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Shawn Phillips, Jimmy Page Join Donovan
For Special Sunshine Superman Performance
At London's Royal Albert Hall
JUNE 2011 – Shawn Phillips and Jimmy Page joined fellow rock pioneer Donovan for a special performance of Donovan's classic Sunshine Superman with the London Contemporary Orchestra on June 3rd at Royal Albert Hall. Both Page and Phillips contributed to the original recording of the groundbreaking album. Before an awestruck crowd of thousands, the three hour event also included bassist Danny Thompson and orchestral arrangements by John Cameron.
London's The Art Desk noted, "The second set was an almost flawless run-through of the American original Sunshine Superman album opening with the Jimmy Page-assisted "Sunshine Superman". "Season of the Witch" was as trippy as it could ever be and, with Cameron's sweeping filmic orchestration, probably better than it ever was live. Set with a tabla player and Shawn Phillips on sitar, Donovan delivered a sensitive "Three Kingfishers"."
Phillips and Donovan were roommates in the sixties in London, collaborating musically as well as developing each his own craft. It was during that time that Phillips, then 21, and Donovan, age 19, would introduce the sitar's first historic fusion with pop music through Sunshine Superman. Phillips influence went further when he tutored George Harrison as he took up the instrument and later gave it significance in the music of The Beatles. Phillips was a session player (guitar) on other Donovan LPs as well including Fairytale and Mellow Yellow. Donovan also recorded a successful a cover of Phillips' "The Little Tin Soldier".
During his career on A&M Records, Phillips' made some of his most well know albums, Contribution, Second Contribution, Collaboration and Faces. The singles, "Lost Horizon", "We" and "Woman" were Billboard charted hits and received worldwide radio play. Phillips has sold more than 9 million copies of his 20 albums, and in 2010, he took his successful "50th Anniversary Tour" to over 60 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. His previous tour included a first time reunion with Paul Buckmaster and J. Peter Robinson, key musicians in his early recordings and resulted in the DVD Living Collaboration: Reunion Concert. His most current releases include the brilliantly compiled CD, Shawn Phillips: At The BBC which wholly encompasses his keen level of musicianship and genius. Second Contribution and Faces have recently been made available digitally. When not touring, Phillips resides in Port Elizabeth, South Africa with his SA born wife and young son.
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Click here for the The Arts Desk full review
Phillips with Page
Video of Performances at Royal Albert Hall 2011:
Video: Shawn and Donovan "3 King Fischers" – 1966
Video: Shawn and Donovan Rainbow Quest - 1966
For more information on Shawn Phillips visit the Official Website
40th Anniversary, Second Contribution!
Over 3 million copies sold
Now available for digital download