one acoustic, two acoustic, red acoustic, blue.

Please keep in mind this isn't a review of a specific album or song; this is a piece about an artist. :)

If you haven't already guessed from the title, I'm a bit of a sucker for anything acoustic. Not that I'm against electric guitars and bass lines or anything, but in all honesty, the simplicity of raw, acoustic chords makes a greater impact on me than anything Lady GaGa can come up with.

And unless you've been listening to Alexis-made-popular Dallas Green these days, it seems to me that the beauty of acoustic guitar has become tragically under-appreciated. It's become a loose thread of indie music, having once kick-started the independent scene itself. What makes it so unique is that it allows for the discovery and enjoyment of a virtually unknown artist or band. I can tell you from my own internet-surfing experience that it is a pretty awesome feeling, knowing that you have a song or band all to yourself; a soundtrack to come home to at the end of the day - and it's all yours.

Today, however, I'm going to introduce you to one of my favourite, lesser-known acoustic/folk artists because I believe he deserves the recognition. But first, let me back track a little bit: it's no secret that North Americans get their inspiration overseas; everything from new car models to the latest in runway fashions have first gained their popularity in European spotlights. Of course, this popularity means little without the stamp of approval from the American population. Trying to bridge this gap is Scottish artist Paolo Nutini.

I first saw Paolo Nutini on my television screen playing the 2007 Live Earth concert at the Wembley Stadium in London, England. I fell in love. I could have sworn he was blind, the way he played his beloved guitar; Paolo kept his eyes closed for the entire performance - not that it took away from what I saw or heard. He passionately blends simple and complimentary major chords with mellow, honest and personal lyrics:


And life is good and the girls are gorgeous
Suddenly the air smells much greener now
And I'm wondering 'round With a half pack of cigarettes
Searching for the change that I've lost somehow

These streets have too many names for me
I'm used to Glenfield road and spending my time down in Orchy
I'll get used to this eventually
I know, I know

This is how Paolo started out. His music has changed and grown over the years, but he began with simplistic acoustic melodies. What makes this Scotsman so unique is not only his accent - which, for the record, makes his vocals even more intrinsic, surreal and attractive - but also the way in which he describes the world around him as well as his own life. His lyrical expressions speak of home and love, two generic subjects communicated in a way that screams for the taking on of a new perspective.

"I approach a song almost like a letter," Paolo reveals on his website, "whether it be to my girlfriend or just the general public. I find it easier to communicate emotions while singing, cos I feel I go out of myself, I've not got a guard up. I feel music is a great vehicle for any man, whether hes making it or just listening to it, to portray his vulnerable side. I found an honesty in me."

His work is authentic, which is what fans love about it! In his newest album's hit single, Paolo refers to love as "Candy", describing the desperation and adoration of one so lost in youthful love. For American artists, the term might seem a little cheesy, but Paolo makes it work, his vocal stylings giving life and emotion to each and every word:

Darling I’ll bathe your skin
I’ll even wash your clothes
Just give me some candy
before I go

Oh, darling I’ll kiss your eyes
And lay you down on your rug
Just give me some candy
After my hug



Paolo Nutini describes his work as a bit of a motely crue of sorts - though he's taken influence from The Drifters, Cab Calloway, Wynonie Harris and Louis Armstrong. "Musically where I'm at, I don't really have a genre or style that I feel a part of," he explains. "I skip from Djhango Reinhart to Cab Calloway to Canned Heat. It's a bit of a random mish mash. I honestly wanted it all to come out, and not harness it, not manipulate it. I just wanted it to be organic, and so immediate it's in your face and you can't help but take it all in."

And take it all in, acoustics and voice of unique vibrato, I have.

Why Paolo hasn't fully made in Canada or the United States is beyond me. Don't get me wrong, he's playing gigs around the world from Melbourne to Amerstam, Paris and Zurich. He's even duetted with Mick Jagger! But selfishly, I have to say that I'm a little glad that Paolo hasn't taken the entire world (or just North America) by storm just yet. I'm sure if he really wanted to, all he would have to do is sit down, close those eyes, strum along with some vocals and he'd have the entire female population north and south of the border swooning.

Myself included.


***
I strongly recommend you check out one of Paolo's songs off of his earlier album, These Streets. This album, compared to his newer one - Sunny Side Up - is much more acoustic/contemporary based! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDGB2gu6Ank&feature=related (Though, rest assured, I love them both!)