Jac Holzman's (of Elektra Records) assessment of
Paul Siebel proved right:
Siebel really didn't have the ambition necessary to make it in show business. That, however, didn't mean he couldn't make a great album, so Elektra matched the songsmith with producer
Peter K. Siegel and turned them loose in the studio. With a shoestring budget, the two men gathered a handful of fine musicians -- including guitarist
David Bromberg, violinist
Richard Greene, and steel guitarist
Weldon Myrick -- to record ten
Siebel originals quickly. Despite, or because of, the small budget and lack of time,
Siebel and company crafted an incredible record that still sounds vibrant 30 years after the fact.
Woodsmoke and Oranges begins with three gems, the up-tempo "She Made Me Lose My Blues," the jazzy "Miss Cherry Lane," and the road song "Nashville Again." Everything works in harmony here --
Siebel's songs, the vocals, and the sparkling, multi-layered arrangements. In fact, throughout the album, the arrangements seem to push the singer forward to deliver taut, heartfelt performances. The slower ballads equal the upbeat material, with nods going to "Louise" and "Long Afternoons." Like
John Prine,
Siebel is a singer/songwriter who has serious things on his mind, but doesn't forget to write memorable melodies to accompany the words. Although he'd never outdo his work on
Woodsmoke and Oranges, few artists ever craft an album this good. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.