Anne-Marie Jennings
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 21/98) - Yellowknife musician, Paul Carroll spent last weekend in Fort Smith playing in the South Slave Friendship Festival.

This week, Carroll is working to get his first CD out on store shelves around the city.

"I've had the CD in my hands for about a week and a half," says Carroll. He began working on the CD last May.

Born in Ireland, Carroll came to Canada 17 years ago, living most of that time in Saskatchewan. Before moving to Yellowknife two years ago, he spent some time in Los Angeles doing some studio work.

"It seemed like the logical thing to do (to put out my own album)," he says. "I found an investor and decided to do it."

On his new release, Clear Blue, Carroll presents a collection of 16 songs. His music hints of the influences of a number of well-known musicians such as Peter Gabriel, Sting, Seal and U2.

But he is in no rush to join their ranks by a given deadline.

"I'm not trying to be Bono and that's probably a good thing. That kind of thing happens on its own."

Carroll's talent is evident on his CD. He not only wrote all the songs which appear on Clear Blue, but plays seven instruments on the album -- not to mention that he also produced the album.

Carroll says he can play 19 instruments in total, but the number of instruments he can play is not the most important thing to him.

"You pick them up and don't even necessarily notice you've learned how to play a new instrument," he says. "If it's what you love to do, it's not something you think about."

"Do what you love first. Money will come later."

Carroll says playing music is something he enjoys. He doesn't force himself to sit and write songs or to play his instruments.

"You can't force the music because it will come when you have something to say. If you know your way around melody or harmony, you can punch something out which doesn't say anything or move you."

"What you have to remember is that some of the greatest songs of all time are the simplest."

Carroll says he thoroughly enjoyed his experience playing at last week's festival in Fort Smith.

"There was no real attitude from anyone at the festival," he says. "I didn't get the chance to jam with anyone, but there was a real sense of friendship at the festival."

"I'd certainly go back again."

Clear Blue, Carroll's debut release, could be in stores in the coming weeks.