Paul Siebel's blog

Paul Seibel recorded two exceptional albums for Elektra in the early 70’s. Born and raised in Buffalo, Siebel was a contemporary of Eric Andersen on the local village folk scene. He would wait until 1969, before a collection of demos he recorded with David Bromberg won him the opportunity to record Woodsmoke & Oranges for Elektra. Using a small, intimate group, including Bromberg and pedal steel player Weldon Myrick, the record was a hybrid of country-folk blessed by Siebel's exquisitely crafted songs including “Any Day Woman,” covered by Bonnie Raitt and “Then Came The Children,” inspired by the Incredible String Band.

Woodsmoke & Oranges and the equally impeccable Jack- Knife Gypsy were both highly regarded. Ian Matthews, Waylon Jennings and Linda Ronstadt covered Siebel’s songs, but apart from a live album in 1981, Live At McCabe's, Siebel’s two Elektra albums are all that exist and they are terrific.

Siebel’s flawless storytelling and stark yet melodic songs make him a precursor to Bruce Cockburn or Townes van Zandt and today’s Americana. Siebel himself gave up both writing and performing during the 80’s rendering his Elektra work an even greater treasure.