Review & Photography by Kevin

I have seen Rob Phillips playing live around Bristol a few  times and noted that he tends to use his voice as an integral part of the instrumentation in a similar way to John Martyn , especially in his acoustic ballads. I was expecting more of the same on his debut album ‘Searching for Trolls’ and it is certainly there, but not as prominent as I had expected.

This album contains as many up-tempo tracks as ballads and the production is first rate. All of the musicians that contributed to the album are accomplished and the vocal accompaniment of the brilliant Anna Parry & Tessa Bickers make this a brilliant album.  While the whole album is a quality product, my favourite track is ‘Stop saying No’ featuring Tessa Bickers & Rob on vocals, starting as a simple melody featuring keyboards & Cello things go double time half way through as the drums & guitar come in, love it!

Album Launches are at

14th July 2009, The Bedford, London (with full band) free entry
16th July 2009 The Louisiana, Bristol (with Beth Porter, and Anna Parry); £3 entry

As with all of the songs on this album, this one grows on you and I have listened to the album many times now so you can take my word for it. Better still get on the web and buy it, you will be helping a highly talented songwriter/musician on his way to the recognition that he deserves.

BRISTOL ROCKS - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED