Paul Pena: New Train (2000)

(As published in the Times of Acadiana ... )

Paul Pena
New Train
(Hybrid)

Because this soulful, difficult to categorize 1973 album contains the original version of the Steve Miller Band hit “Jet Airliner,” it’s left its mark on rock-and-roll even though it’s gone unreleased until now. What does it sound like? Like Three Dog Night on a social-consciousness jag, backed by Rod Stewart’s Every Picture Tells a Story band with Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stewart fighting for the upper hand at the production console. Sort of. Rating: Four books of dreams out of five.