with its turns and strong melody. "Wild
Ponies of Chincoteague," a mid-tempo celtic-jazz based tune,
is also a winner. My favorites, though, are the dance tunes, which
he might be more at home with, sporting titles like "Leapin'
Liz," and "Hannah On the Mountain." For euro-folks,
one composition, "Penina's Wedding" has a strong jazz-klezmer
ambience, without really leaving behind Epstein's general style...a
good choice for fiddlers looking for new tunes. But it is also
an interesting CD for fiddle junkies of all types
Review of Lessons Life's Taught Me in Graffiti, October, 1994
“
Lessons features sensitive backing by members of the Mountain Stage
band, as well as a batch of unfancy easily enjoyable songs. The
clear winners of the group are “Take a Lesson from the
Earth” with
its strong melody and ethereal background vocals and “Lettin’ Go” which
has a familiar countryish charm. Some tracks are colored by hints
of gospel and jazzy fiddle-fueled swing, which lend an agreeable
diversity to the disc.”
from WV children's book author, Cheryl Ware,
about School Bus Comin'
"I loved both of your CD's (School Bus and Lessons). WHAT A TALENT… I
must say that your Fourth-grade Blues and School Bus Comin’ traveled
in my head up and down the beaches of Florida”
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Other links of interest:
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Kim Walker,
photographer of the stars! She's a cousin in L.A. Pics of Swayze,
Hendrix....many more.
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