The coronavirus has crept into every facet of society including music reviews, and it had inspired the whole reason for this one. David Philips may be a world class singer-songwriter and guitarist, but that virus doesn’t give a shit and all of his gigs has been canceled. Undaunted, Philips had quickly decided to release fifteen demos and rough sketches entitled Demos and Ideas 2015-2007 to help make up for the sudden absence of gig income.
I’d might normally be a little suspicious about the quality of such recordings but Philips has been a DIY guy right from his 2010 debut Heal Yourself Alone and continuing with his four-LP run with Black and Tan Records, starting with 2011’s The Rooftop Recordings. Even his last album Get Along with a full band was all Philips overdubbing himself.
These tracks — starting in 2015 and working its way back in reverse chronological order eight years — still reveal the full artistry of Philips no matter how primitive the setting. Even when he’s recording with a mobile phone. Other cuts were recorded using a four-track cassette recorder or completely produced in the studio. It seems the further back in time we go, the more elemental the arrangements get, making these songs having to stand on their own to make the case. Luckily, Philips’ is accomplished as a songwriter, too, and we find that he was that way years before he put forth his first album.
All of these tunes are Philips’ own, some making it in finished form on an LP and some have not. But nothing feels like half-baked castoffs; even the songs called ‘ideas’ feel like fully-formed ideas.
“5 Long Years (Demo 2015)” has a breezy, jazzy feel recorded with full instrumentation and stylish guitar licks in the aside at the end of the song. “Lady (Idea 2014)” has a nice hook carried out by acoustic guitars and even backing vocals.
“Angel (Demo 2013)” is the first track that actually sounds rough, and as it’s just Philips and an acoustic guitar, it’s nearly unrecognizable to the finished version that appeared on If I Had Wings. At this early stage, it’s clear that this is a great song, though.
You can hear the rain patter behind “The Man In The Moon Looks Scared (Demo 2012)”, and Philips soulful croon executes flawlessly. Fine fingerpicking is found on lightly-accompanied tracks like “I Just (Idea 2011),” “Raining You (Demo 2009),” and “Love In A Jar (Demo 2009),” the former also distinguished by its etching, sing-along lyrics. The instrumental “The Battle of August (Idea 2009)” features even more impressive fingerpicking, revealing real classical guitar fluency on nylon strings.
“Sitting Watching You (Demo 2009)” picks up a theme similar to Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” but deeper into a country feel. “Choose Me (Idea 2009)” has an interesting bridge inserted into the song, showing off a sophistication in composing folk tunes that’s certainly not the mark of a beginner. Years before he made his first record, David Philips then was the David Philips we enjoy now.
Pick up Demos and Ideas 2015-2007 from Bandcamp.
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