Eli “Paperboy” Reed & the True Loves

“Am I Wasting My Time?“
from the album Roll With You
2008
iTunes

“I just want to make people feel something,” says Eli Reed of his band, The True Loves. “You’ve got to get the audience emotionally involved and make people feel what you’re feeling. That’s the whole point of soul music.” Amen to that.

The Paperboy, so called because of a dapper flat paperboy cap of his grandfather’s he used to don, seemingly has an understanding of this music that far surpasses his 24 years of age. With an impressive vocal range, some vintage threads, a solid band backing him up and some bang-on-the-money production, this is a refreshing tip back to some good ol’ fashioned R&B and soul circa 1967. From the heartfelt ballads (with a nod to Otis Redding and Van Morrisson) to the pitch perfect falsetto screams over dancefloor stompers, Eli Reed socks it to ’em and then some.

What sets him apart from other artists in this genre is his songwriting and the production, retaining an authentic sound true to the music — a true love of the music to roll with. So let it roll with you: “If a record comes on and makes you want to dance right away, then you’re doing a good job,” he says. “If a record comes on and makes you want to cry right away, then you’re also doing a good job. I think this album does both.” Not that he wants to blow his own trumpet or anything (he plays guitar anyway).