Paul Pena
-
Label
- Different Strokes For Different Folks
-
Release date
- May 15, 2026
-
Conditions
- New
Description
Different Strokes For Different Folks is delighted to present the first-ever vinyl reissue of Paul Pena's much sought-after self-titled album, originally released in 1972.
Skillfully blending influences and genres, this album is a stunning concentration of punchy bluesy funk, mid-tempo piano ballads, groundbreaking soul, and acoustic gospel. All of this is carried by Pena's deep, rich voice and his songwriting prowess. The opening track, "Woke Up This Morning," transforms traditional blues into an exhilarating country-soul anthem, immediately followed by the raw funk of "I'm Gonna Make It Alright," reminiscent of the Meters at their peak. "The River" slows the pace, offering a mid-tempo piano ballad in the vein of the Rolling Stones' "Exile" era. Add to that the socially conscious "Something To Make You Happy" and the sumptuous, string-laden gospel of "Lullaby," and you have an album that fuses a variety of genres with striking authenticity and power.
Born in Massachusetts in 1950 and blinded at the age of 20 due to congenital glaucoma, Pena moved to San Francisco in 1971, having already made a name for himself as a performer, guitarist, and songwriter. Later that decade, his song "Jet Airliner" became a huge hit for the Steve Miller Band, and he regularly performed on stage with legends such as John Lee Hooker and B.B. King. He also taught himself Tuvan throat singing, eventually being invited to the country to participate in an international symposium and competition; a trip chronicled in the 1999 Oscar-nominated documentary "Genghis Blues." It was shortly after settling on the West Coast that he recorded his self-titled debut album.
Reissued for the very first time on vinyl, Different Strokes For Different Folks is delighted to offer another highly sought-after classic. For fans of Curtis Mayfield, Terry Callier, and Bill Withers, "Paul Pena" is a true cult album, one that remained forgotten for decades.
Tracklist
2. I'm Gonna Make It Alright
3. The River
4. One For The Lonely
5. Something To Make You Happy
6. My Adorable One
7. When I'm Gone
8. Lullaby
Avis (0)
