Copyright 2009 Your Company
David Philips Copyright © 2011
New Album - THE ROOFTOP RECORDINGS out NOW!
Hover mouse over CD artwork to skip tracks etc.
Hover mouse over CD artwork to skip tracks etc.
I live in a roof top apartment at the top of a block of flats in Barcelona, Spain. High up above the scooters, bar terraces, police sirens and occasional firecrackers, but close enough to hear them in the distance. Up where the summer Swifts and House Martins screech and feed, I sit out on the roof terrace and write songs.
When it came time to record these songs, I decided to record at home. I have a few mics set up in the room that leads on to the same roof terrace where I like to write. I closed the door to achieve the lowest amount of background noise possible, tradition tells us to do this. But there was something not quite right, I was missing the very elements that inspired the music in the first place. So I went against tradition and I opened the door again.
The result is a kind of "fly on the wall" experience, and that's the idea of this record. The songs stripped down to the bare bones, just my voice, a guitar (be it regular 6 string Acoustic, 3 string Cigar Box Guitar, 4 string Ukulele or Lap style Dobro played with a solid steel bar), a little harmonica now and then and maybe some foot stomping. No overdubs, just live, one take, in the moment kind of recording and if you listen carefully you'll hear in the background a soundscape created by the people and creatures I share my environment with, just like any other day up here on the roof.
When it came time to record these songs, I decided to record at home. I have a few mics set up in the room that leads on to the same roof terrace where I like to write. I closed the door to achieve the lowest amount of background noise possible, tradition tells us to do this. But there was something not quite right, I was missing the very elements that inspired the music in the first place. So I went against tradition and I opened the door again.
The result is a kind of "fly on the wall" experience, and that's the idea of this record. The songs stripped down to the bare bones, just my voice, a guitar (be it regular 6 string Acoustic, 3 string Cigar Box Guitar, 4 string Ukulele or Lap style Dobro played with a solid steel bar), a little harmonica now and then and maybe some foot stomping. No overdubs, just live, one take, in the moment kind of recording and if you listen carefully you'll hear in the background a soundscape created by the people and creatures I share my environment with, just like any other day up here on the roof.
Other albums
Debut Album - Heal Yourself Alone
Click album artwork to hear tracks, info and purchase links.
Click album artwork to hear tracks, info and purchase links.
Press for The Rooftop Recordings
#34 in the top 100 roots/country albums of 2011, compiled by Roots Music Report in the US.
#25 on the Euro Americana Chart for October 2011
#11 on the July / August airplay chart of the Collectif des Radio Blues; a society representing all blues radio shows in the French speaking countries.
Featured on the LUISTERPAAL (listening pole) of RADIO 6 in Holland.
"I consider this as one of the best singer-songwriter albums in its genre of the past year." - FOLKWORLD Magazine
"It could just be that British ex-pat David Philips has recorded one of this year's best albums." - Blues In The North West (UK)
"A Chris Smither from the other side of the pond, Philips keeps it straightforward simple, making The Rooftop Recordings a simple pleasure." - Something Else Reviews (US)
"Those who appreciate fine guitar playing and intelligent songs should investigate and they will find plenty to enjoy." - Blues In Britain Magazine
"(David) has proved that his first LP was not an accident... a simple and precious treat and that's why it's our Album of The Week." - The Good Music Fox (US)
"Today, I'm feeling those Monday blues and this single from UK-born blues/folk artist, David Philips, is hitting the spot musically and lyrically." - Groove Loves Melody (US)
" ***** This varied album is reminiscent of debut records from top artists such as Tracy Chapman, Jack Johnson and Jose Gonzalez." - Soundlike.be (Belgium)
"Real blues treasures and wonders of pure folk... to be ordered as soon as possible!" - Zicazac (France)
"Bald. Goosebumps. Vulnerable. Crying and beautiful." - Bluesmagazine.nl (Holland)
"He is a fabulous songwriter with material that is both memorable and moving." - Przemek Draheim (Poland)
"The Rooftop Recordings is a beautiful and soothing, bluesy listening experience that we recommend to lovers of beautiful voices and guitars." - Rootstime (Belgium)
"Nice, intimate and soothing acoustic blues with enough variety to keep up
the listening activity. David's vocal abilities are in balance with his
excellent guitar skills." - Esa Kuloniemi, Finnish Broadcasting Company (Finland)
"...absolutely amazing and beautiful guitar playing.." - Moors Magazine (Holland)
"...amazing how he sings with passion and dynamics.." - Blues Online (Poland)
"A great songster, a deep bluesman, a sensitive folk singer. MAGNIFIQUE!" - Serge Warin / Radio Canal Blue (France)
#34 in the top 100 roots/country albums of 2011, compiled by Roots Music Report in the US.
#25 on the Euro Americana Chart for October 2011
#11 on the July / August airplay chart of the Collectif des Radio Blues; a society representing all blues radio shows in the French speaking countries.
Featured on the LUISTERPAAL (listening pole) of RADIO 6 in Holland.
"I consider this as one of the best singer-songwriter albums in its genre of the past year." - FOLKWORLD Magazine
"It could just be that British ex-pat David Philips has recorded one of this year's best albums." - Blues In The North West (UK)
"A Chris Smither from the other side of the pond, Philips keeps it straightforward simple, making The Rooftop Recordings a simple pleasure." - Something Else Reviews (US)
"Those who appreciate fine guitar playing and intelligent songs should investigate and they will find plenty to enjoy." - Blues In Britain Magazine
"(David) has proved that his first LP was not an accident... a simple and precious treat and that's why it's our Album of The Week." - The Good Music Fox (US)
"Today, I'm feeling those Monday blues and this single from UK-born blues/folk artist, David Philips, is hitting the spot musically and lyrically." - Groove Loves Melody (US)
" ***** This varied album is reminiscent of debut records from top artists such as Tracy Chapman, Jack Johnson and Jose Gonzalez." - Soundlike.be (Belgium)
"Real blues treasures and wonders of pure folk... to be ordered as soon as possible!" - Zicazac (France)
"Bald. Goosebumps. Vulnerable. Crying and beautiful." - Bluesmagazine.nl (Holland)
"He is a fabulous songwriter with material that is both memorable and moving." - Przemek Draheim (Poland)
"The Rooftop Recordings is a beautiful and soothing, bluesy listening experience that we recommend to lovers of beautiful voices and guitars." - Rootstime (Belgium)
"Nice, intimate and soothing acoustic blues with enough variety to keep up
the listening activity. David's vocal abilities are in balance with his
excellent guitar skills." - Esa Kuloniemi, Finnish Broadcasting Company (Finland)
"...absolutely amazing and beautiful guitar playing.." - Moors Magazine (Holland)
"...amazing how he sings with passion and dynamics.." - Blues Online (Poland)
"A great songster, a deep bluesman, a sensitive folk singer. MAGNIFIQUE!" - Serge Warin / Radio Canal Blue (France)