PORT ANGELES — Paul Chasman often jokes that he’s been reincarnated.
And as Shakespeare noted, many a true word has been said in jest.
Chasman, a fierce guitar man for a few decades, is now a singer-songwriter, revisiting his erstwhile home in Port Angeles.
Along with his group the Great Gatleys — vocalist Laurie Gatley and her mate, bassist Dan Gatley — Chasman will bring a batch of original songs to Studio Bob, 118½ E. Front St., this Saturday night.
Admission to the 7 p.m. show is $10, with tickets at the door.
Now a resident of Portland, Ore., Chasman’s latest record is “There’s an Elephant in My Room,” a collection of his songs and a follow-up to 2012’s “Basics,” his first album as a vocalist.
That endeavor grew from an injury: In 2011 Chasman had to undergo surgery on his left hand, and during his recovery could barely hold a G chord on his guitar.
This after 50 years of playing his chosen instrument.
So the guitarist took voice lessons from Michael Rivers of Port Angeles.
And he wrote songs about “life, love, dogs and cats,” as he often summarizes it.
Chasman and the Gatleys — “they both sing like angels,” he says — will offer such songs along with newer numbers including “Old School,” about an “old” guy who is supposedly “out of touch and out of time.”
“I’ve written quite a few lately that are more poetic and introspective, like ‘On the Other Hand’ and ‘Behind the Mask,’ ” Chasman adds.
Then there’s “King of Vegas,” his reflection on Donald Trump.
Chasman is a believer in humor as a delivery system for art.
He can be political and historical in his songs about Sarah Palin and Muhammad Ali.
He can be ecumenical about pets with “Hooray! I’m a Dog” and his feline soliloquy “I’m So Special.”
After Dan Gatley played bass on the 14 tracks of “There’s an Elephant in My Room,” he and Chasman threw a CD-release party in Portland, and Laurie Gatley sang harmonies on a few songs.
This came off so well that Laurie began sitting in at more Chasman gigs, and soon the Great Gatleys were part of a trio.
Both Dan and Laurie are veterans of rock, funk and swing outfits ranging from Jamie’s Rock and Roll Legends to the 13-piece Carl Smith Big Band.
So here is the reincarnated, recovered Chasman: Singing songs he hopes will make listeners think — and laugh.
“Our vocal arrangements are fun and interesting,” he adds, “and I play a pretty mean guitar.”
