Amsterhammer wrote: I guess the bottom line for me is simply that Philip Sayce deliberately plays much louder than necessary.
and too loud for me.
I sympathise George and agree entirely with your comments as my ears haven't been the same since seeing Philip at the Borderline last year when he threw done the baffle in front of his speakers and made unbearable what was already very loud. I always take earplugs with me to gigs but don't always wear them as I find they cut out too much of the top end. They are a must for Philip's gigs, however.
Following my comment about the delay in the release of Ruby Electric one of my Bonabuddies lent me an advance copy - thanks *****.
Having 14 tracks and being referred to as volumes 1 and 2 I was expecting a double CD but at only 56 mins it fits onto one CD easily.
On a first listen my reaction was "Wow" and it hasn't changed on several subsequent listens. The studio recorded tracks have a definite "live" feel about them and the tracks recorded live at a show in France run into each other making the whole experience just like being there. The 8 minutes of Slipaway live is incredible. Philip really is fantastic live and shouldn't be missed if you have the chance - just don't forget the earplugs.
Yes, there are songs that have appeared on previous Sayce albums, but they are sufficiently different to make it worthwhile buying this CD. The addition of a piano has added another dimension to some of the tracks and there are other more subtle differences. I should perhaps point out that I'm biased on this score as I think everything Philip does is amazing.
There is a fantastic new song on this CD called 'King of New Mexico' which will absolutely knock your socks off and I would love to see this performed live. It's a real tour de force of drumming and immediately catches your attention. The track with Melissa Etheridge works well but I think Philip's voice is far superior.
Don't be put off by the fact that there appear to be duplicate tracks on this CD. I have several of Philip's CDs with tracks of the same title but that is (almost) where the similarity ends. In my opinion they are all worth having and listening to as the mood takes you.
Phil
Ars Longa, Vita Brevis
“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56