Review: A Stranger Came, Phil Hare
Mar 21, 2018 12:01:25 GMT
ocarolan, Phil Taylor, and 2 more like this
Post by andyhowell on Mar 21, 2018 12:01:25 GMT
I have to confess that I didn’t know much about Phil Hare until comparatively recently. I guess that the comparative lack of appropriate venues means that I’ve not had much chance to discover him live, locally. Of course, I knew he was a fine guitar player — a modern-day guitar hero — mainly because Leo keeps telling me! And — OK I’m shallow — when Phil followed me recently on Soundcloud I decided to follow back!
On Soundcloud Phil has posted a series of out-takes and cuts that didn’t quite make it onto albums. But the crafty old so and so had put up one track from the new album and it was a cracker. Before I knew it the PayPal button had been pushed and the new album ‘A Stranger Came’ was dropping through the doormat.
This is a lovely album which just grows and grows on me. In the main it is pretty stripped back, many vocal and guitars with some very subtle over dubbing of dobro and banjo. In case you are at all worried the banjo multi tracking is so subtle I haven’t noticed it!
The overall vibe of the album is slightly melancholic but there is a great variety here. The original songs here varied in musical style but they all deal with contemporary subjects in a very original way. “I’ve Got My Country Back” deals with that subject which none of us really want to talk about — begins with a B. “Water Wide” is a simply gorgeous tune in a traditional style but deals with aftermath of war and the desperate life of the returning solider (I think). “Broken Country” is reminiscent of Ian Drury — a rap-ish commentary on the life of benefit and DLA claimants (again including wounded soldiers). You Never Really went is a lovely reminiscence of poignant past friendships forged, again, against a backdrop of the flight from conflict. Wayward is a very original song of love and affection. And then there’s that track that was on Soundcloud, ‘Will You Marry Me’ a fabulous song that is a very human celebration of Ireland’s decision to embrace same sex marriage. Lyrically the songs are in the fascinating rather the ‘top clever by half’ category. I suspect Phil sees himself as a guitar player first and a singer second but hi voice is rich and expressive and he uses his voice extraordinarily well to illustrate those lyrics.
If the subject matter seems heavy the songs are anything from heavy — this is a very accessible. While the songs all fit the vibe of the album there is a lot of variety here and musical influences. The Country blues is here for sure but there’s also songs and picking which remind me of Ralph Mctell and Bert Jansch and maybe also Clive Gregson at the height of his powers. And there might be even a much of Nick Drake in there as well.
Scattered through this collection of songs are a series of fine instrumentals, both originals and traditional tunes. “The Blarney Pilgrim and Nigel Farage Swimming the Channel” set the feet tapping and bring a smile to the face. “Rosie Anderson and Paul Campbell’s Reel” are as good as any celtic picking you will find anywhere. Phil’s guitar rings out clear and true with the most clean and expressive of techniques. That guitar of Gary Nava sounds absolutely superb in the hands of such a master.
I guess you can tell by now that I really enjoy this album, indeed, it is one of those that continues to grow on you. For me the ultimate tribute is that I’ve had to stop working on some new songs and tunes myself for fear that they are all beginning to sound like rip-off’s of Phil. The last person who did that to me was Steve Tilston.
A fine, fine, album from a player at the top of his form. Don’t hesitate to go buy a copy.
On Soundcloud Phil has posted a series of out-takes and cuts that didn’t quite make it onto albums. But the crafty old so and so had put up one track from the new album and it was a cracker. Before I knew it the PayPal button had been pushed and the new album ‘A Stranger Came’ was dropping through the doormat.
This is a lovely album which just grows and grows on me. In the main it is pretty stripped back, many vocal and guitars with some very subtle over dubbing of dobro and banjo. In case you are at all worried the banjo multi tracking is so subtle I haven’t noticed it!
The overall vibe of the album is slightly melancholic but there is a great variety here. The original songs here varied in musical style but they all deal with contemporary subjects in a very original way. “I’ve Got My Country Back” deals with that subject which none of us really want to talk about — begins with a B. “Water Wide” is a simply gorgeous tune in a traditional style but deals with aftermath of war and the desperate life of the returning solider (I think). “Broken Country” is reminiscent of Ian Drury — a rap-ish commentary on the life of benefit and DLA claimants (again including wounded soldiers). You Never Really went is a lovely reminiscence of poignant past friendships forged, again, against a backdrop of the flight from conflict. Wayward is a very original song of love and affection. And then there’s that track that was on Soundcloud, ‘Will You Marry Me’ a fabulous song that is a very human celebration of Ireland’s decision to embrace same sex marriage. Lyrically the songs are in the fascinating rather the ‘top clever by half’ category. I suspect Phil sees himself as a guitar player first and a singer second but hi voice is rich and expressive and he uses his voice extraordinarily well to illustrate those lyrics.
If the subject matter seems heavy the songs are anything from heavy — this is a very accessible. While the songs all fit the vibe of the album there is a lot of variety here and musical influences. The Country blues is here for sure but there’s also songs and picking which remind me of Ralph Mctell and Bert Jansch and maybe also Clive Gregson at the height of his powers. And there might be even a much of Nick Drake in there as well.
Scattered through this collection of songs are a series of fine instrumentals, both originals and traditional tunes. “The Blarney Pilgrim and Nigel Farage Swimming the Channel” set the feet tapping and bring a smile to the face. “Rosie Anderson and Paul Campbell’s Reel” are as good as any celtic picking you will find anywhere. Phil’s guitar rings out clear and true with the most clean and expressive of techniques. That guitar of Gary Nava sounds absolutely superb in the hands of such a master.
I guess you can tell by now that I really enjoy this album, indeed, it is one of those that continues to grow on you. For me the ultimate tribute is that I’ve had to stop working on some new songs and tunes myself for fear that they are all beginning to sound like rip-off’s of Phil. The last person who did that to me was Steve Tilston.
A fine, fine, album from a player at the top of his form. Don’t hesitate to go buy a copy.
Jo whoever he is.
