Description
The first live album by the British folk-pop duo Phil & John (Phil Baggaley and John Hartley), simply entitled Live, was released on What? Records in 1990. Featuring covers of “What Kind Of Love Is This?” (a song written by Bryn Haworth and originally recorded on his 1983 album Wings of the Morning) and “Child Of My Time” (a song written by Steve Goddard and recorded on his 1979 album Waiting for Goddard).
“I’d like to dedicate this next song to all the garden gnomes everywhere in the whole world…” Rapturous applause and fade; end of album. A neat way to go out: preaching to the converted. It perfectly captures the spirit of this release: accessible concepts, familiar music, homespun philosophy. Close your eyes and you could well be eight rows back, held by the spaces, the silences, the eye contact and, above all, the timing. It is rare to find such uncontrived rapport, that self-deprecatory illusion which takes you into an artistes confidence. The anecdotal, autobiographical delivery insists that we know these guys. It is unique in a world where humour is usually far more prescribed. There can hardly be a more successful act of this kind anywhere in Europe, and since the very best way to hear these two troupers is in concert, a live album is the most natural extension of the experience. Okay, so you can’t see the guitars being picked, or the wry smiles, or drink in the intimate, reassuring atmosphere, but what you hear is a harmony of heart, voice and mind, offered in tantalizing short bursts: sweet, near-acoustic guitar and keyboards with blended vocals wrapped around acceptable narrative. Intelligent production has kept the visual gags to a minimum. You know you’ve been entertained. Later, you discover you’ve been given something to think about. Phil and John cut through the pretensions of contemporary pop/rock, not as a phenomenon, but as a timeless reminder that the relaxed and gentle art of the minstrel is alive and well and living (occasional) in Derby. Join them on the night. [Phil Thomson, Cross Rhythms, July 1990]
CD tracklist:
01. Oblivious
02. The Boxer
03. Australia Story
04. Homeward Bound
05. Child Of My Time
06. Stay Young
07. Teeth Story
08. The Day The North Left Town
09. Tommy The Tortoise
10. Echoes To Return
11. What Kind Of Love?
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by What? Records.
Phil & John Live, VHS Video Album, What? Records.
Firstly, if you’ve got ‘P & J Live’ on album and don’t think that you’ll buy this because it’s just the same – forget it. This contains seven tracks which are not on the aforesaid compilation. That’s mainly because this was recorded at a different place to the album, notably Greenbelt 1990. Superb covers of «Oblivious» and «The Boxer», their standard opening, give way to a number of their own compositions «Feels Like The Summer» and «Gabriel’s Sitting In» are two such. There’s humour too, (“No,” I hear you gasp!) with Phil’s legendary sacking from the band and the ever popular «Gnome Song». My only qualm was where is «Tommy The Tortoise»? The set, which lasts an hour and is well worth every second, concludes with a near perfect «Jesus How Lovely You Are»/«It Will Be Worth It All» harmony at which point… no, I won’t tell you. Buy it, they’re great. [Chris Berry, Cross Rhythms, February 1993]
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