SHAWN PHILLIPS fan concert reviews

Villa d'Oveste, Berlin, Germany 5. + 6.11.04

"I was worried to come here", gesteht der Mann, der seit 40 Jahren im Geschäft ist und in Deutschland trotzdem über den Geheimtipp-Status immer noch nicht hinausgekommen ist. Dass die Sorge unbegründet ist, belegt die Zuhörerschaft dieser ausschließlich aufgrund privater Initiative von Fans möglich gewordenen Konzerte des Texaners: aus Südamerika, den USA, Frankreich, Spanien, England und sonstwoher stammt die Handvoll Phillips-Aficionados, sogar Fans aus Köln und St. Pauli werden gesichtet.
Wegen Ihnen ist der Singer/Songwriter extra aus seiner neuen Wahlheimat  Südafrika angereist, um eine kleine Tournee u.a. mit den Stationen Berlin, Kiel, Gronau, Filderstadt und wieder Berlin anzutreten; im Anschluß geht es in  die Schweiz und den Libanon.
 
Mittlerweile ist auch ein Major gefunden, der das neueste, ursprünglich nur in Südafrika erschienene Album 'No Category' von 2002 sowie den Backkatalog des Künstlers hierzulande veröffentlichen wird. Späte Genugtuung für den Musiker, der einst in Kanada einer unbekannten blonden Bedienung namens Joni Mitchell die ersten Griffe auf der Gitarre beigebracht hat, bei 'Lovela Rita' vom Beatles-Album 'Sgt. Pepper' im Background mitsang und u.a. Alanis Morissette zu seinen Verehrerinnen zählen kann.

Die überschaubare Location -eine private Villa unweit des Kudamms- ermöglicht das Ambiente aus Wärme und Intimität, welches den akustischen Kleinodien Shawns den notwendigen Rahmen gibt. So hängen die etwa 60 Auserwählten vom ersten Ton von 'Coming Down Soft & Easy' vom ´72er Meisterwerk 'Collaboration' bis zur letzten Note der Zugabe 'I Will Never
Leave' (2002) an den Lippen des Meisters wie die Süchtigen an der Nadel. Dazwischen liegt ein musikalischer Streifzug durch die Jahrzehnte vom 'Little Tin Soldier' (1965) bis zu so brandneuen Stücken, daß Phillips den quasi druckfeuchten Text vom Blatt ablesen muß.
 

Melbourne and Tampa, FL   June 20-21,  2003
Last weekend the heavens were crying in Florida, but these Irish eyes were definitely smiling! What Shawn Phillips fan wouldn't be smiling; an opportunity to see Shawn perform two nights in a row. Friday's and Saturday's shows were both simply excellent. Shawn's voice was strong and his guitar playing was perfect. The only glitch was that Shawn broke a string on two songs at the Melbourne show. I can't remember which songs, but it was near the end of both songs and didn't seem to make a difference. He does strum his guitars pretty enthusiastically sometimes!
The "warm-up" band at Tampa was called "Mod" and they consist of a vocalist/percussionist, a horn player (alto sax, soprano sax, and flute) and a guy I will call a "programmer" who played a laptop computer with a bunch of knobs and buttons attached and a turntable. They played some pretty Funky/Jazzy stuff that was mostly improvisational. Towards the end of their set, Shawn came up from backstage and joined in on guitar. It was pretty cool, and both Shawn and Mod seemed to be having a good time. After both shows there was a long line of fans buying CD's and getting autographs. I got to both shows pretty early and got to talk to Shawn about the current events in his life and mine, just like seeing an old friend, what a guy. I also got a chance to meet and talk to quite a few of the fans at both shows. I did get to meet of few of the people on this list which was really exciting and cool to put a face with a name. The unusual thing about both of these concerts for me was the number of people that told me that they had not seen Shawn perform in 30 years. I met 6 or 8 couples at both shows who told me that. When I talked to these people I made sure that I told them about the website and EMH. It really was pretty cool to be able to talk to total strangers and be able to instantly relate and rap about Shawn's music and what it has meant to us over the years. Really great music has to pass the test of time and obviously Shawn Phillips' music has made the trip!    Peace, Love, and Harmony,  Tom Koby  Click here for the Koby Gallery

'A Turntable Is No Instrument', heißt es in einem dieser ganz neuen Lieder. Wie wahr: kaum jemand in der Geschichte der Rockmusik vermag es wie Shawn Phillips, nur mit einer Gitarre und einer immer noch verschwenderisch modulierenden Stimme zu demonstrieren, was Songwriting mit Einflüssen aus Folk, Rock, Jazz und Klassik vermag: niemand außer ihm spielt so Gitarre,
niemand außer ihm kann so singen. Der Mann ist dabei glänzend aufgelegt und sprüht nur so vor Energie. Mit der ''L' Ballade' holt er seinen Zuhörern schließlich die Sterne vom Himmel, in der Villa ist es dabei so still, als sei kein Publikum anwesend.
Bei unverzichtbaren Keyboardpassagen in Phillips-Klassikern -wenn man es denn so benennen möchte- wie 'Moonshine', 'Early Morning Hours' und 'She Was Waiting ...' wird er von der jungen Berlinerin Juliane Sailer werkgetreu begleitet. Die Pianistin hat die Noten für Ihren Part nach Gehör selbst zu Papier bringen müssen - offiziell veröffentlichtes Notenmaterial existiert nicht.

Nach knapp 2 Stunden ist die Deutschland-Premiere vorbei, es folgt ein quasi-familiäres Beisammensein, sehr freundschaftlich, fast andächtig. "Eigentlich bin ich hauptsächlich Feuerwehrmann, Musik mache ich nur noch für die Fans - sie sind einfach fantastisch", lobt die 'lebende Legende' nach den Konzerten seine Zuhörer. Thanks, Shawn.       Concert Review, by Stefan Adomat , aus Hamburg

Louisville, KY    June 7,  2003 (Yellow Flowers II)
The venue was a small theater in downtown. It had a tiny stage with a very large Shawn on it. I saw several groups of EMHers. Three of us had yellow flowers to add to the Cobalt blue vase on the stage . The place was at about half, I would say around 60 people. The show began late due to the MC being stuck in traffic. But this gave me time to talk to those around me. I talked to three couples who had just found out about it that day or the day prior. All three couples have been fans for at least 30 yrs. ! None of them have explored the website enough to know about EMH or even the tour. I found this so interesting that in this small city,in a small theater,these folks reconnected to Shawn.

But I should get back to the show. The beginning was just spellbinding. Just Shawn ,5 guitars and his electronic system. But it sounded like a band. Her told his jokes, gave the news and then we connected. He was making adjustments to his equipment and said,"ahh,there's a lot to think about up here." And I said "and there is a lot to think about out here, too!" With that he looked up at me and we had a good little laugh. It made my day! Though out the concert there wasn't a sound to be heard. A two hour show and no one even coughed. We were frozen in this mans spirit, unable to even breathe, but between songs. His guitar work was brilliant and for the first half of the show his voice was beautiful. But the second half he really struggled to bring his voice in line. It would do him some good to take a 15 min break between sets. His songs are difficult to sing and then you add age to that and multiple concerts,and you can hear the strain . I think he was tired, but really wanted to be there for us. It was a magical evening for me, one I will always cherish......He is such an artist in his craft. Each tiny detail of all he plays and sings is so finely wrought. He fills a room with soaring ambient bliss,then brings it to a whisper,in perfect time and harmony. A four hour drive or more would not be a hardship to hear this incredible human being.   Kathy

St. Louis , MO   June 5,  2003 (Yellow Flowers I)
The show in St. Louis was wonderful. Shawn was in good voice and in good humor. We arrived early to meet with Suz and to help unload Shawn's van. When Suz and her husband Bob and my buddy, Rich, walked into the Generations club attached to the hotel; Margaret from Minneapolis and her daughter were there. Andy from Tulsa showed up a few minutes later. Gerry from St. Louis showed up early too. Gerry's wife showed up later. Carolyn from Indianapolis with her son and some of her son's friends showed as well. There was a bearded young man who was quiet. I spoke to him. His name is Marty McCarthy from Wautoma, Wisconsin. He does not have a computer capable of e-mail so no EMH but he was able to get the website to learn of the show. He drove 600 miles with an overheating truck - solid fan and very nice guy.   Doug Warren  click here for the Warren Gallery       Click here for the YellowFlowers Gallery

Driving into St. Louis on Thursday afternoon for the show we saw a burning van on the side of the road. I was only about half joking when I told my husband to check and make sure that Shawn and Jules had not stopped to fight the fire! Soon after we got to the hotel, Shawn and Jules rolled in and by the time Shawn was ready to set up Doug, Rich, Margaret, Marie, and Andrew all were there, too. For a change, Shawn has his own roadies to haul for him.

By concert time, it was clear that we were going to have a small but mighty crowd. Margaret and Marie didn't have the right tripod for their camera, so they improvised with duct tape (what else) and got the job done. Other EMHers gradually rolled in, with yellow flowers for Shawn.  I couldn't find a "man-in-the-moon" vase, but I found a nice cobalt blue one that looked nice on the dark stage. Carolyn's yellow flowers were "bought from the man down the other way" of course. We ended up with so many flowers that I had to get a second vase from the hotel to hold them all.  Gerry, though, showed the true Shawn Phillips spirit of resisting categorization - he brought beautiful red roses from his own garden!

Louisville was very enjoyable in the Theater Square area of downtown Louisville just a few blocks from the might Ohio River. My friend Patti counted about 97 or so trying to mill around and find their seats just before Shawn came onto stage. The yellow flowers were a nice touch, just down from center stage in front of Shawn. So many of us were calming ourselves from the excitement of just being there, let alone the musical treat in store. Some other great reviews already have captured a cache of mood and feelings for and about the evening and I am grateful for each and everyone's account. We each experienced some memorable moments dear to us individually and the music was suitably intoxicating.. As Shawn talked at times nervously laughing and keeping us appraised of what would happen with the flow of tunes and music, I especially enjoyed one interlude. Shawn was tweaking toggles and slide bar controls and getting it all seamlessly right for us all, he chuckled and said, hey.. there is a LOT to think about UP here...laughing a bit to relieve the tension from successfully punching all the right buttons for us all to enjoy the maximum sound quality... but immediately from the midst of the audience a woman's voice humorously reminded Shawn that "there was a LOT to think about ....OUT here...." And I felt that for the briefest of moments Shawn was unprepared for the quick witty truth replied to him,.. that depicted our anxious anticipation being nicely assuaged by all he was doing for us,.. quickly he laughed, and I think cackled and chuckled a bit, then acknowledged the discourse laughingly...and reset his thinking with a wonderfully, wickedly funny perception of the group there to enjoy him.    John Murphy  Click here for the Murphy Gallery

Handlebar, Greenville, SC, May 31, 2003
Shawn's show at the Handlebar in Greenville, SC was another dream come true, not only for me, but for many others that were there....I'm just going to tell you about the big surprise that Shawn pulled out of his bag of tricks........After Shawn got set up and was through his sound check, the following act (Honey Child) set up their equipment behind Shawn. These young guys were digging on Shawn even though they didn't know anything about him or his music other than what  they read on Shawn's web site. Shawn hit it off with them and says [read with a thick Texas accent],  "Hey y'all, would ya' like to learn a new song?"  He told them that he usually performed the song solo and that he doesn't usually get to play with a band. He may have told them what key the song was in, but otherwise he simply played Woman from the > beginning and let them gradually join in as the music built. Towards the end of the song, the band had kicked in with drums, bass, rhythm guitar, and lead guitar. I was literally in shock. I ran out into the bar and grabbed the first fan I saw and pulled him into the listening room saying,  "You've got to see this!"

Having never had the privilege to hear Shawn perform  in concert with a band, I couldn't believe how  fortunate we were to witness this. And then as quick  as it happened, Shawn stops and says [don't forget  the thick Texas accent], "That's it. You've got it.  And when we get to that point in the song, you  can do a solo [as he points to one guitarist] and  you then can do a solo [as he points to second  guitarist]. I'll signal you when I'm ready for you  to come out." That was all the rehearsal they did. The band had nailed it on a single take and they  had never even heard the song before. They were  just following Shawn.

I could hardly contain my excitement. That's why  towards the end of the concert, I had to whisper to  Scott that Shawn was about to drop a big surprise on everybody. I could hardly sit still, so between songs I quickly went out to the bar to get a beer  and when I saw this one couple sitting at the bar,  I said, "You need to be in there [point to the  non-smoking listening room]." The woman said  that her husband wasn't a folk music fan. I looked  at him and said very nicely that this wasn't folk  music and that Shawn was about to kick some serious butt with a full band. They said they didn't  want to pay to go in for the end of a show and I  told them that if they followed me right then,  they wouldn't have to pay. Well, they followed  me in and let me know after the show how much they enjoyed it.

'll describe the setting a little to help with the  visualization...The stage is large with a wonderful sound and lighting system. The evening's light  show was beautiful and as Shawn approached that  point where he would signal the band to come out,  the stage was mostly dark except for a faint light on  Shawn. Then Shawn turns his head and with a  simple nod, the band comes on stage and Shawn  starts the ever-so-delicate first notes of Woman.  Then as the song begins to build, the bass player  adds a few notes to accent Shawn's performance.  Then one-by-one, the rhythm guitarist, drummer,  and lead guitarist join in like they've been playing  this song together for years. I was totally blown  away. And Shawn was having the time of his life.  I've seen him numerous times and this time he was  more animated than I've ever seen him. He was  smiling ear-to-ear and his usually-tapping foot
was now stomping the floor. I had chill bumps  so big, they almost hurt. It really was totally  amazing. Shawn was in his element and was  loving it. Now granted, Woman is a kick butt
song when Shawn performs it solo, but this night, Shawn jamming with a band took it to  another level. After the show, a friend of mine  said that the one song he played with the band was so grand that it reminded him of Pink Floyd.  Steve Wixon, www.LuWixon.com     see photos of the jam with Honey Child

Atlanta, GA  - Greenville, SC   May, 2003
Scott and Barb: Atlanta to Greenville (part 1 of 3)
We arrived at the Atlanta concert promptly at 8:30 tonight only to find Shawn taking the stage right on time and EVERY SEAT IN THE HOUSE FILLED. How about that turnout!!!  As I listened to songs that are so heartfelt that by may have their own strains in my DNA, I marveled at the different parts of my life that Shawn has been a "musical companion". I have spoken to him directly on only a few occasions, still I have carried his music as a young college student through my young adulthood and now into my middle-age. I believe the journey would have been much harder without this music.

Atlanta to Greenville (part 2 of 3) Shawn's performance was top notch....I found myself losing the battle to keep my feet still, my head from bobbing and my voice from singing. This is why I am careful when I listen to Shawn's CD's while at work. Tonight we were treated to a repeat of the first verse of L Ballad due to a lapse of Shawn's memory. He never lost a beat and I raced in my thoughts to reach the lyrics he would shortly also find. Was that thrown in as a test for us groupies? I spent much of the evening taking pictures with my 35mm SLR (remember those?) Olympus OM2n with a 2.8 zoom lens and no flash................

Atlanta to Greenville (Part 3 of 3) The highlight of the evening was the smile on Shawn's face. I have seen him in concert many times and have never observed this amount of joy coming from his being. His soon to be status as a new father may explain this. I suspect that the root of the matter is more in the form of his wife, Juliette, who is so youthful and personable that one would think it impossible any man hiding a smile in her company. Juliette helps after concerts with the sales of the new CD. The price of the CD includes an autograph from Shawn and a smile from Juliette. What a bargain. After the concert Shawn talked with every fan who waited for an autograph or a chat. A few people carried LP's (round grooved black objects that are larger than today's CD's and enclosed in a cardboard jacket printed with words one can read unaided by visual amplification devices). Some carried a memory of an event long in the past which they shared as their recordings were signed. One fellow wearing a T-Shirt with Shawn's picture (maybe an EMH creation???) had Shawn sign the back of the shirt........I spent most of my time in line thinking up one question that I could ask Shawn. I wanted to find out something that might have been mentioned on EMH many years ago that I had forgotten. I pulled Steve aside and asked did he know how Shawn had first met J. Peter Robinson and Paul Buckmaster? When I stumped him with this query, I felt it was probably worth using my sixty seconds of time with Shawn. As I approached Shawn, I wondered if the butterflies which had made me too nervous to type at my PC during a EMH chat years ago ("Come on Martlet (my internet id) you're taking too long" he would say, followed by a light hearted, "martlet - I wonder where he came up with that!") would allow me to ask the question. I had six CD booklets for him to sign (including an original Beyond Here Be Dragons!) before that move to another continent. Six turned out to be the right number to allow me to gather my courage and ask the question. Despite having to rush to pack up his equipment so that the late night show could take the stage, Shawn took all the time necessary to explain that this meeting took place in London music store where Paul was purchasing strings for a cello. Paul looked at Shawn and ask if he was the guy who did the music for Futurekick (which Shawn also appeared in) and the friendship was started. At this time Paul was attending the London Acad. Of Music as was Peter Robinson. Sometime thereafter Paul introduced Shawn to Peter. If anyone knows more about this initial meeting I'd love to know! As Shawn moved toward the door to reenter the stage to gather up his equipment, I mentioned that I had also been at the Atlanta concert. Shawn mentioned that thought he sang better tonight... "and that band was that great?" he said. With my nerves finally normal I was quick to say, "No, it was so much better than that". Being a groupie has its rewards as I learned so well tonight. On my drive back to Atlanta my radio remained off as a listened and re-listened to the sounds of the concerts in my head. Paying attention to this internal soundtrack and high speed driving proved to be a mismatch so I found the slowest truck to follow and passed ever so quietly numerous patrol cars parked in the darkness waiting to catch fast drivers. I had no trouble tonight extending the concert for the entire three hours it took  return home.  

But Shawn was playing solo acoustically and there were many soft ballads in his  songlist. Knowing what the audiences are like at the Circus, I was scared that Shawn would get pissed off and refuse to perform. Instead, he handled the assholes perfectly.  He said something like: "There is something I need to explain to you. I am not a fucking punk band. Many of my songs are quite soft and I am trying to create here more like a concert setting.  There are a lot of people here who have paid a lot of money to listen to my songs so you have to respect that. If you need to eat, please eat softly." And believe it or not, most of the assholes shut up!  In the history of the Circus, never has there been a single performer who has managed to shut  their noisy clientele up the way Shawn did!    Click here to Walid's Circus gallery

Shawn entertained us with old and new songs, quips, anecdotes, and has us hanging on his lips all the time. He didn't even take a break after the first hour, but merely said "This is normally where I would take a break so the folks can take a whizz, but I'm gonna keep on playing". It was the perfect way to experience Shawn. Drink in hand, relaxed atmosphere, you could feel the peace in the room. His computer froze when he wanted to start the Peace song, so he rebooted, and did the song. I still get goosebumps thinking about it!

After the show, I bought No Category, and had him autograph it. To get his autograph, I had to stop him packing up his equipment (yes, he packed up his own equipment!) and again had a quick chat with him. The No Category CD is more than beautiful, it is simply great! All I can say, get the CD, it's worth it  My fiance also got his autograph, on our table reservation card, and it's in our "keepsake" album.  The man and his music lives on.  Peace Johan