@Phillip Hartley - blog

Perfect Face For Radio? - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:57:54 -0400

Just a few lines to let you know that my new collection, "Perfect Face For Radio?" is now out on iTunes etc. 21 tracks including 12 previously commercially unreleased tracks. This album includes my favourite recordings from the last five years from out and out folk/rock to simpler guitar/vocal ballads which come far closer to representing my live sound.

It is available on CD from here: http://www.jmucreate.com/acousticrotherhamphilliphartleypage.html

and from my store on my ReverbNation page: http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/control_room/philliphartley#/philliphartley

Love to all, Phil

Perfect face For Radio - @phillip-hartley

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:21:21 -0500

Hi Peeps

I just uploaded a new song. Perfect fasce For radio. Yes, before anyone askes. It's autobiographical. lol

This represents quite a chinge in style for me. I hope you'll drop by and have a listen and let me know what you think? Should I do more songs in this style?

Just to add to the mood, I've used a pic of me from th '80s. :=)

Love to all, Phil

Live Vids and New Album - @phillip-hartley

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:30:46 -0400

Hi Peeps.

Just to let you know. I just uploaded two live videos for your perusal. Also, my second album, "The Game" will be available to download from iTunes, Napster, Amazon MP3 and from Amazon On Demand on CD from around 24th October.

I've been getting some quite healthy airplay recently too on various stations. My first album "Words And Music" has also been heard on Spotify, the music streaming site and I'm also on general rotation on Jango Airplay.

Back in July I had a great time playing at the Spratton Folk Festival and hope to be playing there again next year.

So. Now onto writing songs for the next album.

Love to all, Phil H

Jango Airplay - @phillip-hartley

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:50:33 -0400

Hi Peeps

I was recently selected by the internet streaming site Jango Airplay. How, i don't know, but they found me somehow. I currently need just 11 more ratings and I will then be played on general rotation along with all the BIG and I mean BIG artists I've always admired. It should give my music a far greater exposure than heretofore. If you get the chance, please follow the link and give me a "thumbs up" so to speak. It would mean so much to me.

http://www.jango.com/music/Phillip+Hartley?l=0

Cheers all, Phil

New Album: The Game Now Completed - @phillip-hartley

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:01:38 -0400

Hi Peeps

Just a few words to let you know that my new album "The Game" is now finished. 13 tracks in all:
Flying
Folk Club Prima Donna
Love Song
Mountain Spring
Vote For Me
The Circle
Rocking The Cradle
Spaces
Virginia
Lord Franklin
Summertime Thing
Spaces 2
The Game

I've included a couple of my favourite traditional songs on this one just for a change.

It can be downloaded direct for £4.99 by following this link:

http://www.jmucreate.com/acousticrotherhamphilliphartleypage.html

Love to all, Phil

Virginia - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:33:56 -0500

I just uploaded a brand new song; "Virginia" taken from the forthcoming new album "The Game" which should be ready later this year. Hope you all like it.

Cheers, Phill

Flying - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:11:04 -0500

Hi Peeps.

Just wanted to let you know that I have a brand new song on my page: "Flying". This is a track taken from what will be me next album; "The Game". I hope you'll drop by and take the time to listen and let me know what you think, as I always value you opinons.

Love to all, Phil

New Album Review - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:46:04 -0500

I just saw this review on the www.wordsandthins.co.uk webpage:

Special Guest Artist Review

Talented Sheffield local singer and musician Phillip Hartley (pictured below) performed songs featured on his superb new CD album “Words And Music”

The first time I met Phil was one drunken summer evening in the Fat Cat. Well, I say drunken - I was the drunkard, no one else! Anyway, we had ventured down for their regular folk night and, after harassing Phil for a go on his guitar, and him being gracious enough to allow me a strum or two, we sat back and enjoyed the event. Fast-forwarding on a few months, here we are with a new album.

Following two appearances at the Open Mic Roadshow where he performed numbers from this disc, I’ve managed to get my hands on a copy. I’ll start by saying that I know very little about folk music. Obviously I’ve heard the popular tunes, just as many others, but I’ve never actually sat down and listened to an entire album by an artist. So this was going to be an unknown path that I was about to trek along… The first thing that strikes me about “Words And Music” is it’s simplicity. Being a fan of most things “METAAAAAAL” (excuse me), I’m not really used to a minimalist sound. However, it is utterly refreshing to my ears.

The second thing I noticed were the song titles which, just at a glance, pointed towards melancholy, deep emotion and a longing for answers to some of life’s questions; subjects that I feel quite comfortable with. I knew I was going to like this. The likes of “A Long Way”, “Forever On My Mind” and “I Call Her Name” offer a glimpse in to the heart of a man who has suffered heartbreak and come through the other side. With “My Town” we have the thoughts of a proud Sheffielder who remembers when the city was the heart of the world’s steel industry. In contrast, with “I Want To Live By The Sea”, Phil paints a picture of how weary one can become when living in a metropolis and the lure of the beauty of the coast.

A sharp-eyed social and political commentary comes in the form of “Four Wise Monkeys” and “Just Another Song”. I found myself nodding in agreement with each line in these two and felt myself wishing I could capture the moment in such clarity. So many excellent songs, unfortunately not enough space to mention them all! And that’s without telling you that Phil plays all of the instruments on the album, as well as producing it himself. Where did he find the time?!?!?!?

All in all, whilst he hasn’t managed to completely sway me towards listening to nothing but folk music, he’s certainly gone a long way to making me delve a bit deeper in to the genre. I urge you to check out “Words And Music”, an album from an extremely talented local musician who deserves to go somewhere in music.

Cheers Phil; you’re always welcome in our house! Leviathan Stormrider III

Love Song - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:11:45 -0400

Hi

Here is my latest song. It's called simply "Love Song" for reasons which will be self-apparent.

I hope you like it.

Love, Phil

Downloads. - @phillip-hartley

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:54:35 -0400

Just a little note to let you know, that my album "Words And Music" is available as a download as well as on cd from cd baby. Just follow the lionk on my page or this blog.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/philliphartley

Cheers, Phil

CD Out Now - @phillip-hartley

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:15:26 -0400

Hi Folks.

My CD is now available from CD Baby. Download should be ready soon!

<a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/philliphartley"><img src="http://cdbaby.com/gif/cdbaby_stripetop_200_yellow.gif" width="200" height="22" alt="Buy the CD" style="border: 0" /><br /><img src="http://cdbaby.name/p/h/philliphartley.jpg" width="200" height="200" alt="PHILLIP HARTLEY: Words And Music" style="border: 0" /><br /><img src="http://cdbaby.com/gif/cdbaby_stripebottom_200_yellow.gif" width="200" height="22" alt="click to order" style="border: 0" /></a>

Love Phil

The Game - @phillip-hartley

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:50:17 -0400

Hi People.

I just uploaded my newest song for you to have a listen and give me your opinions on. Please do let me know what you think.

My album "Words And Music" will shortly be available from CD Baby. I will keep you posted as and when.

Love to you all, Phil

My Album - @phillip-hartley

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:07:22 -0400

Hi people.

I'm not the world's most prolific blogger, but here's just a word or two to let those of you who are interested know that my album "Words And Music" will shortly be available as a download from CD Baby. I sent them the hard copy a few days ago and am waiting to hear from them. I could take a few weeks to sort it all out and, I must admit, I'm a little excited about it.

In case you were wondering, the child in the picture is me, aged about three years. Someone said I should have my picture on the cover, so here it is.

Cheers, Phil

My Album - @phillip-hartley

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:59:17 -0400

Well, Folks.

My new album; "Words And Music" is now complete. I now have to find some ways of selling it to the public. As, with so much in this area, I am a complete novice. Any advice any of you can give me as to the various routes I might take to market my record would be very much welcome.

Should I go down the download route, and If so how can I do this?

Your confused friend, Phil

Album Review! - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:50:09 -0400

Hi Everyone.

Here is the review I just received for my album:

Tim Carroll
FolkWords
www.folkwords.com

'Words and Music' – musical observations from Phillip Hartley

Occasionally you hear an album that rivets you with its simplicity and purity. 'Words and Music' by Sheffield-based singer/songwriter, Phillip Hartley does just that. Apart from writing the songs playing acoustic 6 and 12 string guitars, mandola, mandolin, keyboards and percussion, Phillip also produced the album.

Sometime lead vocalist/guitarist with Hair of the Dog he's emerged as an accomplished solo performer with 'Words and Music'. And before anyone thinks a self-produced album might be of questionable quality, forget it - he's done a fine job. The recording is crisp, the instruments sound great and Phillip's voice - ranging from anxious and edgy to demanding and questioning - is as clear as can be.

There are so many fine songs on this album it's hard to select favourites. The opener, 'A Long Way' is a sad, rather introspective song, but a good introduction to Phillip's style. 'A Question of Time' is an outstanding song about changing years and growing older, the lyrics are great and Phillip's vocals are spot on. Personal songs about love can often sound trite and tedious – if that's your view listen to 'Forever on my Mind' it will change your mind. The mournful tones of 'My Town' lament the closure of British industry with perceptive lyrics it's worth taking time to absorb.

The title song 'Words and Music' talks about the doubts, trials and tribulations of the itinerant songwriter. 'Just Another Song' is meticulously constructed and the vocal delivery immediately conjures up memories of Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and there's no negative connotation attached to that view. On the contrary, it's a positive comparison, Ian Anderson writes insightful songs that reflect his personal analysis of the world - and so does Phillip Hartley. The album closes with a little touch of humour in the song 'Shy' – but I won't give away the joke, you'll have to listen.

If you enjoy unadorned albums with one man singing about his observations on life, delivering a range of mellow, sometimes slightly pensive, contemplative songs then this is an album for you.

Album soon out on CD Baby.

i-Tunes - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:13:18 -0400

Hi Everyone.

I am pleased to announce that my album "Words And Music is now available to download at CD Baby and I-tunes. Go on. Make my day, you know you want it really.

Cheers, Phil

Brand New Song: "Words And Music" - @phillip-hartley

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:05:00 -0400

Hi everyone.

I have a brand new song, "Words And Music". This song was a first for me, as it is TOTALLY improvised and is as such a first take recording. I was playing around with a different tuning to see what may come up and this is what happened.

Cheers, Phil

Two New Tracks (Sort of) - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:37:36 -0400

Hi Everyone.

I just uploaded two new tracks. Well one new track that I recorded a couple of weeks ago and an older track (that is new to this site) that I recorded a couple of years or so ago when I was brand new to digital recording.

They are both traditional song. Loch Lomond is an old Scottish song which I have coupled hear with an old Pipe-tune; The Banks Of Sicily. The Wild Geese is an Irish song that I learned (though not in this arrangement) when I first started playing at folk clubs and sessions. It was taught to me by my friend Mick Rafferty when I was a very shy and nervous novice. Sadly Mick died last year and it was also my late Mum's favourite. So I sing it now in memory of them both. It took me a long time to find an arrangement for this song that I was moderately happy with. I think it must be my 4th or 5th attempt to record it. Anyway, please have a listen and let me know what you think.

Cheers, Phil.

Spaces - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:48:39 -0500

Hi Folks.

I just uploaded a new track, "Spaces". This one's a bit different for me. For a start it's an instrumental. It also has no guitar on it! It's a bit of an experiment for me, as I've never done anything quite like this. Please let me know what you think.

Love to all, Phil H

Here's A Toast - @phillip-hartley

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:19:03 -0400

Hi Everyone.

I just uploaded a new track; "Here's A Toast". I was playing around recently withsome of my recordings and I updated this one by adding the orchestrations, as a sort of experiment really, just to see how it would sound. Let me know what you think please.

Cheers, Phil.

Four Wise Monkies - @phillip-hartley

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:26:27 -0400

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd let you know, I have a brand new song uploaded. Four Wise Monkies is a bit of a departure for me as it's a blues number of which I don't do many. I hope you like it.

Cheers, Phil

Wild Honeypie - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:36:11 -0400

Gina, I tried to send you a message of thanks for your kind words but I can't reach your page. I thiunk you nees to "befriend" me again in order for me to do that.

Cheers, Phil

New Track - @phillip-hartley

Fri, 30 May 2008 17:51:34 -0400

Hi.

I just uploaded a new track, "Mountain Spring". It's an instrumental, I thought I'd have a blast on my Mandola and this is what came out. PLease let me know what you think.

Cheers, Phil

Hello - @phillip-hartley

Mon, 19 May 2008 16:18:05 -0400

Hi.

I'm new on here, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to say hello to everybody.

I'm a singer/songwriter from Sheffield, England and I look forward to checking as many of you out as I can. It's great to hear so much good music, that's so much better than the run-of-the-mill stuff you hear every day on British radio.

All the best, Phil

Two New Songs - @phillip-hartley

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:42:43 -0400

Hi Folks.

Just to let you know, I just uploaded two brand new songs for your delectation; "Folk Club Prima Donna" ('cos we all know one) and "Summertime Thing", I know it's a bit late, it being October and all, but as we haven't had a summer in the UK this year, what the hell?

Can't resist another chance to polug my album "Words And Music." Out now on CD Baby and iTunes.

Love to All, Phil