Paula Cole
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Paula Cole - An American singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, who rose to stardom with her popular theme song for the teen drama series --Dawson's Creek. Rising to prominence in the mid-90's in the wake of alternative's commercial breakthrough, Paula Cole was known for her poetic and introspective lyrics that made what she is.
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About
Paula Cole was born on April 5, 1968 at Rockport, Massachusetts (a small fishing village), to parents Stephanie (a visual artist) and Jim Cole (an entomologist and bass player in a polka band). At an early age, she took up piano and clarinet lessons. During high school, Cole was a straight-A student, a counselor, junior homecoming queen and a three-time class president. At the age of 18, she continued her education at Berklee College of Music and studied improvisation and jazz vocals where she also sang in a gospel choir. She became a professional and worked as a hired musician in order to make a living. In 1993, she began writing poetry, prose and her own music.
Her first big break came when Peter Gabriel invited her to perform in his would tour, replacing Sinead O'Connor. She appeared in Gabriel's album Secret World Live in 1994 and shortly afterwards, she signed a deal with Imago Records. Her debut album Harbinger was released in July 1994 but was ultimately sabotaged when Imago Records went out of business. A year after, she signed a contract with Warner Brothers and reissued Harbinger in October 1995. She toured as the opening act for Sarah McLachlan, Peter Gabriel and Melissa Etheridge, to support her album.
Cole returned to the studio to records her sophomore effort in 1996. This Fire is entirely a self-produced and self-penned album, released in October of the same year. With the hit singles Where Have All The Cowboys Gone? and I Don't Want To Wait (used as the theme for the popular teen soap opera Dawson's Creek), earned her seven Grammy nominations. She has done extensive touring in support of her album and as a part of the first Lilith Fair event with Jewel, Joan Osbourne, Fiona Apple, and Melissa Etheridge in 1997. Not long after the release of her second single, Me was released as the third single, which also became a radio hit.
Her third album, Amen, released in 1999 with her newly formed band Paula Cole Band(with her former Berklee classmates Jay Bellerose on drums and Kevin Barry on guitars), was very different from her previous album since it was hip-hop and R&B influenced. Featuring the guest appearances of TLC's T-Boz, Missy Elliott and Gang Starr's DJ Premier. The lead single I Believe In Love became a hit, thanks to the remixed version. Despite the well-received dance remix, it didn't match to the success achieved by her second album This Fire.
Warner Brothers subsequently rejected a fourth album, which was recorded with veteran producer Hugh Padgham. Cole was forced to distribute the tracks to her website to make it available to the listening public. Afterwards, she took a break and focused on raising her daughter, Sky Hakmoun.
A greatest hits album Postcards From East Oceanside was released on June 2006 under Rhino. Each album is different from the other which only proves that Paula Cole has grown personally and musically in each album she release.
Awards & Certifications
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Grammy Awards | Best New Artist |
Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | Billboard | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Where Have All The Cowboys Gone? | 8 | This Fire |
| 1998 | I Don't Want To Wait | 11 | This Fire |
| Me | 35 | This Fire |
News
Tours & Concerts
Lessons In Life Tour in July '08 - To Be Announced
Announcements
Discography
Comprehensive list of the recordings made.
Albums
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Singles
| Date | Title | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Where Have All The Cowboys Gone | Warner Brothers | This Fire |
| 1998 | I Don't Want To Wait | Warner Brothers | This Fire |
| Me | Warner Brothers | This Fire | |
| Hush Hush Hush | Warner Brothers | This Fire | |
| 1999 | I Believe In Love | Warner Brothers | Amen |
Compilations & Live Releases
Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Trivia
- Paula Cole is the only woman to be ever nominated in the Producer of the Year category for Grammys.
Reviews
External Links
Categories: Artist | Folk | Rock
