Roland’s first album
The Werewolf of London (1980), which boasted a penchant for historical and supernatural themes was picked up by Armageddon Records in the UK, who at the time also had the Soft Boys on their roster. And it was there that Paul met Robyn Hitchcock who later appeared on tracks for Paul’s second album. After an abortive flirtation with the music business, when he was managed by David Enthoven (manager of Roxy Music) and June Bolan (widow of Marc Bolan), Roland returned to Armageddon Records for the mini-album
Burnt Orchids. Its title track was the first to feature Paul backed by a small string and woodwind ensemble, a trademark of many of his albums of the 80-ies and 90-ies.
The success of the album led to Paul's first tours in Europe, label deals in France (New Rose Records), Germany (Pastell), Greece (DiDi Music), Italy (Diva Records), the USA (Revolver) and Japan (Century Records) and offers to work with film composer Michael Nyman and members of the Velvet Underground. Other cult figures such as Robyn Hitchcock, Nick Saloman (a.k.a. The Bevis Frond), Nick Nicely, and Andy Ellison (of
John's Children) made guest appearances on Paul’s subsequent albums, several of which are now listed as highly collectable including the psych cult classic
Danse Macabre, the acoustic based mini-albums
A Cabinet Of Curiosities and
Happy Families with stories of eccentric characters that might have been written by H.G. Wells, M.R. James and Jules Verne is set to music that invites comparison with the best early work of Al Stewart, Marc Bolan and Syd Barrett, the rockier
Duel with its medieval-tinged three-song suite
The King Must Die and the folk rock outing
Masque,
Roaring Boys, a mini-album of cover versions entitled
Strychnine,
Sarabande and
Gargoyles which completed the first chapter of the Roland discography in 1997.
Then Roland took a seven year break from music in 1997 to raise his two young sons and write a series of books on mysticism and true crime.
In 2002 Roland returned with an appearance at the Herbstnächte-Festival in Berlin in September of that year. After that a series of ‘subtle but significantly improved’ re-issues appeared, beginning with
Duel which was released by Haunted Forest Records in Greece (2002).
Then in 2004 Roland returned with his first new album in seven years, the largely acoustic
Pavane, which was released on Roland’s own (revamped) label Gaslight Records. The album provided a further glimpse into his mind including a brief baroque instrumental piece that he had discussed recording with film composer Michael Nyman many years earlier. This album was re-issued by Black Widow Records in Italy in 2006.
In June 2007 Roland released his first new rock album for many years
Re-Animator, which features musicians who have recorded with Caravan, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Hillage and many great musicians of the 1960s Canterbury music scene. This album was released by Black Widow Records in Italy and re-issued as an expanded edition by Syborgmusic in Germany.
In 2008 Roland’s album
Nevermore was released on Syborgmusic in Germany. This album has a selection of songs in a variety of styles from seafaring folk to psych-pop and more whimsical fantasy this time inspired by Poe and Jules Verne. The album contains a three song cinematic soundtrack suite called
The Last Voyage Of The Nautilus.
Discography (a selection)
The complete Paul Roland discography (1979-2009) is very extensive and comprises 87 releases and appearances on 38 Various Artists compilations until today.
- Oscar Automobile (shared double A-side 7” single - 1979)
- The Werewolf Of London (as Midnight Rags LP - 1980)
- Blades Of Battenburg (12" - 1983)
- Burnt Orchids (LP - 1985)
- Death Or Glory (12" - 1986)
- House Of Dark Shadows (compilation CD/LP/MC - 1986)
- Gabrielle (12" - 1987)
- Danse Macabre (CD/LP - 1987)
- A Cabinet Of Curiosities (CD/LP - 1987)
- Alice's House (12" - 1987)
- Confessions Of An Opium Eater (‘Best Of’ LP - 1987)
- Happy Families (CD/LP - 1988)
- Duel (CD/LP - 1989)
- Acoustic Radio Sessions 1986-88 (LP - 1989)
- Live In Italy (CD/LP - 1990)
- Masque (CD/LP - 1990)
- Roaring Boys (CD/LP - 1991)
- Strychnine (CD - 1992)
- Sarabande (CD - 1994)
- Live In Germany (CD - 1995)
- Waxworks (‘Best Of’ 2CD - 1995)
- Gargoyles (CD - 1997)
- Duel (re-issued CD - 2002)
- Gaslight Tales (Best Of CD - 2003)
- Pavane (CD/LP - 2004)
- StrychnineAnd Other Potent Poisons (re-issued CD/LP - 2005)
- Re-Animator (CD/LP - 2007)
- The Werewolf Of London (re-issued on CD - 2007)
- Danse Macabre & Burnt Orchids (re-issued on CD - 2008)
- Nevermore (CD - 2008)
- A Cabinet Of Curiosities & Happy Families (re-issued on CD - 2009)
- Demos (CD - 2009)
- Duel - 20th Anniversary Reissue (CD - 2010)
- In Memorium 1980-2010 (2CD released to mark Roland's 30 year recording career)
