Doug Paisley has been kicking the tail of that other (unrelated) Paisley poseur in the songwriting department (we’ll give Brad the guitar-playing nod for now).   Paisley’s released two well-regarded albums, including last year’s fine “Constant Companion” (see photo above).

There’s nothing too fancy here; just malingering melodies supporting evocative, carefully-tended lyrics delivered via matter-of-fact, well-sung vocals.  Sometimes you can tell the worth of a musician by the attention paid by fellow musicians.  In Paisley’s case, he’s drawn the attention of the fabulous Feist and legend Garth Hudson of The Band, along with other fine musicians who supported him on Constant Companion.  Check out a few of his songs below.  Up first is What I Saw.

Doug Paisley–What I Saw

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/11-What-I-Saw.mp3|titles=11 What I Saw]

Right off in this song we hear an opening homage to Neil Young, circa “Comes a Time” or “Harvest Moon.”  And then we get Paisley’s seemingly simple story and delivery, as elevated by Feist’s angelic choral vocals and Garth Hudson’s organic organ accompaniment.

“Fell out of love, wandered around

Wore out my shoes, went to the town

Wouldn’t you know, well I couldn’t get back

Train that I took was torn from the tracks

Did you see what I saw?

Could it be that I’ve lost

A way to go on and a reason to go

And all that I see is all that I know

Sad as I feel, a lonesome room (on the video version below: “Sad as I fear, the monkey in me”)

Banishing words heckle the gloom (video version:  “I’m looking at you, looking at me”)

I’m up on the hill, and I look to the sea

Ship on the shore is waiting for me.

Did you see what I saw?

Could it be that I’ve lost

A way to go on and a reason to go

And all that I see is all that I know”

Here’s the song done live, providing even more reason to love the violin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL59aJ-GGSg&feature=related

Also check out No One But You and, with a further tip of the influence hat to Neil Young, Paisley’s cover of Young’s Out on the Weekend.

Doug Paisley–No One But You

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/noq025.mp3|titles=noq025]

Doug Paisley–Out on the Weekend

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/01-Out-On-The-Weekend.mp3|titles=01 Out On The Weekend]