Chris Phillips: Build Me An Empire - Review

CHRIS PHILLIPS

BUILD ME AN EMPIRE

SHINE ON RECORDS

OUT NOW

When the one and only Alan McGee (Kingpin of Creation) labels you “one of Wales’ finest songwriters’ you have a lot to live up to and boy (or in valleys vernacular mush) does Chris deliver on this his 4th album. 

The South Wales music scene had two Chris Phillips’ for a while, first the multi talented one from Aberdare who recorded some fine albums and played blinding live shows and then there was the talentless hack from Brynmawr who introduced live sessions on radio and wrote reviews for radio station BRfm. Whilst Chris the former went from strength to strength the other (my good self ) went into retirement. Recently thou Keep Cardiff Live contacted me to coax me out of self imposed musical ennui, after hearing Build Me An Empire i soon picked up my pen (well laptop) and decided to get back ‘On The Road’

First thing that comes to mind is how the production values have shot up, with lush arrangements to add to the perfect tracks with horns and strings coming at you to embolden the songs. Chris has always worn his influences proudly on his sleeve and there are touches of the less simian Gallagher sprinkled throughout but with his own original stamp. The album balances flat out rockers (On The Road) and more sensitive ballads (Loving You Is Easy) with ease  and even has room for a little instrumental interlude in Dreams.

Long Is The Night is a singalong with shades on Don't Look Back In Anger, which builds steadily and features the great and the good of South Walian Music lending their talents to produce an epic standout. In an album packed with highlights it was hard to single out any track but this one just edged over the Lennonesque Until We Meet Again.

My advice to you all is get on this Like A Train and let Chris Build An Empire of light and shade for you, it is good enough to get this tired old man back writing (now where is my microphone) to think that after all Life’s A Dance and Chris provides the Soundtrack.

Chris Phillips

(The Other One)

(I Love Brackets me)  

Alan Jones presents THE DEBUTANTES and their “Symphonic Pop” (Exclusive Podcast)

The debut album by sensational new female pop duo “The Debutantes” is the creation of Alan Jones, a man with his finger firmly on the pulse of today’s music trends and an extensive knowledge of pop history- because he was part of it.

So it’s not surprising that the 14 songs on The Debutantes’s new recording have a definite 60’s ‘vibe’ mixed with a strong 2Ist Century appeal.

Alan Jones has enjoyed a long, colourful career in both music and fashion, having enjoyed success as an original member / sax player with 1960’s chart toppers Amen Corner, famed for classic pop hits “Bend Me, Shape Me”, “High In The Sky”, “(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice” and more, and touring with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.

Following the band’s break-up, Alan formed the ‘supergroup’ Judas Jump who were managed by the infamous Don Arden and after that band broke-up, became involved in the world of high-end rock n’ roll fashion, opening a chain of clothing shops in the UK and pioneering the fashion explosion on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles during the ‘eighties with his shop Let it Rock which catered for a clientele including Michael Jackson, Prince and Bruce Springsteen.

He was also responsible for the career of The LA Guns managing them for five years and orchestrating a deal with Polygram Records with whom they sold one million records of their debut album.

All these experiences have led to Alan creating, writing and recording an album of songs which he describes as ‘Symphonic Pop”, performed by two very talented, beautiful sisters from Cardiff – Victoria & Lavinia George-Veale – collectively known as ‘The Debutantes”.

The album was engineered by Richard Jackson (who co-produced with Alan) and features Victora and Lavinia’s stunning blend of voices combined with John Rea’s lush orchestration. Featuring strong melodies and catchy sixties style ‘hooks’,the album has the feel of Phil Spector’ s “Wall of Sound “mixed with Abba - like vocals. Many of the 14 tracks are potential singles , including a version of the Amen Corner no 1 hit “(If Paradise is ) Half as Nice “ with a cameo vocal from the bands lead singer Andy Fairweather Low.

There’s no doubt that with their debut recording, ‘The Debutantes’ have put the ‘class’ into classic pop!

Keep Cardiff Live was lucky enough to sit down with Alan to talk about his fascinating career in music and his latest project, The Debutantes.

Listen to the podcast

Feature: Phil Campbell - Old Lions Still Roar | Album feature & Podcast

Taken from Nuclear Blast:

»Old Lions Still Roar« will be released in various formats (Slipcase CD, Vinyl, digital). The album will feature 2 different covers - a black and white one (CD Slipcase + digital) and a colored one (vinyl): http://nblast.de/PhilCampbellOLSR

The album will include guest appearances by renowned artists such as Dee Snider, Rob Halford, Alice Cooper among many others.

»Old Lions Still Roar« tracklist
01. Rocking Chair feat. Leon Stanford
02. Straight Up feat. Rob Halford
03. Faith In Fire feat. Ben Ward
04. Swing It feat. Alice Cooper
05. Left For Dead feat. Nev MacDonald
06. Walk The Talk feat. Danko Jones & Nick Oliveri
07. These Old Boots feat. Dee Snider
08. Dancing Dogs (Love Survives) feat. Whitfield Crane
09. Dead Roses feat. Benji Webbe
10. Tears From A Glass Eye feat. Joe Satriani

To coincide with the release of his debut solo album, Keep Cardiff Live was lucky enough to sit down with Phil Campbell and son Dane for a short conversation on life and music.

LISTEN TO PODCAST

Feature: Tom Jenkins - Misery in Comfort

Tom Jenkins cut his teeth as the frontman of Straight Lines, a group of school friends that would go onto play shows round the world, release two albums and tour with the likes of Motörhead and The Presidents of the USA to name a few. After a few years on the road, Jenkins returned to his hill farming roots and worked as a traveling shepherd, ending up in New Zealand. He claims the isolation of the outback lead him to write his debut album.

Mixing his unique experiences and unique voice into beautifully, crafted, melodic songs inspired by Country, Folk, Indie-Pop and Emo it wasn’t long before he caught the attention of American producer Elijah Ford and they set about tracking his debut album in Fort Worth, Texas in November 2018.
Tom Jenkins’ debut album is out now supported by a tour including a live performance at Clwb Ifor Bach on Thursday 14th November 2019.

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