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Paul Needs

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About Me

A former Journalist and editor, Paul Needs has been successfully performing solo around Wales for the last 15 years or more. His most recent album is a tribute to The Shadows called "Shadow Play", which is MCPS licenced and on sale at his web site .His previous album, a Swing CD called "Hot & Cool" is both on sale at CDBaby and Paul's site , but is also available for legal MCPS-licensed download via Apple iTunes , Sony Connect, MSN Music, Wal-Mart, Virgin.com, AOL Music Now and many others.

His covers CD, "Don't Ask Me (I'm just the guitar player)" features songs he performs in his live shows and is available via his web-site and at shows , while his last original album, “Songs From The Long Land” is available world-wide via the CDBaby web site , and is also available for download from Apple iTunes and Microsoft’s MSN Music. Paul - a guitarist/multi-instrumentalist and vocalist of no mean ability in any respect - performs a non-stop selection of massive hits, both with and without guitar. This year, he has added some ecapology, psychic and other magical illusions to his show - in select venues.
Paul is no stranger to the stage, having been a musician for most of his life. His first TV appearence was playing recorder on "Wales Today" at 11 years old, & he went on to play French Horn in The West Glamorgan Youth Orchestra at the age of 13. He took up guitar a year later.
Studied drama at 'O' level (those were the days!), playing Creon in school production of Antigone, and the part of The Singer in Caucasian Chalk Circle. Only done supporting artist work on Pobl Y cwm and Casualty since then, but hey, the money's ok for hanging around doing bugger all all day.
His original & cover recordings have been played on a number of radio stations - including BBC Radio Wales, Swansea Sound/The Wave and Red Dragon Radio; both when a member of south Wales rock band "The Reactions", and as a solo performer.He has shared the stage with the legendary Man band, played bass for Brian Connolly (It's a puppet!), jammed with rock-blues legend Rory Gallagher and performed everywhere from small pubs to 4,000-seater halls.He has appeared at the Grand Hotel in Llandudno, The Beaufort Theatre in Ebbw Vale, The Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, and at Swansea Grand Theatre. More theatre performances are lined up in the near future.

Also see the BBC's Microsite about Paul at BBC Wales Music Paul Needs CDs

Click on the Pix for more details

CD Album
"Hot & Cool"

Classic Swing Hits by Paul Needs

Download from Apple iTunes

CD Album
"Shadow Play"

Hits of the Shadows performed by Paul Needs

CD Album
"Don't Ask Me (I'm Just The Guitar Player"


CD Album
"Songs From The Long Lands" A Collection of Original material written and performed by Paul

Download from Apple iTunes

Also download from His MASSCHARTS page!

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/4/2006
Band Website: paulneeds.com
Band Members: Hot & Cool

Download Paul Needs Hot & Cool Ring TonesAlso see the BBC's Microsite about Paul atBBC Wales Music Paul's Magic & Illusion consultants and suppliers are Eric and Elsie Black of Golden Wand Magic, Unit 1, InShops, Aberafan Shopping Centre, Port Talbot.
These top-class mages both make and retail magical equipment, and can be contacted with enquiries on 07963 463 855 Paul Is listed on www.magician-directory.com



Influences: Many many many - from Frank Sinatra, to The Who, Beatles to Beethoven, but including the likes of:Beatles, Blondie, Byrds, Kinks, Stones, New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders, The Shadows, The Rat Pack, George Harrison... and many of those listed in my friends.
Sounds Like: Great music - rock, swing, whatever.Not 'rnb' or 'dance'. RnB to me means something else entirely, like Doctor Feelgood or 9 Below Zero...
Record Label: PNM Recordings
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Crossing the Severn Bridge... Part 2

On refelection, a very enjoyable evening. it started off brilliantly - I  arrived at the venue to find my old band's roady and school friend from years ago waiting to see me - Phil lives in Brist...
Posted by Paul Needs on Sun, 09 Sep 2007 08:05:00 PST

Crossing The Severn Bridge..

Crossing the Severn Bridge.. ..and playing my first show in Bristol for many years!It's at:Bishopsworth Royal British Legion Club,Manor Rd, Bishopsworth, Bristol. BS13 8EPGot quite a nice feeling of ...
Posted by Paul Needs on Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:29:00 PST

New Upload - Bells of Rhymney

I've uploaded my version of a fabulous song by Idris Davies and Pete Seeger.I've played in all the towns mentioned in the song, and get quite a chill whenever I hear it. Indeed, I'll be playing a lot ...
Posted by Paul Needs on Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:32:00 PST

Blues 101

Blues 101If you are new to Blues music, or like it but never really understood thewhys and wherefores, here are some very fundamental rules:1. Most Blues begin with: "Woke up this morning...."2. "I go...
Posted by Paul Needs on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:33:00 PST

Guitarists.. a breed apart.

Q: What's the difference between a guitar player and a large pizza? A: A large pizza can feed a family of four. Q: What do you call a guitar player that only knows two chords? A: A professional music ...
Posted by Paul Needs on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 03:39:00 PST

This weekend - shows

Having had a cracking night in The Wig in Swansea last night, here are the details for the rest of the weekend:Friday - Merthyr Strikers Football Club Saturday - Bonymaen RFC Sunday - Maesteg Cel...
Posted by Paul Needs on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:08:00 PST

Magic!

You may have noticed that I've taken up magic as both a new hobby/interest, and also I incorporate some into my shows. I've read and watched lots of stuff, but this video has to be the most useful I'v...
Posted by Paul Needs on Tue, 29 May 2007 03:08:00 PST

Singers Prediction for Hospital Trust Fund-Raiser

Singer's Prediction for Hospital Trust Fund-Raiser   Port Talbot's multi-talented entertainer, Paul Needs, is delighted to have been invited to perform at the Swansea NHS Trust Womens and Childr...
Posted by Paul Needs on Thu, 01 Mar 2007 03:19:00 PST

New work in Progress.

Well. It's been quite some time since I wrote any new original material in anger - in fact, it was a song about the banning of smoking in my favourite restaurant - a song called "Sid Says"Here in Wale...
Posted by Paul Needs on Thu, 23 Nov 2006 07:50:00 PST

Burned Bum!

Just HAD to post this.. Have a look at this page.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/6132140.stmI've uploaded a clip of the Radio 2 news bulletin from yesterday about it to my web site -...
Posted by Paul Needs on Sat, 11 Nov 2006 04:21:00 PST