Crescent Moon Festival

We are not going to talk here about the financial perpectives of Greece and what it means for its inhabitants, because this is a site focused on music and not about economy or commerce. However, you need some money in the proces of making your record, and people need the same to buy it. So, that's why this recording will only (for the moment) be released as a free download from the band's site or if you want to support, you can download it from cd-baby.com fot only 3 Euros. You can't sing it yourself for a price like that, like we say here in Belgium. There's no need for that, because Paul did, all by himself in his "Shelter" home studio in Malesina, Greece.
Our regular readers will know Paul Karapiperis from his band Small Blues Trap from their couple of cd's we already reviewed or from his solo-debut "Fifteen Raindrops In An Ocean of Blues Tales ". All of them are were cd's that were kinda special... very original sounding blues releases. Paul's typical voice, very simular to that of Tom Waits give it that special twist. Another thing that returns in all of his releases is the fact that he likes to create little soundtracks in his songs, using minimal sound effects to create a certain mysterious atmosphere for his lyrics. Also on this cd, most of the lyrics are spoken word. The ballads are hort stories or observations told against a musical background of merely dobro, acoustic slide guitar and blues harp. As can be expected, those lyrics are rather pessimistic and bitter this time. Listen, for instance, to "You Expect Me To Do The Right Thing" , where he gives his observations about the country's problems.
Indeed, if there is someone in Europe who has the right to have the blues it are the people from Greece. Paul Karapiperis proves this by bringing us a cd with music that has the sadness of the real old Delta blues, like we know it from the real fathers of the blues like Son House, J.B Lenoir or Mississippi Fred McDowell. Combine that bluesy sound with the modern "Waits" approach and you get a good idea of what to expect from this release. Okay, this is far from easy listening stuff, but for listeners who want to dig a little deeper and who like their blues a little more unique and full of passion, the second solo -recording from this Greek blues-poet might be just what they have been looking for.
RON
http://www.rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEUW/2012/JUL1/CD24.html

CRESCENT MOON FESTIVAL

Ο πίνακας στο εξώφυλλο του "Somethin' Like Blues or Haunted Ballads" είναι έργο του Σωτήρη Κουρούτη.

BLUES IN THE NORTHWEST

Greece may be having its problems at the moment, but may be it gives inspiration to singer and harmonica player Paul Karapiperis, founder member of the highly-regarded band Small Blues Trap. Take a listen to ‘You Expect Me To Do The Right Thing’ for a direct reference to his country’s woes.

This album – which Paul would like to issue on CD when things pick up – is a completely solo effort, with Paul’s voice coming across somewhere between Howling Wolf and Tom Waits after both men have emptied that bottle of rot-gut whisky and the box of cheap cigars. The backing uses the usual blues instruments but is otherwise rather experimental – the album title is certainly appropriate as certain tracks (the opener ‘Light To The Darkest Train’, and its closing reprise, for starters) come across as quite spooky.

The harp wails, Paul plays acoustic, electric, steel, 12-string and bass guitars as required, plus seemingly random percussion and keyboards. The result is a little unsettling – this is not the blues as easy listening – definitely committed and passionate, and worth investigating by those who prefer their music to mean something.

Norman Darwen

http://www.bluesinthenorthwest.com/index.php/2012/07/05/review-paul-karapiperis-something-like-blues-or-haunted-ballads/

BLUES.GR

Οι προσωπικές δουλειές του Παύλου Καραπιπέρη – αλλά και των Small Blues Trap – σπρώχνουν την Ελληνική blues σκηνή μερικά βήματα πιο μπροστά, βλέποντας όμως πάντα με σεβασμό τις ρίζες και διατηρώντας στο ακέραιο την παράδοση των blues.

Η στιχουργική του ικανότητα, βαδίζει μετέωρα ανάμεσα στη λογοτεχνική blues ποίηση και τη βιωματική ζωή ενός αυθεντικού bluesman.

Μιχάλης Λημνιός