Glenn Phillips - Guitar :: Jeff Calder - Rhythm Guitar & Keys Bill Rea - Fretless Bass :: John Boissiere - Drums
Sounds Like
"Like Hendrix or Beck, what Phillips can do is amazing. He's a supremely musical player who has something few musicians attain: a voice of his own." - Guitar Player Magazine
GLENN'S MUSIC IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THESE LINKS: eMusic
GLENN PHILLIPS BAND @ Red Light Cafe, March 2008 - "She Don't Know"
HAMPTON GREASE BAND reunion show (Glenn Phillips guitar solo) - June 2006
For the past 40 years, Glenn Phillips has made his living as a guitarist and composer, with 12 critically acclaimed albums out under his own name. Two of his recent releases received 4-star reviews in Rolling Stone, including Echoes, a double CD compilation with a 40-page booklet written by Phillips.
Of his work, Stereo Review writes, "To say that Glenn Phillips plays guitar is like saying Michael Jordan takes shots at the basket." Rolling Stone writes, "If rock & roll guitarists were kamikaze pilots, Glenn Phillips would be in heaven right now," and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution describes his latest release,
Angel Sparks, as "armchair travel to place you didn't even know existed."
Born in 1950, his musical career began in 1967, as a founding member and songwriter of the legendary Hampton Grease Band. The group released a double LP on Columbia and played with countless classic bands of the era, including Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac and The Allman Brothers. Frank Zappa was a fan of the band, and one of their many historic shows was at the Fillmore East with Zappa's Mothers of Invention. Phillips jammed with Zappa that evening, as did John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In 1996, Sony re-released the Hampton Grease Band, which included an extensive history of the group written by Phillips. It received a 9 out of 10, "near perfect" rating in Spin Magazine, and interest in the band continues to this day. The Dec. 2008 Oxford American magazine contains a feature article on the group as well as its music on a CD included in the issue, and they had this to say: "The Grease Band's guitar player, Glenn Phillips, was better and more interesting as a guitarist than Frank Zappa . . ."
In 1973 Phillips began his solo career. Lowell George, the leader of Little Feat, called him "the most amazing guitarist I've ever seen," and Phillips frequently sat in with the band. In 1975, he released his first album, Lost at Sea. Recorded at home and self-released, it predated, as well as influenced, the entire do-it-yourself movement that overtook rock music several years later. It was championed by influential British DJ John Peel, who played it regularly on the BBC, and London's leading music magazine, NME, held a reader's poll, where it came in 2nd. That was followed by a call from famed entrepreneur Richard Branson, who was then head of Virgin Records. They signed Phillips and brought him overseas to tour extensively, including a concert at London's famed Rainbow Theater.
In the years since, Phillips has toured and recorded regularly with his own group, as well as with the Supreme Court, his side project with Jeff Calder of the Swimming Pool Q's. He's also collaborated with artists as diverse as Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, and Pete Buck of REM. Phillips' 1988 recording with Henry Kaiser received San Francisco's coveted Bammy award and NPR has played his music regularly on All Things Considered for the past 20 years.
The one constant throughout his career has been that his music has remained as unique as it is acclaimed. From Relix, "Phillips is a guitarist with flair and imagination and seemingly limitless technical ability. He comes up with a sound that defies categorization. His music is melodic, it's tough, it's uplifting, it's inventive and highly recommended," and from Guitar Player, "A supremely musical player, Phillips has something few musicians attain: a voice of his own."
Just stopping by to say hello, how have things been for you this year? Stop by my page and say hello when you get a chance and keep me posted. I got some discounts on CD’s available too, see blog. Happy Holidays,
Hello My Good Friend, Just stopped in to Visit and Wish You and Your Family a Great and Safe Holiday Season! It is an Honor to be able to call You My Friend. Your Musical Inspiration and Talent has kept Us All Smiling this Year. Great Job! Jimmy
May you know you’re being thought of May you know you are loved May you find the warmth From my good wishes Of love Believe in yourself Never give up You are Precious and Unique You deserve Success And Happiness!
My best To you always !
Thanks so much!! . I do hope you stop by often to see what amazing new things my friends and I have going on!!! wish you all the best Blue
PS… Hi Yes I'm putting you on my Top friends list I'm looking for your site Right now as well……You know how much I like
Glenn, thanks for your comments always. But if I could really play what I feel, it would be a whole new world! That's why I admire the "seasoned" musicians. Just to sit in with some of the talent you've been with would be a great accomplishment. I am not just strokn your strings. Peace my friend, alan
Hey Glenn, just stopping by for a listen. You can tell who the real guitarist are by how they play raw. Your guitar effects are minimal whereas mine need all kinds of added stuff that I can't do naturally. Good work bro! Much respect, peace. alan
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