Rumplestiltskin's Resolve (me neither) is effectively the last of them, with only the worthwhile vault clean-out Spaced before a move to RCA and the disappointing Transcendence. All his qualities are here - an idiosyncratic way with structure and melody, a wilful avoidance of convention, and a joy in shared musicality. There isn't a second during the course of this album that doesn't repay attention with delight. His faults are close siblings to his qualities; a tendency to shoehorn in as many obscure syllables to a line as possible (the "effluvium of excess" indeed), and David Crosby's political depth. The strident hectoring of Wailing Wall made it a dealbreaker until I replaced it with We Came To Say Goodbye from the album sessions, a twelve minute Headhunters-quality jazz-funk workout that should have made the cut.
A glittering treasure of an album, and a constant companion over the decades. His best album? Right now it'll do.
Posted in response to Hairnets In Space's enthusiasm!
ReplyDeleteHie away
Oh my! Thanks. My morphic resonance meter must still be in good order, as only this week I ordered Faces. But I can see myself hoovering up all his A & M albums, including this one. I was really taken by Contribution - an astonishing musical and vocal talent, with a striking self-confidence. Seems a little short on laughs, and his more folky vocal mannerisms can occasionally alarm, but there's an overwhelming sense that he means every minute of it, and you can't ask for more than that from an artist. From my low orbit among the space debris, I'm hearing things I've never heard before. Thanks again.
ReplyDelete1. Hairnets in space sound ill-advised unless you are sharing your space helmet with them dirty space station immigrants from foreign speaking nations.
Delete2. ... Um, I guess that was it ... see #1
3. On second thought, hairnets seem VERY well advised in relation to this album cover. Hazmat suits too! Look at all them foreigners! Two types of Indians alone!!
Ditch the earthly tribal obsessions and sign up to some universal oneness with Shawn.
DeleteHairnets, your summary is dead-on. Maybe his earnestness is a Texan trait he shares with Nesmith, who also subscribes to the cosmic, with a similar vocal timbre. There's a control-freak precision to them both that makes me think they might be tedious company in a bar but is necessary for their art. You have to forgive Shawn the irritating stuff with the wordage, because there's so much else happening. I'm listening to Rumple right now - the interplay between the musicians is nothing short of stunning, and there's no grandstanding, not even from Shawn.
DeleteThe lone seeker is a powerful narrative in popular music. I guess it stems from the folk tradition. But Phillips really does convince as one its prime movers. There is an uncompromising intensity about him that probably put a lot of people off, and dented record sales, but for me, this intensity is a large part of the appeal. You can have the songs and the voice and the lyrics, but you've also got to have the presentation - the consistent narrative tone - and I think that's a really hard thing to get right. It requires a lot of self-conscious discipline for ordinary mortals. With Shawn Philips, this tone appears to flow out of him effortlessly, and it's a rare gift. Sure, he's no Loudon Wainwright III, and clearly doesn't want to be. Jokes would just spoil the show (unless they were arch, knowing ones about Greek gods or something).
DeleteDiscipline is the right word. He was a dedicated yoga practitioner, not just a poser, and breath control is at the heart of his technique. That incredible range and ability to hold the note aren't gifts he was born with - he trained his voice as an instrument - he's more a musician than a singer, in a way. You're right about the integrity, too. Once you accept his seeming pretentiousness as an honest attempt to take his music - and us - furthur, you're on the bus for good. When he swoops into the stratosphere it can send authentic shivers up your spine.
DeleteTo his credit, he didn't attach himself to the hem of a guru's robe (the lazy way to a marketable "enlightemnment" - cf McLaughlin, Santana, and others) he "did his own thing". While others were trekking to the Mystic East, he holed up in Positano, Italy. Great video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQS4NY_CrYs
The quality is pretty poor, but the heat and light shine through. No-one else was in his tree.
Let us know how you get on with Faces - there's some moments of transcendent beauty there.
I agree with hairnet: totally needs more Greek mythology jokes!
DeleteWhat do you call the Greek God of Humour?
Hilarios.
What do you call a Greek god who wants to lose weight?
A Diety
Which Greek God loved to collect animals?
Zoos
HAHAHahAha ha h a ..h..a.... (crickets)
But seriously, thanks for turning me on to this cat -- this is right up my alley (one of many) and I never heard of him before. That video was totally "woke" or "lit" or whatever they are calling it these days.
Roman god of fire? Bacchus Draftus.
DeleteGlad you're digging Mr. Phillips, Mr. Dave!
The man-crush on Shawn continues. I’ve given Faces the requisite 25 listens, just to confirm it’s as good as I think it is. I’m also heading towards double digit listens on Furthermore. I have Rumplestiltskin’s Resolve and At the BBC on CD, and in my hands. But I don’t want to rush this.
DeleteI wonder what the thinking was behind a reworking of ‘L’ Ballade? It’s smoother, and slightly sanitised with its friction free orchestrations. Was this an advert for Art Garfunkel? The string arrangement put me in mind of Robert Kirby and Nick Drake. Was he an influence? I doubt it. Phillips predates Drake, and he seems so much in his own world as to be immune to outside influence. But he did spend a lot of time in the UK, and I wonder if his dual US/UK sensibilities contributes something to his appeal. This version of the song would have slotted in nicely to the recent Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs English Weather compilation.
‘Chorale’ is one of those incredible vocalisation songs - see also ‘Remedial Interruption’ from Second Contribution, or ‘Cape Barres’ from Furthermore - where Phillips just lets his voice take flight, against minimal backing. It’s spiritual and uplifting, and put me in mind of Popol Vuh.
‘Parisien Plight II’ opens like The Beach Boys/Manson miracle of ‘Never Learn Not to Love’ before eventually settling into a Hammond/sax driven groove. Lyrically, I have no idea what this is all about. Phillips gets pretty excited in parts (when doesn’t he?), and that’s good enough for me. This one has a great swing and feel and could go on all night as far as I’m concerned.
There are moments during Faces where I have to acknowledge, reluctantly, that things aren’t all that ace. Singalonga Shawn numbers like ‘Anello (Where are You)’ and ‘A Christmas Song’ don’t work for me, if only because his outsider status doesn’t seem to sit too well with the idea that we can all join in. Phillips himself seems the living embodiment of the open, generous spirit. I guess he can do fireside cosy if he wants to, but that is not the character of most of his music.
‘We’ is a beautiful, soaring masterpiece of a song, full of sunshine and positive vibes. But it deserves a better place in the running order. It must have been the second song on Side 2 on the original LP, but seems diminished coming straight after the towering jam of ‘Parisien Plight II’.
‘I Took a Walk’ may be my favourite Shawn Phillips song so far. The singing here - even by his own incredible standards - is fantastic. It’s one of those America ‘aint all it’s cracked up to be type of songs that were very popular at the time, and works as an interesting counterpoint to Paul Simon’s ‘America’. Phillips sings like a wild preacher, railing against the injustices of everyday USA. I absolutely love the lyrical section that goes:
I saw a man called power
Who said you've got to fit my vision
I saw a man called law
Said if you don't I'm going to put you in the prison
I saw a man called peace
Who was shaking with the laughter of derision
He sings these lines with such honesty and conviction - the way he pronounces and extends the word ‘peace’ is so measured and precious, wow! - I find it impossible not be moved. But there’s lots of things going on in this song. In another section retelling the great woe he has seen on his travels, he casually throws in the line ‘I say people in the bands you really ought to learn this tune.’ What does he mean by this? The rational explanation is that he’s telling other bands to get out there and share the sentiment of the song. But he sings it in a way that suggests he needs more royalties. I was left wondering whether this was one of those rare instances of a Shawn Phillips joke.
You sure give great content, Hairnets! I've alerted the four or five guys via the sidebar. Thank you.
Delete"A Christmas Song" wasn't on the original album and has no place here. I like Anello, because it's a glimpse into Phillips' personal life, and maybe our own. We all have friends who disappeared, and want to know if they're okay. Pre-internet, that feeling counted for something.
"Faces" was an album issued by A&M without his input - "ironic" that it's one of his very best.
Cheers Farq! I'm fascinated by a lot of the music you post on this site, but I'm a bit too young and ignorant to be able to offer much original insight or detail. Happy to contribute where I can. Anello sounds like a Cat Stevens song. I take your point about the lyrical sentiment, but I don't think these type of songs play to his strengths. Phillips operates best in clear skies at high altitude.
ReplyDelete"Phillips operates best in clear skies at high altitude." Roger that. But that's why I like unusually plain-speaking Anello - it's such a change. It's intimate and direct, and I hope Anello got to hear it!
ReplyDelete"Do You Wonder" seems a natural next for you, but if you want a challenge, try "Bright White". As I was buying his albums on release, this seemed like a commercial cop-out at the time, and a disappointment, but it's become one of my favorites. I you want to try before you buy, let me know.