I am a songwriter and singer with over fifty years in the music business. In fact, a song I wrote in 1966, I’ve Been Told, is available today from Smithsonian Folkways on their site, on iTunes, and Amazon. My style could best be described as Americana. I write songs to last, even those that deal with current events. 

Over the years many well-known artists have recorded my songs and many thousands of people have sung them. The list of recordings includes those by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Sally Rogers, Claudia Schmidt, Sharon, Lois and Bram (Nickelodeon’s Elephant Show), Ed McCurdy, David Massengill, and many more. 

I took a long time off from performing to teach music in public schools and raise a family. But I have kept writing. In fact I have put out two CDs during that time – After the Fire (2003) and The Folk Process (2008). With We Shall Stay Here I am happy to bring you my favorite songs from recent years, plus three selections from my 1982 LP which have never made it onto a CD.

Some kind comments people have made –

Yes, what Paul Kaplan has to offer is incredibly moving and thrilling. This man does indeed have a lot to express and knows how to put his concerns into words and translate them musically. It seems that the classic folk protest has not yet been forgotten and is still alive.
Wolfgang Giese  

I am a big fan of Paul Kaplan. I love his singing; I love his songs.                                                                                                   Pete Seeger

Paul Kaplan has a rare gift for writing and singing songs in the old troubadour tradition. His new CD After the Fire is reminiscent of the works of Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers, with beautiful melodies and strong narratives seamlessly crafted into one classic ballad after another. This is the work of a master.  
David Massengill  

I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by “Carrion Crow” - outstanding match of powerful, tradition-based tune to powerful, poetic lyrics that apply so directly to the tragic state of the world, much of it caused by our own national administration! Again, thank you, and congratulations.  
Ed Brown (U’nI Coffeehouse, Springfield, Mass.) 

Eat your heart out, Wayne Newton.  
Car Talk 

One of the best lyricists America has.  
Chatham Magazine 

You have all the goods in your songwriting. I’m hearing your songs on the lips of many as I travel, so you are making your mark.  
Tom Paxton 

A master at both comic writing and serious composing.... From the moment he started to sing  he had the audience eating right out of the palm of his hand.
Aquarian Weekly 

Back from his tour of Denmark and northern Germany, Paul will be the guest artist at the Amherst Song & Story Swap, September 2 from 7pm. See Events for details.

My recent album – We Shall Stay Here is available on this site

We Shall Stay Here contains twelve songs that reflect the way I see the world. Some may leave you in stitches; some may leave you in tears; some may leave you in your car in the driveway unable to stop listening.

Along with the brilliant engineer, Max Cohen, I have fashioned each cut on the album to maximize both its musicality and its emotional punch. All in all, I think the album represents a ray of light and hope coming out of what has been a bleak time.

The high point for me in preparing this album has been the opportunity to collaborate with some of my musical heroes. My song Let’s Make a Toast is a duet with John Roberts of Roberts and Barrand fame, in which John contributes his distinctive singing voice and also his concertina playing. 

Four of the songs feature pitch-perfect backup from Jay Ungar, composer of Ashokan Farewell and considered by many to be America’s finest fiddler. 

The bottom range on those four songs is filled out by the splendid acoustic bass playing of Molly Mason. 

The title song features my favorite button accordion player, Billy McComiskey, whose sterling reputation got him an invitation to play at the Trump White House. He saved that reputation by saying “No thank you.” 

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