CD RECORDINGS :-
Phil's 1st CD, "Gentle Favour", was completed and self-released (no label) in 2016. It comprises 6 of his most well-received songs to that date - each song being presented as both a "full arrangement" and a stripped-back "acoustic session" version.
It is currently available as a "hardcopy", price £5 (payment currently by cheque only) - to obtain one, please make the request via the contact form on this site. Phil will then reply to you to obtain your details & arrange delivery etc. (If you'd prefer to make this purchase digitally, please use the "CONTACT" page on this website to let Phil know.)
CD Tracks are :-
(Fully-arranged)
Aimless Love; Ground Breaking; A Way To Live; Don't Mind The Rain; The Elven Princess; The Cricket Song
(Acoustic Sessions)
Aimless Love; Ground Breaking; A Way To Live; Don't Mind The Rain; The Elven Princess; The Cricket Song.
(All songs written by Phil.)
The following is an excerpt of the CD's review by “Folk Round-a-bout” magazine :-
“He’s no novice at this game, and his songs have a crafted air of accomplishment with a fairly pronounced ... early-70s influence (especially the troubadour/prog-folk stable). .. it’s a six-song EP, but ... contains the same set-list in two different incarnations .. the full studio arrangement .. and then a more basic “acoustic session” format ... Phil’s own singing style is pleasing and listenable .. but with just a slight degree of roughness here and there ... His guitar playing is accommodating and gently stylish, and the same could be said for the accomplished air of his songwriting ... His strongly voiced commentary on fracking, Ground Breaking, may not be literally so, but its heart is definitely in the right place, while A Way To Live further expounds Phil’s social conscience, and Aimless Love possesses a healthy degree of wistful poignancy ... The Elven Princess is an appealing little fairytale offering, and Don’t Mind The Rain a cheery, wry ... expression of the Yorkshire resident’s gritty resolve and weather-tolerance. Finally, The Cricket Song .. (is a) twangsome country-styled number. .. the “arranged” versions of the .. songs ... boast interesting, fulsomely scored string arrangements by Peter Byrom-Smith, invariably involving the multi-instrumental talents of the CD’s producer/engineer Matt Dawson and his violin-playing girlfriend Hannah Crawford, with a handful of guest appearances from Dez Allenby. Comparison of the two versions of each song proves a fascinating and rewarding exercise ... It’s clear from this collaborative project that .. Phil’s songs lend themselves to different musical possibilities. You’d do yourself – and Phil – a gentle favour by purchasing a copy of this CD: it might (I hope) even encourage him to get another CD together!”
The CD tracks were arranged by Peter Byrom-Smith and Matt Dawson. It was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered at HMS Studios by Matt Dawson.
Other featured musicians include - Dez Allenby, Matt Dawson, Hannah Crawford & Kat Priestley.
Phil's 1st CD, "Gentle Favour", was completed and self-released (no label) in 2016. It comprises 6 of his most well-received songs to that date - each song being presented as both a "full arrangement" and a stripped-back "acoustic session" version.
It is currently available as a "hardcopy", price £5 (payment currently by cheque only) - to obtain one, please make the request via the contact form on this site. Phil will then reply to you to obtain your details & arrange delivery etc. (If you'd prefer to make this purchase digitally, please use the "CONTACT" page on this website to let Phil know.)
CD Tracks are :-
(Fully-arranged)
Aimless Love; Ground Breaking; A Way To Live; Don't Mind The Rain; The Elven Princess; The Cricket Song
(Acoustic Sessions)
Aimless Love; Ground Breaking; A Way To Live; Don't Mind The Rain; The Elven Princess; The Cricket Song.
(All songs written by Phil.)
The following is an excerpt of the CD's review by “Folk Round-a-bout” magazine :-
“He’s no novice at this game, and his songs have a crafted air of accomplishment with a fairly pronounced ... early-70s influence (especially the troubadour/prog-folk stable). .. it’s a six-song EP, but ... contains the same set-list in two different incarnations .. the full studio arrangement .. and then a more basic “acoustic session” format ... Phil’s own singing style is pleasing and listenable .. but with just a slight degree of roughness here and there ... His guitar playing is accommodating and gently stylish, and the same could be said for the accomplished air of his songwriting ... His strongly voiced commentary on fracking, Ground Breaking, may not be literally so, but its heart is definitely in the right place, while A Way To Live further expounds Phil’s social conscience, and Aimless Love possesses a healthy degree of wistful poignancy ... The Elven Princess is an appealing little fairytale offering, and Don’t Mind The Rain a cheery, wry ... expression of the Yorkshire resident’s gritty resolve and weather-tolerance. Finally, The Cricket Song .. (is a) twangsome country-styled number. .. the “arranged” versions of the .. songs ... boast interesting, fulsomely scored string arrangements by Peter Byrom-Smith, invariably involving the multi-instrumental talents of the CD’s producer/engineer Matt Dawson and his violin-playing girlfriend Hannah Crawford, with a handful of guest appearances from Dez Allenby. Comparison of the two versions of each song proves a fascinating and rewarding exercise ... It’s clear from this collaborative project that .. Phil’s songs lend themselves to different musical possibilities. You’d do yourself – and Phil – a gentle favour by purchasing a copy of this CD: it might (I hope) even encourage him to get another CD together!”
The CD tracks were arranged by Peter Byrom-Smith and Matt Dawson. It was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered at HMS Studios by Matt Dawson.
Other featured musicians include - Dez Allenby, Matt Dawson, Hannah Crawford & Kat Priestley.
Instrumental recordings :-
Phil has been invited to add guitar parts to songs recorded by Dez Allenby - this includes recordings of some of Dez's own songs (including Dez's EP "We Sail Our Castles" / "1968" - released during Hull's City of Culture year) and also a recording project Dez undertook for mutual musical acquaintance, Dave Deverson.
Videos :-
Phil - solo spot at Devil's Own Acoustic Club, York on 3rd Sept 2019 - www.facebook.com/2169878933241967/videos/536043957140317/
- solo spot Special Guest for Strawberry Moon at The Back Room, Cottingham on 4th March 2022 - www.facebook.com/philfriendmusic/videos/353093116708906/
Blue Kites - see my YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/channel/UCbuFvRmxKk3b2fY-8AVW4eQ
- includes tracks performed at Bravura@TheBrainJar, Hull on 3rd Nov 2019
Phil has been invited to add guitar parts to songs recorded by Dez Allenby - this includes recordings of some of Dez's own songs (including Dez's EP "We Sail Our Castles" / "1968" - released during Hull's City of Culture year) and also a recording project Dez undertook for mutual musical acquaintance, Dave Deverson.
Videos :-
Phil - solo spot at Devil's Own Acoustic Club, York on 3rd Sept 2019 - www.facebook.com/2169878933241967/videos/536043957140317/
- solo spot Special Guest for Strawberry Moon at The Back Room, Cottingham on 4th March 2022 - www.facebook.com/philfriendmusic/videos/353093116708906/
Blue Kites - see my YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/channel/UCbuFvRmxKk3b2fY-8AVW4eQ
- includes tracks performed at Bravura@TheBrainJar, Hull on 3rd Nov 2019
Radio Broadcasts :-
Tracks from the album "Gentle Favour" have enjoyed positive airings on the following radio stations:-
Radio Scarborough, Vixen101, Black Dog Radio, TD1 Radio, North Highlands Radio, BBC Introducing In York and North Yorkshire, Beverley FM, West Hull FM, Coast & County Radio, Drystone Radio, Triangle Radio, Fab Radio International .
Phil has also done live broadcasts and interviews on Tony Haynes' Folk and Blues (FAB) Show (at the time, broadcasting on Vale Radio), The Fox's Den Show on Vixen101, Beverley Live on Beverley FM and The Folk Programme on Coast & County Radio.
Phil would like to thank the following broadcasters for their support re the above air-time :-
Chris Minz, Tony Haynes, Bill Horncastle, Andy Inns, Donald Strachan, Jericho Keys, Max Roberts, Andy Bassett-Scott, Tim Moon, Marky Smith, Chris Arscott, Andy Fea, Peter Byrom-Smith.
Tracks from the album "Gentle Favour" have enjoyed positive airings on the following radio stations:-
Radio Scarborough, Vixen101, Black Dog Radio, TD1 Radio, North Highlands Radio, BBC Introducing In York and North Yorkshire, Beverley FM, West Hull FM, Coast & County Radio, Drystone Radio, Triangle Radio, Fab Radio International .
Phil has also done live broadcasts and interviews on Tony Haynes' Folk and Blues (FAB) Show (at the time, broadcasting on Vale Radio), The Fox's Den Show on Vixen101, Beverley Live on Beverley FM and The Folk Programme on Coast & County Radio.
Phil would like to thank the following broadcasters for their support re the above air-time :-
Chris Minz, Tony Haynes, Bill Horncastle, Andy Inns, Donald Strachan, Jericho Keys, Max Roberts, Andy Bassett-Scott, Tim Moon, Marky Smith, Chris Arscott, Andy Fea, Peter Byrom-Smith.