“Brill Building tunesmith Paul Evans' impressive
body of work receives deluxe treatment on the excellent Happy-Go-Lucky
Me: The Paul Evans Songbook. A good anthology plays like a time line,
and U.K. label Castle Music has done a fine job collecting the hits, demos,
and previously unissued tracks from his 50-year career. His only Top 20
hits as a performer, 'Seven Little Girls,' 'Midnight Special', and the
irresistible 'Happy-Go-Lucky Me', reside among songs penned for other
artists, like Bobby Vinton's 'Roses Are Red (My Love)' and the Ray Coniff
Singers' wonderfully goofy 'Happiness Is', all performed by Evans. Also
featured is a 1998 autobiographical track called 'I Was a Part of the
50's' and an interview by writer/producer Stuart Colman.”
James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
“Paul Evans' CD, Happy Go Lucky Me - The Paul Evans Songbook
brings us an amazing and long awaited selection of songs. It includes
for the first time anywhere, the demo recordings of 'Something Blue' and
'The Next Step Is Love', the demos that Elvis heard himself. Also included
are two songs Elvis was holding at the time of his death, 'Tender Moments'
and 'Quiet Desperation'. Listening to them, you can really imagine Elvis
singing these songs. What a shame for us fans that he never had the chance.
The CD includes Paul's 50s and 60s hit recordings, 'Seven Little Girls
Sitting In The Back Seat', 'Midnight Special', and 'Happy Go Lucky Me'
(which was the theme of John Waters' cult classic, Pecker). Also, the
1978 UK hit 'Hello, This is Joannie' and a great discovery of an unreleased
1957 session for RCA!
The sound on this Sanctuary CD is the best you can get. The artwork by
Paul Bevoir shows amazing original 45rpm labels, photos, and many rare
items including the 'Something Blue' picture sleeve. Very detailed and
well written notes by Roger Dopson. What a treat to finally hear the writer's
demos of Elvis' songs.”
Johnny Vallis, www.elvis.com.au
“A very pleasant volume from Paul Evans that will appeal
to those who bought and liked some of the softer pop sounds around 1958
through to the early '60s. The insert has loads of information and lots
of photographs together with contemporary adverts for Evans' product…
The spirit of the era is very evident and with 27 vocals and an interview,
it makes for great value and a lot of fine entertainment.”
Now Dig This
www.paulevans.com