Frankie Paul Explained
| Frankie Paul |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Name: | Paul Blake |
| Birth Date: | 19 October 1965 |
| Birth Place: | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Death Place: | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genre: | Reggae, dancehall, lovers rock |
| Instruments: | Vocals, piano, drums |
| Years Active: | 1980–2017 |
| Label: | VP, Jammy's, RAS |
Paul Blake (19 October 1965[1] – 18 May 2017), better known as Frankie Paul, was a Jamaican dancehall reggae artist. Born blind, he has been dubbed by some 'The Jamaican Stevie Wonder'.
Biography
Born in Jamaica in 1965,[2] Blake was born blind but as a child had his sight partially restored by an operation on a hospital ship.[3] [4] He sang for, and impressed Stevie Wonder when Wonder visited the school that Blake attended, prompting him to pursue a singing career.
Adopting the stage name Frankie Paul, he first found fame in the early 1980s, and he recorded prolifically throughout the decade. He recorded for virtually every producer/studio in Jamaica at some time, and was known to release several albums a year.
Notable works of Frankie Paul include the popular "Sara" and "Worries in the Dance".[5]
Paul resided in The Gambia from 1994.[5] In January 2016, he underwent surgery to amputate a foot and part of his leg.[6]
Frankie Paul died on 18 May 2017 from complications with his liver at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.[7] [8]
Discography
Albums
- Give the Youth a Chance (1982), Freedom Sounds – also released as Rich & Poor
- Pass the Tu-Sheng-Peng (1985), Nyam Up
- Tidal Wave (1985), Greensleeves[9]
- Over the Wall (1985), Crystal
- Still Alive (1985), Jammy's
- Shut Up Bway (1986), Ujama
- Sara (1987), Jammy's (JA) / Live & Love (UK/US)
- Warning (1987), RAS
- Alesha (1987)[2]
- Fire Deh a Mus Tail (1988), Blacka Dread
- Dance Hall Duo (1988), RAS
- Slow Down (1988), VP
- Frankie Paul at Studio One (1988), Studio One
- Veteran (1989), VP
- Reaching Out (1989), Blue Mountain
- Can't Get You Out of My Mind (1990), Rohit
- Detrimental (1990), Rohit
- Get Closer (1990), Profile
- Start of Romance (1991), Sonic Sounds
- Best in Me (1991), VP
- Let's Chill (1991), VP
- Jamming (1991), VP
- Should I (1991), Heartbeat
- Money Talk (1991), Jammy's
- Sleepless Night (1992), Sonic Sounds
- Hot Number (1992), VP
- Tomorrow (1992), Sonic Sounds
- Cassanova (1992), Dynamic Sounds
- Live & Love (1992), VP
- Sizzling (1992), VP
- Don Man (1993), Philo
- Talk All You Want (1994), VP
- Hard Work (1994), RAS
- Time Less (1995), Tan-yah
- If You Want Me Girl (1995), Trojan
- Come Back Again (1996), VP
- Freedom (1996), RAS
- A We Rule (1997), RAS
- Live at Maritime Hall (1999), Artists Only
- Give Me That Feeling Freedom Blues (1999), Foxtail
- Forever (1999), World
- Rock On (1999), Charm
- Every Nigger Is a Star! (2000), Greensleeves
- Remember the Time (2001), Artists Only
- I Be Hold (2001), T.P.
- Don't Wanna Get Funky (2001), Prestige Elite
- Sara (2002), Fatman
- Blessed Me (2002), Scorpio
- Hardcore Loving (2003), Charm
- Asking for Love (2004), Jet Star
- Who Issued the Guns (2006), Music Avenue
- Are You Ready (2007), Cousins
- Best of Friends (2007), Charm
- Tink Say Dem Know Me (2008), Jet Star
- Most Wanted (2011), Greensleeves[10]
Notes and References
- Book: The Reggae & African Beat. 6–7. 1987. Bongo Productions. 18.
- Web site: Steve Huey . Frankie Paul | Biography. AllMusic. 2013-09-15.
- Book: Larkin, Colin. 1998. The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae. Virgin Books. 0-7535-0242-9. 219–220.
- Book: Moskowitz, David V.. 2006. Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall. Greenwood Press. 0-313-33158-8. 233.
- Web site: Singer Frankie Paul takes stand. Jamaica Observer. 18 March 2014. 17 March 2014.
- News: Bonitto, Brian. Frankie Paul on the mend. Jamaica Observer. 21 January 2016. 29 January 2016.
- News: Henry, Balford. Reggae singer Frankie Paul is dead. Jamaica Observer. 19 May 2017. 19 May 2017.
- News: Frankie Paul obituary. 24 May 2017. The Guardian. Peter. Mason. 24 May 2017.
- Web site: Greensleeves - Frankie Paul. https://web.archive.org/web/20070222090937/http://www.greensleeves.net/bio/biogfrankie.html. 22 February 2007.
- Web site: David Jeffries. Most Wanted – Frankie Paul | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. AllMusic. 2011-06-07. 2013-09-15.
