Belle by Paul Tiernan
CD review

PAUL TIERNAN
Music weaves its magic web into most aspects of our daily lives though it is hard to determine why some music leaves us cold yet other melodies can touch us deeply. Could it be that any music which is in sympathy with our personality and current mood will please us best?
Paul Tiernan is relatively unknown in Australia, his new CD Belle will please many as it demonstrates the essence of the songwriter’s art with his superbly crafted confessional songs. Words flow over memorable guitar lines and understated arrangements, ranging in style from a laconic solo guitar to jazz influences and Gallic accordion playing.
Hot Press describes Tiernan as “The master of the poignant love song” think of Tim Buckley meets Donovan. Stand out tracks are the very personal title track with its line “mistakes are accidents we choose”, while the poignant Little Hands starts gently and builds into strings with voices echoing the chorus. The accordion laced Stones has a dream like quality while Mr Smile starts gently with voice and guitar building into a string laden climax, then comes the childlike Little Hands which is pure magic. While the mysterious girl on the CD cover is Tiernan’s Bell, the title could certainly be a description of his music.
http://www.paultiernan.com