“This Curious Wonder” is the 13th album by Paul Adams.

The highly recommended CD “This Curious Wonder” by Peorian Paul Adams (as pd adams) is a bright blend of contradictions, like existence.

Ambitious and accessible, ethereal and familiar, wistful and poetic yet brash and bold, the 12-cut record causes feelings of dread and glee, lethargy and, yes, wonder.

Known as an award-winning instrumental recording artist, Adams is thoughtful and serious but less intensely sober than shrewdly observant and eminently enjoyable.

Helped by a few musicians, including Peorian David Hoffman (Ray Charles’ long-time horn player and arranger), the material has the range of musical/philosophical libraries. Adams’ baritone and delicate acoustic plucking soothe “Sometimes I Feel,” the storytelling of “Man at 4th & Vine” feels like John Prine narrated by Ken Nordine’s “Word Jazz,” the relatively uptempo “Spark” contrasts delicately with the celebratory anthem “Winters Year,” which conjures thoughts of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” as if one of its many fine covers was done by Lou Reed; and “Old Faded Photo” could be Gordon Lightfoot performing some Allen Ginsberg beat poem about memories.

A line within “Somewhere in Time” might offer a theme: “It all seems like a dream.”

Indeed, “This Curious Wonder” is a little like some satisfying half-asleep musing about the mysteries of love and life.

Go to www.pauladams.org. Order via https://pauladams.bandcamp.com/album/this-curious-wonder.