"The Blues is all, it’s in all we do musically, we just can’t keep it away from our lives, irrespective of musical genre."

Paul Cox sings the Blues

Respected for his soulful approach to his brand of rocking blues, Paul has built up a reputation as one of Britain's finest Blues/Soul Singers. With accolades from many of his peers and critics alike with his enthusiastic approach to performing he has built up a reputation as one of the most enjoyable nights out around.

Having started off in the West Midlands he moved to London in 1981 and has since worked or recorded with the likes of RAY CHARLES, ERIC CLAPTON, PAUL RODGERS, GARY BROOKER, SNOWY WHITE, SAM BROWN, BONNIE TYLER to name but a few as well as fronting several bands including, Frankie Millers Full House, John Slaughters Blues Band, Tim Hincleys Heart and Soul as well as his own Bands, Soul Intention and The Paul Cox Band and Fire and Water. With 3 cd releases on Note-Music under his belt and 2 with John Slaughter on Timeless Records he has performed all over the world to enthusiastic audiences at such festivals as Monteux, Balve, New Morning Jazz in Switzerland as well as Festivals in Italy and France and Holland. Paul Jones of Radio 2 fame cites him as one of his favourite voices and added to this Paul has sung in films as well as appearing on T.V. all across Europe and on ITV. Described as the "heir apparent to CHRIS FARLOWE" and "The Pavarotti of British Blues"

Interview by Michael Limnios

When was your first desire to become involved in the music & what does Blues offered?
I guess I have always been aware of it’s influence but seriously when  I first heard THRILL IS GONE  by BB KING

What do you learn about yourself from the music, what does the blues mean to you?
The Blues is all, it’s in all we do musically, we just can’t keep it away from our lives, irrespective of musical genre.

Which was the best moment of your career and which was the worst?
Best was opening for RAY CHARLES twice, worst, being bottled off at my local university in 1979!!

What are some of the most memorable tales with Snowy White and Kuma Harada?
Just that they are great musicians and relly nice guys, I learned so much from them and gained a lot of self belif from working with them.

Which is the most interesting period in your life and why?
I’ts always interesting but if I had to pick I would say meeting and working with Charlie Fabert. It has opened me up to new things and given me an opportunity to believe in a project wholeheartedly again.

What experiences in your life make you a GOOD BLUESMAN?
Nearly losing my home, financial struggles, broken hearts, need I say more.

What's been their experience from “studies” from the special benefit concert for Frankie Miller where he performed on stage with Paul Rodgers and Gary Brooker?
This was just a great night and a chance to meet and sing with a lot of my heroes, I will never forget it.

Are there any memories from the Montreux Jazz Festival alongside Eric Clapton, and open act for Ray Charles in Germany in July 92, which you’d like to share with us?
Only that they were life changing experiences and the Jam after was also a special treat, played with Nathan East from Clapton’s band as well as guys from Gladys Knights band.

Some music styles can be fads but the blues is always with us.  Why do think that is? Give one wish for the BLUES
Find a younger audience and continue to be be innovative within it’s many genre’s.

From whom have you have learned the most secrets about blues music?
Be yourself but never forget where it all come’s from.

How has the music business changed over the years since you first started in music?
To quote a famous musician from a massive American band in the 80’s, ‘ THERE WERE ONCE 100 BANDS SELLING A MILLION RECORDS, NOW THERE ARE A MILLION BANDS SELLING A 100 RECORDS’!

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians thinking of pursuing a career in the craft?
Practice, play live as much as you can but most of all, ENJOY it, it’s the best job in the world!  

Tell me a few things about your meet with Frankie Miller & would you mind telling me your most vivid memory from him
Frankie was a lovely guy and I was very flattered that he enjoyed my versions of his songs, I was very touched as he is another hero of mine and watched my performance at The Cambridge Rock Festival in 2006 with Ray Minnhinnet and Full House, great band.

What’s the best jam you ever played in? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had?
Best Jam was the one I mentioned earlier at Montreux. Memorable gigs must include my first with JOHN SLAUGHTER BLUES BAND at the WOMAD festival in 1989 and ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL with HEART and SOUL opening for RAY CHARLES in 1985 and also both my spot’s at RONNIE SCOTTS in 2010 but ther are so many to remember all of them.

Which artists have you worked with & of all the people you’ve meeting with, who do you admire the most?
There are so many great people, I have been lucky and continue to meet many great musicians but ROGER COTTON, ALAN GLEN, MIKE SUMMERLAND, STEVE DIXON, CHARLIE FABERT, PINO PALLADINO, TIM HICKLEY, JEROME RIMSON, MARK SIMKINS, NIK PAYN and MATT WINCH, there are so many and they are all great players.

Which are the best and the worst things in touring?
BEST, playing to loads of good people and being treated well. WORST, waiting around, driving and bad hotels and bad food.

You had pretty interesting project tribute band Fire & Water. Where did you get that idea?
A bit of fun to celebrate our love of FREE/BAD COMPANY and LED ZEP.

Which of historical blues rock personalities would you like to meet? What is your “secret” music DREAM?
Well I would love to talk singing with JOE COCKER or PAUL RODGERS,
Secret Music Dream, no dream just an effort to keep moving on up and have more people like my music and keep working, oh I would have loved to record a JAMES BOND theme tune!  

Paul Cox - Note Music's Website