Eli “Paperboy” Reed Makes Oldies New Again

Hits and Misses -Album Cover

Earlier this month, singer-songwriter Eli “Paperboy” Reed released his third single “Do It Again” off his forthcoming album Hits And Misses: The Singles, set to release on October 20.

The album is a collection of songs that were previously only available on 45 rpm singles at the merchandise table during Reed’s international touring career. As we patiently await the 11-track album release later this fall, Reed has given listeners a taste of what is to come, with his latest release, his own spin on the Steely Dan original. Adding influences of jazz and R&B works in Reed’s favor as this classic transitions into something sultry with a hint of mystery. 

Eli “Paperboy” Reed / photo by Ray Lego

Reed says his concept for the Steely Dan cover “(inspired by the sounds of my friend Nick Waterhouse) came fast. I took my Brooklyn crew into my favorite all-analog studio at the time, Stockholm Street Sound and we got to work.”

Reed is no stranger to reimagining tracks, as one of his past releases from the album, Motörhead’s classic “Ace of Spades,” creates a revival with soulful beats fused with a country root. 

Listeners can also expect three original songs on the album, one being the upbeat and toe tapping anthem “IDKWYCTD (I Came to Play).” As Reed experiments with vocals recorded at Hive Mind Recording in Bushwick, the electric guitar as his base, the song builds levels. Things start off with jazzy sways, and end with rock-infused high pitched notes above organized musical chaos.   

Other tracks expected to be included on the album are covers of Bob Dylan’s “To Be Alone With You,” Merle Haggard’s “I’m Gonna Break Every Heart I Can,” and Latimore’s “Let’s Straighten It Out.”

To celebrate his 8th album release and two-decade long career, Reed is kicking things off On October 14 with a 40th Birthday Bash at Union Pool in Brooklyn. You can listen to Hits And Misses: The Singles this October anywhere you stream music.