Paul Siegel debuts CD at Warwick Valley Winery

WARWICK — Native New Yorker and alternative folk musician Paul Siegel will debut his CD “After Willoughby Station” in concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at Warwick Valley Winery at 114 Little York Road in Warwick. Siegel is a musician’s musician, respected by his peers as a songwriter, who has an opus of songs in the folk rock tradition. His rhythmic approach merges with the poetry of his lyricism, lending a timeless quality to his music. Reminiscent of a young Bob Dylan, Siegel’s voice ranges from a quiet intimacy to an enthusiastic growl. In the tradition of Tom Waits, Paul Simon and Neil Young, Siegel has been writing and performing since he was an adolescent growing up in the lower Hudson River Valley. His high school band members later went on to form “Junoon,” Pakistan’s first rock band that mixed traditional Pakistani folk music and religious rapture, in the genre of ethnic rock. Junoon skyrocketed into fame, and referred to as the Beatles of Asia. “Dogtalk,” Seigel’s band, built a cult following during his college years at Syracuse University, and eventually led the ensemble to San Francisco. In the heyday of San Francisco’s Road Houses, they performed alongside musicians like Les Claypool of “Primus” and Michael Franti of “Spearhead.” Then the tragic loss of his father derailed Siegel from his promising musical career. He spent the next decade underground, developing his craft as a songwriter, exploring themes of hardship and perseverance. In the early 90s, he formed a new band, “Charlie Django,” with bassist John Evans, who would later join up with Tori Amos, and Scott Amendola, drummer with Charlie Hunter. The “indy-grunge rock” era brought a heavier sound to his songs, but he remained faithful to American roots. Produced by the independent label, RNG Records, “After Willoughby Station” will be performed at Warwick Valley Winery. Siegel will be accompanied by a variety of guest musicians, including Michael Farkas, one of the original “Dogtalk” members who is now playing with the internationall group WIYOS. Also appearing with Siegel from the San Francisco Bay Area will be Ira Levin and Julia Bordenaro of “Vocolot,” who will be providing vocal harmonies. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door. For more information and directions, visit www.paulsiegel.com or www.wvwinery.com, or call 986-1989.