What does it sound like?:

This is actually, despite the title, a 5 cd box set and is, unsurprisingly, the sequel to last year’s Private Parts and Pieces vols I –IV.

It is basically a round up of material produced outside the realm of his ‘conventional’ album work – compositional pieces for numerous projects now gathered together in one place.

The first disc is a collection of pieces for solo twelve string guitar, the second piano pieces, some going back as far as 1971, while the third features synth soundscapes and acoustic guitar. Disc four features two longer multi part tracks, New England and Pieces Of Eight among the shorter compositions. The fifth and final disc collects nineteen previously unheard performances.

This is a beautifully presented set, restoring the original artwork of each of the individual original albums, and has a very interesting essay in the booklet.

What does it all *mean*?

The music captures a wide variety of styles and moods, and is impeccably played, but is perhaps best dipped into as background music rather than being the centre of listening attention.

Goes well with…

This is one for the committed Phillips’ fan rather than the casual listener.

» Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

Shovels & Rope are a husband and wife team. They take turns with the instruments, both being equally adept on drums, guitars and whatever else is to hand. There isn’t such an orderly queue for the microphone. In the end, they both sing lead together. Cary Ann has the sweeter voice. Michael can match it in falsetto but he normally deploys a smooth tenor. They have attracted the label ‘Folk’.

They live in Charleston, South Carolina, America’s friendliest city, with a population size smaller than Warrington. Naturally, the songs outline their day-to-day family lives; dealing with a mentally ill child, coping with Alzheimer’s, the loneliness of widowhood, earthquakes, running off to form a band and hiding a dead body in a cupboard. That’s right. Appearances are deceptive. Little Seeds teems with life, bursting with energy, surprises, good humour and creativity, despite all the misery. It may be homemade but it’s delicious.

The opener, I Know, is dirty, filthy rock served with a side order of professional jealousy. Botched Execution is on the run at breakneck speed. You can hear the creak of the rocking chair out on the porch for St. Anne’s Parade as » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

A two cd collection, this set has not only been compiled and extensively annotated by Wobble, he has even contributed some of his paintings for the artwork.

It dips in and out of his very extensive back catalogue of solo work and collaborations, going back as far as the eighties and coming right up to date with a couple of tracks from his recently released Youth produced album Everything Is Nothing. It also features a couple of completely new tracks recorded with The Invaders Of the Heart.

There are a myriad of influences and styles – dub, oriental, latin, each using different collaborators to achieve the feel he is looking for in a specific composition. Many of the songs are accompanied by their dub doppelgangers, giving a new slant to the original pieces. Wobble’s trademark bass dominates throughout, a constant thread through the whole album – although the music is from many disparate albums it all seems to gel and work almost as one continuous piece.

There’s a super booklet too, with very extensive notes by Wobble himself.

What does it all *mean*?

This is music that is impossible to pigeonhole, such is the » Continue Reading.