PW & The Ghost Gloves Cat Wing Joy Boys

This EP was released a couple of years ago on Amazon.com and being a fan of both Paul and The Replacements, I was happy to find this. Hopefully this will eventually lead to a new album from Paul. His last full length record was in 2004 with  Folker  although he did record new material for the  Open Season  soundtrack as well as releasing some home made recordings online. Finally, in 2009, he relased this 6 song EP and I am quite happy with it. Either you will love or hate Paul's approuch to making music over the past few years. Ever since his 2002 double disc set  Stereo , Paul has continued to record music in his home, most likely his basement although there is the exception of the Open Season soundtrack, which was polished up in the studio. While these home made recordings may not be for everyone, if you have open ears and appreciate a song for the melody and strength in the songwriting then you may be amazed, I know I was.While his voice may be a bit rough at times, somehow it brings out the emotion in the song. Because Paul is a talented songwriter and brings enough depth to the songs, it doesn't really matter to me how polished the recordings are or not. Paul is giving his absolute best which is all we can ask from him. Still, I can't speak for everyone. You can argue that the songs would come out a lot better if they were recorded by a professional producer in a studio but in my opinion, the songs would work either way because they are so amazing.While every song on this EP is a real gem and worth the price, "Ghost On The Canvas" may be the best. The song has also found new life after country music icon Glen Campbell covered the song on his latest record, which is also titled Ghost On The Canvas. I think both Paul and Glen do a really nice job with the tune and I am happy that Paul is getting some recognition these days. Again, hopefully this will lead to a new album from him. I really can't speak for everyone else but I would buy it in a heartbeat.

For whatever reason I didn't hear this when it came out, or perhaps I was getting burned out on Paul's basement tapes. But someone mentioned how good this one was a few weeks ago, and when I saw it was available for basically $7 shipped, it was a no brainer. Especially with the I Don't Cares record still on constant rotation, I'm in a Paul frame of mind.The songs are all good, and so far Good as a Cat and Love on a Wing are top shelf Westerberg. I initially didn't care for Drop Them Gloves, but since it rocks pretty hard and I'm a hockey person I've grown to like it. I like Glen Campbell's version of GOTC a bit better because Paul didn't seem to get a great vocal take here, but it is still a terrific song. Gimme Little Joy and Dangerous Boy are both solid.24 minutes, 6 songs. No reason if you are a fan not to buy this.

Ghost On The Canvas: Touching, rhythmic and full sound; a very easy listen, and as usual, Paul's phrasing will catch your attention.Drop Them Gloves: A rocker reminiscent of The Stones "Street Fighting Man". Love the harmonica...a foot stomper!Good As The Cat: All is good with this one. Lyrics we can all relate to, hummable, sing-along. Try not bobbing your head to the beat!Love On The Wing: Opens with melancholy piano and vocals, merges into full guitar, drums, etc. Again, I can best describe this as a touching song. Something about it resonates with me. This song will end up on a House M.D. (or similar program) soundtrack.Gimmie Little Joy: Love it, Love it! *See my comment above for Good As The Cat.Dangerous Boys: Pure Westerberg, which is what we're looking for, right? Liked everything about it. Probably the "hook" track of the EP.I purchased the CD instead of just downloading the MP3. Based on another reviewer's comment about the packaging my expectations were low. I wondered if I was wise to pay more just for a jewel case. When it did finally arrive (takes longer than usual because it is a made on demand item) I was very pleased. I would have preferred he include a scrapbook so I could look at him, but that was the only thing that made this different than any other packaging. Paul is not the only artist to exclude the nice little booklets and for the price, it makes sense to me.

This EP fits right in with Paul's post-Replacements "Folker/Grandpaboy" personas.6 good, fun, sloppy tracks no-doubt mixed in his basement or living room.Listening to these gems - you can see the genius hiding right under the surface.The CD liner has no production notes or anything about this disc. He even seems to make up a fake "band" based on the titles of the songs on the record. We canforgive the obvious attempts to record off-key when the product is so good. Ifyou are reading this, you are surely a fan.... and if you are not you should be.This is good stuff and we can only hope it keeps coming. If Westerberg triedharder, and had a record label and promotion team behind him, he could be as big asany singer/songwriter out there. But he doesn't, and he won't... and that is just the way we, and he, likes it.P.S. Hey Paul, release the MP3-only record on CD for the rest of us!

This is a very solid EP... Opener is "Ghost on a Canvas" which I can't stop listening to....just classic Paul on that one.. really after a couple of listens there isn't a clunker on this one. "Treat me like the cat" could have been a AM hit in the 70's.. awsome phrasing and change on that one. If you like what Paul has been doing for the last 7yrs this is a must have. As far as the packaging goes...WHO CARES!! I'm in this for the music. And actually I love the photos.. Paul in nature on the front... and I am assuming his son Johnny and some of his friends on the back. Very Cool..I'm sure his son is as proud of his dad and how cool was it for him that he made it on the cd.. One last thing.. I know Paul is tired of hearing this, but I hope he can tour soon.. with or without Tommy either way, but the Tommy addition would be awsome.. Cheers...