Search - Glenn Phillips :: Echoes 1975-1985

One of a kind guitarist

randy "rpm" miller | deland, florida United States | 05/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"glenn phillips claim to fame is with the Hampton grease band in the late 60's. this anthology is of his solo material between 75-85. mainly instrumental projects, they feature his distinct guitar style and sound ranging from raucous rock(she don't know) to new age like pieces. usually 3 piece compositions of guitar bass & drum glenn phillips did not follow anybody. melodic enegetic insightful & fun these instrumentals are worth their weight in gold.

phillips had a distinct guitar signature of distortion and effects. the variety is refreshing and never disappoints."

Brilliant but Under-appreciated Guitarist

David Ashcraft | Chicago | 05/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Glenn Phillips was called "the most amazing guitarist I've ever seen" by none other than Lowell George of Little Feat, and he consistently received rave reviews from Rolling Stone, Guitar Player, and others. This double CD box set contains most of his first four albums plus tracks from three others. It is an essential disc and a great starting point for this remarkable guitarist and composer. Stereo Review said this: "To say that Glenn Phillips plays guitar is like saying that Michael Jordan takes shots at the basket".

"Lost at Sea" was Glenn's first album and was recorded in his home so the recording quality is not sterling. The music however is brilliant and the emotional content of the instrumental music brought Phillips a contract with Virgin Records, and national tours in England with the likes of Steve Hillage. The best song is the ballad "Dogs" that builds up to a blistering climax before stating the lovely melody again. Glenn's second album, "Swim in the Wind" is an eclectic but spotty affair that doesn't really capture the live sound of the band. The instrumental rockers "Lies" and "Creeper" are the choice tracks here.

The Glenn Phillips Band hit their stride with the powerful "Dark Lights" album that captured the blazing intensity of the band's live sound perfectly. All seven tracks from this album ("29 through "Gravity Street") are must-haves. The next album, "Razor Pocket", is represented by the following eight tracks, and they rank along with "Dark Lights" as some of the best music that Phillips ever produced (which is saying a lot!). The band was touring non-stop at this point, and the tightness is clearly audible despite the fact that the keyboards were played by four different people on the album until Paul Provost joined for good.

The other musicians include Bill Rea on fretless bass (who can be heard to great effect on his own compositions "Little Red Soldiers..." and "Inca Silver Metallic"), and powerful drummer Doug Landsberg whose primal beat powered the band for most of their career. While all of Glenn's music (which is virtually all instrumental in nature) is extremely worthwhile, "Echoes" contains much of his best work, and it tracks his early years from 1975 to 1985. Discover this fantastically talented and original guitarist who has been compared to the likes of Hendrix and "Wired" -era Jeff Beck. The music has a positive energy but also a unique melodic sensitivity that is rare to find. As Guitar Player said about Glenn: "A supremely musical player, Phillips has something few musicians attain: a voice of his own"."