Description
The Indescribable Wow is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Sam Phillips (not counting her efforts as Leslie Phillips), released on Virgin Records in June 1988. The album was recorded by Rik Pekkonen assisted by Mike Ross at Ocean Way Recording and The Sound Factory in Hollywood, California; with T-Bone Burnett producing. Mixed by Kevin Killen. All songs written by Sam Phillips except track B2 and B3 co-written with T-Bone Burnett.
Rolling Stone Magazine called the album “a exquisitely crafted, introspective romantic pop gem” and Sam Phillips was described as “a major talent with great rewards to offer.” Fun trivia: The album title was taken not from one of the album’s songs but from a sermon title spotted on a church marquee by a studio engineer during the recording sessions.
After ‘The Turning‘, arguably one of the finer artistic statements of 1987, Leslie Phillips made her “thanks, but no thanks” departure from contemporary Christian music, but nobody really believed that she was done with music.
«Expectations», which many presumed to be about a failed love, could easily have been an indictment of the pressures and limitations laid upon Phillips as a Christian artist on a Christian label. Now, on ‘The Indescribable Wow’, she is reintroducing herself to the world in a new identity, but the heart of ‘The Turning’ is still beating.
Although the name ‘The Indescribable Wow’ comes from the Memphis producer that gave us the early rock ‘n’ roll of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and the Million Dollar sessions, ‘The Indescribable Wow’ occupies the same uneven ground of ‘The Turning’ without the theological concerns addressed directly on the surface.
The resolution of «Love Is Not Lost» comes from the praxis of human relational conflict as expressed throughout ‘The Indescribable Wow’. «I Don’t Want to Fall in Love», «What Do I Do», «I Don’t Know How to Say Good-bye» and «I Can’t Stop Cryin» find Phillips iliciting a full range of responses, portraying the complexity of romantic love and commitment in current times. «Flame», is a reflection on the pull of temptation. «She Can’t Tell Time», «Out of Time» and a song of struggle against the false security of wealth and fame, «Holding on to The Earth», etch out a perspective not unlike ‘The Turning’, if indeed out of necessity less transparent and personal.
On the whole ‘The Indescribable Wow’, true to most of Burnett‘s efforts, seems poised for greater critical acclaim than commercial appeal. That is not to say that we won’t hear Phillips’ fine 60s-cum-80s, Beatles-influenced music, melodies and voice on the radio, but this does not have “hits” written all over it. Also, who knows yet what kind of support Virgin Records is prepared to sink behind a “new” artist.
‘The Indescribable Wow’ will appear to lack some of the depth of ‘The Turning’, especially to those who have watched her growth in the last five years. However, if taken as it is meant to be, an introduction, this The Indescribable Wow is the kind of female artist with something to say and the heart and voice to back it up. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, September 1988]
On this remarkable singer’s last album, The Turning (which she recorded under the name Leslie), Phillips glided through a vivid, stripped-down collection of country, pop and inspirational tunes produced by T Bone Burnett. Regrettably, almost no one bought it. Although this time out she has stuck with Burnett, she has switched labels (from Word/Myrrh to Virgin), has taken on the name of the single most important nonperforming contributor to the development of rock & roll and has broadened her concerns to the whole of American and European pop. The songs on The Indescribable Wow are often first-person evocations of fear («I Don’t Want to Fall in Love», «I Don’t Know How to Say Goodbye», «I Can’t Stop Cryin’»), and Phillips puts them all across with wary confidence, unsure of some moves, determined to make them all count.
The Indescribable Wow follows through on many of the strongest ideas from Burnett’s last album, The Talking Animals. But instead of erudite, overly precise arrangements, on this album Burnett employs a looser style. There are overt Sixties-pop references all over the place – the modified tango «Flame» is one of many blatant midperiod-Beatles references – but Phillips always sounds progressive, even on «What Do I Do», the most self-consciously arty song here.
Whatever she calls herself, Phillips is a major talent, with great rewards to offer. Here’s hoping someone hears them this time. [Jimmy Guterman, Rolling Stone Magazine, January 12 – 1989]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-indescribable-wow/723723007)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I Don’t Want To Fall In Love” – 2:50
A2. “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye To You” – 3:18
A3. “Flame” – 2:33
A4. “Remorse” – 3:43
A5. “What Do I Do” – 3:52
Side Two
B1. “I Can’t Stop Crying” – 3:17
B2. “Holding On To The Earth” – 3:00
B3. “She Can’t Tell Time” – 3:35
B4. “What You Don’t Want To Hear” – 2:59
B5. “Out Of Time” – 4:26
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Virgin Records.
“Holding On To The Earth” (MUSIC VIDEO)
“Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye To You” (MUSIC VIDEO)
Sam Phillips with Mark Heard, Live at JC Dobbs, Philadelphia 12.4.1988
CREDITS. Produced by T-Bone Burnett. Recorded at Ocean Way Recording and The Sound Factory in Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Rik Pekkonen assisted by Mike Ross. Additional recording by Tchad Blake. Assistant engineers: Dave Knight, Brian Soucy, and Clif Norrell. Mixed by Kevin Killen. Mastered by Howie Weinberg at Masterdisk in NYC. Production Co-ordinator: Tim Davis. Track A5 arranged by Van Dyke Parks and T-Bone Burnett. Design and Cover Photography by Mick Haggerty. Back and inside photographs by Melanie Nissen. Art Direction by Jeff Ayeroff and Mick Haggerty. All songs written by Sam Phillips except track B2 and B3 co-written with T-Bone Burnett.
Musicians: T-Bone Burnett (Guitar, Mandocello, Marxophone), Mike Utley (Organ), Darrell Leonard (Trumpet), Jerry Scheff (Bass), David Miner (Bass, Harpsichord, Harmonium), Buell Neidlinger (Cello, String Bass), Mickey Curry (Drums), Steve Jordan (Drums), Alex Acuña (Drums, Percussion), Ralph Forbes (Drum Machine).
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