"Thoroughly original and intelligent...deLay's balladry is terrific...This Ocean of Tears is one of joyful realization." - Living Blues Magazine, February '97
"Stellar playing, singing and song writing...Intelligent, technically dazzling and heartfelt."
- Blues Revue Magazine, February '97
"Required listening for all who love blues. Six stars [highest rating] for a wonderful musical and personal statement that will enlighten and humble."
- Real Blues Magazine, December '96
"deLay's insights into the human condition, sung with soulful gusto against a backdrop of tenor sax, Hammond B-3, harmonica and rhythm section, is what makes Ocean of Tears seem fresh by comparison to the ocean of mediocre blues records that are churned out with seeming indifference each month."
- Jazz Times, February '97
"Perhaps the most original take on the blues in years. Nearly every track is a standout..."
- The Portland Oregonian, October '96
For Immediate Release
September 9, 1996(Los Angeles) -- The Paul deLay Band's long-awaited, newly-recorded CD, Ocean of Tears (ECD 26079) will be released by Evidence Music on Tuesday, September 24.... (continues...)
Ocean of Tears"Second chances are a rare thing in life, and the person who makes
the most of one is rarer still. Ocean of Tears is all the proof that
Paul deLay needs to join those ranks...deLay rebuilt his life since his
1989 arrest, pulled together a stunning new band, recorded fine albums of
original tunes, and marked several years of living clean and sober.
"The buzz is guaranteed, because Ocean of Tears is no ordinary
blues album. It's perhaps the most original take on the blues in years,
soaring effortlessly above the 12-bar overcast to set its sights on the
stars. Nearly every track is a standout, from the warm-hearted gospel
duet on "Maybe Our Luck Will Change" to the fuel-injected joy
of "I Win" and the hard-grooving plea of "Don't Shame Me."
But the title track is the masterpiece and guaranteed to raise a
tear..."
"One of The Top 10 CDs of '96."
-John Foyston, The Portland Oregonian, Tuesday, October 15, 1996
"Anyone interested in hearing new directions blues can take would do
well to swim in Paul deLay's Ocean of Tears. This long-awaited release showcases
the Northwest harmonica heavyweight's formidable instrumental, vocal and
lyrical skills, as well as his band's formidable arranging skills. That's
a total of four "formidables," for those who like to keep score...Stellar
playing, singing and song writing...Intelligent, technically dazzling and
heartfelt." - Blues Revue Magazine, February '97
"A little-known treasure." - Tower Pulse, December '96
"Paul delay is that rare Anglo-American vocalist who has found an original voice. In part it is the rough, soul-baring voice of a recovering addict and alcoholic who has proven through his recent original work that creativity does not come from a bottle, powder or smoke. It is also the voice of a man who has found astonishing inspiration, rejuvenation and motivation in the hard-won love of a good woman...Thoroughly original and intelligent...deLay's balladry is terrific...This Ocean of Tears is one of joyful realization." - Living Blues Magazine, February '97
"deLay's genius is deceiving because it's understated and natural.
He's a one-of-a-kind national musical treasure....Required listening for
all who love blues. Six stars [highest rating] for a wonderful musical and
personal statement that will enlighten and humble." - Real Blues
Magazine, December '96
"One of the rising giants of the blues. This is one act you do not
want to miss." - Southland Blues, January '97
"deLay's insights into the human condition, sung with soulful gusto
against a back-drop of tenor sax, Hammond B-3, harmonica and rhythm section,
is what makes Ocean of Tears seem fresh by comparison to the ocean of medicre
blues records that are churned out with seeming indifference each month."
- Jazz Times, February '97
Take It From The Turnaround"Long known in the Northwest as one of the finest harmonica players going, deLay appears poised to explode on the national scene. He should, too, because he is a terrific singer and songwriter as well. Take It From The Turnaround is ample evidence of his talents." - Detroit News & Free Press, June '96
"While showcasing his amazing range, which runs from graceful Toots
Thieleman-like highs to gut bucket James Cotton lows, what really differentiates
deLay is his mastery of grooves, riffs and jazz influences. Check out the
Cray-like funk of "Merry Way," the high-fiber instrumentals "Oat
Bran" and "I Can't Quit You, No," and the vocal driven "What's
the Big Idea?" It's taken deLay a long time to overcome his personal
demons, but this disc reveals the diversity of a great undiscovered blues
talent." - Boston Globe, August '96
"If Little Walter had lived another 20 years, we might have heard similar
sounds...These tracks are fascinating, everyone a gemYou could take the
other top five harp-playing bluesmen active today and, even combined, their
talents couldn't match deLay's. Six stars, highest rating, for the ultimate
blues CD in terms of virtuosity." - Real Blues Magazine, July '96
"Perhaps the most inventive and innovative harmonica player since Little
Walter." - Billtown Blue Notes (Baltimore MD), June '96
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