@phillip-hartley
Category: Reviews
I just saw this review on the www.wordsandthins.co.uk webpage:<br /><br /><br />Special Guest Artist Review<br /><br /> Talented Sheffield local singer and musician Phillip Hartley (pictured below) performed songs featured on his superb new CD album “Words And Music” <br /><br />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.<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /> 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?!?!?!?<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br />Cheers Phil; you’re always welcome in our house! Leviathan Stormrider III
Hi Everyone.<br /> <br /> Here is the review I just received for my album:<br /> <br /> Tim Carroll<br /> FolkWords<br /> www.folkwords.com<br /> <br /> <br /> 'Words and Music' – musical observations from Phillip Hartley<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /><br />Album soon out on CD Baby.
