Paul McLaney - As The North Attracts The Needle

Paul McLaney

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Paul McLaney delivers a new collection of songs for acoustic guitar and voice.

From Gramsci, to his collaborative and soundtrack work, to his solo material, he has been a presence in the scene even if not necessarily a household name. ‘As The North Attracts The Needle’ is McLaney’s 2023 album, and returns him to writing and performing with only his acoustic guitar, making a troubadour’s album of simple grace.

The sparse arrangements of these songs reflect the elegance in his writing and the thoughtful lyrics that look to the world around us. The album focuses on McLaney’s voice and guitar playing, with only an unadorned keyboard counterpoint fleshing out the final song, "Go Well", a meditation on reaching your destination.

Although consistent with only voice-and-guitar, the songs dart around in terms of delivery – finger-picked guitar beneath a lilting melody on one song (for example, "Harmony" or "I") gives way to rhythmic strumming with a jazz inflected melody on another (eg. "As the North Attracts the Needle").

Any comparison to the classic ’70s guitar-and-vocal troubadours will result from the acoustic delivery and McLaney’s fine voice, but it is clearest on the Bert Jansch-esque The Rest Will Come in Time, which features some fantastic playing from McLaney.

Recorded with warmth and intimacy by Scott Seabright, ‘As the North Attracts the Needle’ makes an impact in the 10 songs. They may be short, but the effect is long.

‘Music without empathy is just noise. As I was completing these songs I knew I wanted to personally take them out and perform them in intimate spaces up and down the country. Social Media creates a vicarious reality of community and I want to engage audiences in real time; again in that tradition of the troubadour.’ Paul McLaney

‘This collection couldn't have come at a better time.’ Graham Reid, Elsewhere

Available as:
140g Black Vinyl LP
CD with 12 Page Booklet

Tracklist:
1. All It Takes Is Time 01:58
2. Harmony 01:51
3. Like A Diamond In The Sky 02:11
4. A Moment 02:03
5. As The North Attracts The Needle 02:08
6. I 03:33 video
7. A Mutiny Of The Heart 03:39
8.The Rest Will Come In Time 02:03
9. One Day After The Other 02:25
10. Go Well 02:22
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