It’s been almost seven years since Anthony Phillips released his last album – the twelfth chapter of his “Private Parts & Pieces” series – and while the veteran’s reissue programme on Esoteric was on for some time, one could only hope he’d record new music. And he did. October 25th will see the appearance of “Strings Of Light”: a 2 CD/1 DVD package which contains 24 fresh compositions – in stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound.
“It’s all new material, mainly solo pieces, the result of over a thousand hours of work, so think of it as a leaner, meaner ‘Field Day,'” Ant says. “Recorded mainly in my lovely new living room, there was no specific “concept” or theme, nor inspiration – just lots of lovely guitars that help composing! Lots of different guitars: 6-, 8-, 12-, 16-string… And different tunings, including Nashville tuning. My classical guitars sound better and strong as nails due to a tip-off: dip them in olive oil every day. By the way, the album’s title was inspired by cover photo, so a prize for guessing what the actual subject of the photo was!”
As for the tracks, they run like this (read the review):
Strings Of Light
CD 1:
1. Jour De Fête
2. Diamond Meadows
3. Caprice In Three
4. Castle Ruins
5. Mermaids And Wine Maidens
6. Winter Lights
7. Song For Andy
8. Pilgrimage Of Grace
9. Skies Crying
10. Mouse Trip
11. Restless Heart
12. Still Rain
CD 2:
1. Into The Void
2. Andean Explorer
3. Mystery Tale
4. Sunset Riverbank
5. Tale Ender
6. Shoreline
7. Days Gone By
8. Crystalline
9. Fleur-De-Lys
10. Grand Tour
11. Home Road
12. Life Story
DVD:
* as above
