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Shawn
Phillips Living Contributions: Both
Sides
By Claire Marie Blaustein
This double-disc set from
Shawn Phillips captures two very different live performances. The
duality works well for this versatile underground institution, an
artist who has been in the liner notes of some of the most important
music from the 60s to
today. The first face of
Phillips is that of a rock star, with a huge band and an excited
crowd. Phillips is jumpy and animated, twanging his way through
introductions before getting into the music, with particularly
animated renditions of "s not likeable enough to be on the airwaves anymore, and the solidly
rocking "American Child." The second Phillips is that of a reserved
folk artist, playing a solo performance with an almost classically
quiet crowd. There's a hushed,
reverent feel to the songs, even those that in another context would
be charged with revolutionary fever. The recording can be spotty at
times, which can make catching the subtleties of the songwriting
difficult, but it's easy
enough to come back for repeat listening to understand them, and
Phillips, a bit better. (2Feet)
exclaim.ca May, 2008 |
