Phil Beer
Album: Plays Guitar And Fiddle, Sings A Bit
Label: Talking Elephant
Tracks: 15
Website: http://www.philbeer.co.uk

Phil Beer shows himself to be a master of understatement with his new release "Plays Guitar and Fiddle. Sings a bit." This is an album that showcases the multi-instrumentalist in his live solo outings.

Recorded over the last three years at venues the length and breadth of the country it includes well known favourites such as Lowell George's (Little Feat) "Willin" coupled with the traditional "Mary From Dungloe", the latter played and sung slowly with a conviction that makes you listen and yearn.

From the opening "Weathercock" the choice of songs and tunes are impeccable, there's no reaching for the "skip" button, if anything the "repeat" is more likely. We are treated to Nic Jones "Warlike Lads Of Russia" a great ballad which is described as one of those songs where (you) "never felt more like singing the news".

We get "Tommy", not the "Who" classic but rather a heart achingly sad tale about those who feel unable to cope with modern day life ."The Blind Fiddler" gets an outing, it showcases Mr Beer's talent perfectly, a fiddle personally I could never grow tired of. I suspect I'm not alone.

If you are a Phil Beer , Show Of Hands, Albion Band aficionado then you'll rightfully buy this cd and be delighted, alternatively if you love Jethro Tull, Steve Earle or Jackson Browne then you might be surprised by these one man and his instrument versions.

And if like me, you've never really taken on board Kelly Joe Phelps or Reg Meuross then this might be just the encouragement you need to seek out the originals.

All in all it's a cracking album, one that rewards with each listen.

Phil Beer is the master.

Ian Cripps