ANTHONY PHILLIPS - PRIVATE PARTS & PIECES PART I - 1978

Anthony Phillips, founding member and guitarist of Genesis, displays what he does best with this series: delicate, pastoral and classically-influenced pieces, usually played on acoustic guitar or piano. The first Private Parts & Pieces album is one of the best of the lot. The rapid, three piano work-out of "Beauty and the Beast" is a stunner, all the more remarkable in that it was recorded in a mere four hours. "Reaper" is one of Ant's high-profile guitar pieces, and an electric guitar transformation of it can be found on Private Parts and Pieces II. "Tibetan Yak Music" is a droning haze of twelve-string, recorded under the production of Harry Williamson, who is known for his collaborations with Gong's Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth. The three songs with vocals are all pretty good. Ant's lead vocals aren't great, but their imperfections here add to the intimate charm. "Silver Song" is perhaps the most immediately welcoming: a pop song with some catchy, countrified hooks that were originally included with the hopes that Eric Clapton would record it! "Stranger," is a self-described "unabashedly romantic" tune that is from the Trespass era of Genesis. The heartbreakingly bittersweet "Seven Long Years" that closed the original album is a reprise of "Lullaby - Old Father Time," this time played on a charming upright. This album's a real treat, but not for lovers of flash or instant accessibility. Enjoy with a nice cup of peppermint tea!

review by Joe McGlinchey — undated — post a comment (0)
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