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There is a photo in the back of the fantastic CD, The Charles Beat, that begs the question: Why didn't Ray Paul become a teen idol? There he is, in June 1980 inglorious black and white, lips pursed in an I'm-just-hangin'-out, me-and-my-sexy-self kind of way, looking very Emitt Rhodes with his ever present Beatles haircut, legs crossed, holding his guitar, a foxy-looking rug beneath his feet. In aparticularly telling photo on the next page, taken in January 1992, he's also holding a guitar, and he's still got that damn Beatle haircut. He's still got it today; check out the color photo on the back of Ray's Performance Reel Vol. 1 DVD. Will this pinnacle of pop--this power pop poster boy-- ever grow old?

Despite his recent assertion to me that he is now living in the rock and roll retirement home, the man who was instrumental in shaping the independent power pop label revolution with his Permanent Press Recordings has retained his youthful pose and is still kicking up a storm on the performance circuit. Okay, that circuit has been thus far limited to a handful of appearances at International Pop Overthrow (IPO) shows and a much lauded spot with Emitt Rhodes at the late, lamented Poptopia festival, but if we encourage him, maybe he will grace his fans, and any devotees of good, solid power pop, with a tour and, dare I say it, a new album?

Until then, these spectacular, bootleg-style DVDs, remastered from the original source tapes by Paul, will have to do. (Of course, you always have Ray's The Charles Beat CD to spin.) Released last year as the inaugural volumes in Ray's Power Pop AboveGround Performance Series, they offer nearly three and a half hours of vintage live shows, television appearances, and videos of his slots at IPO and Poptopia. The sources may be rough in spots, but Ray is presenting these discs "as is": they are historical and you are used to watching videos and listening to tapes of your favorite bands recorded from the 500th row of any arena you care to name, so just pop some popcorn and enjoy.

Two complete shows are spread across the two discs. The original incarnation of Ray Paul & RPM bring down the house at the Orpheum Theater in Boston in a show recorded on October 14, 1978. On the second disc, the second edition of the group is unveiled in a show from the Paradise Theater in Boston from February 27, 1979. Both shows are fantastic; Ray's command of the stage is, well, commanding, and so is his voice. He's got that rock 'n' roll thing going on; it's obvious right from the start of his playing days that he is a confident, talented performer. He's so confident, in fact, that he is able to pull off a fashion faux pas during the Paradise Theater show: shudder at the sight of Ray's "white 'sweater' styled in a sport coat design" (thanks, Ray, for the color corrections!) over a red Stiff Rachel Sweet t-shirt. Ghastly! (I'm teasing, of course, although I would never wear a creamsicle in public. I'm teasing again. No letters from the fashion police, please.)

Ray's terrific songs "Hold It," "Brokenhearted." and "Lady Be Mine Tonight" appear during both shows. Ray closes the Orpheum slot with a balls-out cover of the Beatles' "I'm Down," and graces the Paradise show with an ace take on T. Rex's "Telegram Sam," complete with a spot-on Marc Bolan imitation. Both songs show Ray's great taste in covers and are performed with great flair.

For many people, the IPO and Poptopia shows will be the drawing cards when purchasing these DVDs, and why not--they both feature the legendary Emitt Rhodes. The IPO show's band is ace all the way, with the equally ace Walter Clevenger and Chewy Marble's Brian Kassan, as well as members of Walter's band, the Dairy Kings. Emitt joins in on vocals on the then-recently-recorded "Some Sing, Some Dance," which is available in audio form on The Charles Beat CD. It's fun to watch Rhodes on stage, as always, but the pop god has a much better showcase at the Poptopia show, featured on the first DVD; the set features three of Emitt's songs: "Live Till You Die," "Love Will Stone You," and "Really Wanted You." Throughout these and the other songs played, Emitt sounds great, and he gets the showcase he so richly deserves with help from another great band, featuring the ever-wonderful Spongetone Jamie Hoover.

But wait, there's more! Both DVDs feature vintage television appearances, including an absolutely priceless slot on a show called Nightscene, which aired in Boston on October 29, 1978. The band is at the top of their game, but host David Brudnoy, uncomfortable and unhip, is barely holding his own. At the start of his interview with Ray, following the band's performance of "Hold It," Brudnoy tells Ray the band is talented and loud. "Well," Ray notes, "I've heard louder." Brudnoy later asks why Ray calls his music Charles Beat. A stunned Ray answers, "Why not?" Stuck for a response, Brudnoy embarrassingly says, "I've heard worse answers." Priceless stuff.

As is everything on these two DVDs. Great performances, great music, a great time to be had by all. Soak up some of the best power pop ever from one of the genre's brightest lights. Take a bow, Ray Paul, start taking part in the activities offered at the rock 'n' roll retirement home (stay active!), and get to work on Vols. 3 and 4.

Alan Haber
October 15, 2004

 

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