From SCENE Magazine – London, Ontario

A Rumour of Angels
Paul Humphrey with Chamber Orchestra
Black Hen Music., 2007

The history of modern popular music is replete with the influence of classical composition. Singer/songwriter Paul Humphrey taps this rich vein for his first solo release, A Rumour of Angels. In collaboration with Canadian composers Paul Alexander and Patric Caird, as well as members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Humphrey has created a recording that is gorgeous, challenging and redemptive, integrating the best elements of song craftsmanship with inspired instrumental arrangements. These are pop songs for people who love chamber music.

The opening cut, The Lovers Told Me, reaches forward into the future and back to the past, resulting in a piece of music which sounds altogether timeless. Players weave delicate violin figures as if they are strings of light pulled taut over a bottomless rhythm while plaintive vocals long to impart the wisdom of their knowing. Sweet is moving and powerful, the melody borne by a fine lyric which affirms the inner reserves of strength we all call upon in moments of crisis. Eastern and folk elements are showcased in People Let You Down, and Stronger Than You Know couples brooding, militant percussive phrases with solemn strings, fostering a tension ultimately cathartic in its finality. This CD is a cinematic sojourn through deep passions writ large, an almost mythic rendering of a profoundly personal artistic journey which will benefit anybody who is ready to take the trip.

From John Sakamoto's anti-hit list

Though an album of music inspired by Ravel and Debussy, arranged for chamber orchestra, and recorded with members of the Vancouver Symphony would seem like a radical departure for this former Blue Peter frontman, it actually feels like a relatively organic progression from Humphrey's last band, the underappreciated Broken Arrow. Here's hoping the same fate doesn't befall this worthy project. (From A Rumour of Angels, myspace.com/paulhumphreymusic)

From Amazon music reviews

Nice Hybrid!, Sep 25 2007

By Andrew Torrence "torrence" (Vancouver) - What a great CD! Some seriously romantic music here! The unusual hybrid of classical music with 'popular song' is really inspired. I find my visual imagination runs wild with these tracks. The lyrics are poetic, haunting, now and then a touch of melancholy, and always thoughtful and intelligent - the more I listen the more I discover. Truly original. This CD is a real accomplishment - absolutely unique in my experience. I highly recommend it.

From Amazon music reviews

Old fan renewed!, Sep 17 2007

By Ana M "Life is Beautiful" (Toronto, Canada )
I was a fan of Blue Peter back in the day, so when I heard a song on the radio from Paul Humphrey, I was curious to check it out. I'm glad I did too. It's different then before because it's only him singing with an orchestra but I like it still. You could say it's more mature, like I guess a lot of his old fans are (or should be!) but the voice is still there and I find it very easy to get lost in. One song (Madness) really gets to my heart in a good way and I tear up, which isn't an easy thing for me to do. I'm grateful for that. I'd liken it to a cross between Rufus Wainright and Leonard Cohen. I grab for this one on all sorts of occasions (more than the other new stuff I've got) so it must be good!