- Format: CD
- Label: GottDiscs
- Genre: Psychedelic
Originally released in 1970 and 1971 on the A&M record label, now released for the first time as a 2 on 1 CD. Born in 1943 in Fort Worth, Texas, Shawn Phillips is one of most fascinating and enigmatic musicians to come out of the early '70s singer-songwriter boom. The fact that he was a musician as much as a singer/songwriter made him stand out, and helped him attract a dedicated following. His refusal to shape his music - which crosses between folk-rock, jazz, progressive, pop, and classical - to anyone else's expectations has allowed him to hold onto a large and dedicated cult following. Phillips went to England, where he performed and wrote songs with Donovan, in a professional relationship somewhat clouded in controversy. Phillips claimed in interviews during the 1970s that he co-wrote 'Season of the Witch'as well as a major portion of the songs that finally surfaced on the album 'Sunshine Superman', but only ever received one co-author credit for 'Little Tin Soldier'on the 'Fairy Tale' album.'Contribution', Phillips' first major album, is a superb debut, mixing progressive rock and folk sounds in a manner unique to its time. Recorded in 1968 with help from members of Traffic (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Caleb Quayle) among others, this is a condensation of a far more ambitious studio original that was intended to fill three LPs. On 'Second Contribution'- a startling, ever-shifting, album-length musical landscape, Phillips carries us across folk ( 'The Ballad Of Casey Deiss') and rock styles, with a heavy R&B feel at times ( 'Song For Mr. C'), accompanied by a band and arranger Paul Buckminster's (Elton John, Stones, Bowie, Bee Gees) most restrained orchestrations. (Quotes courtesy AMG)TracklistCONTRIBUTION: 1. Man Hole Covered Wagon 2. L Ballade 3. Not Quite Nonsense 4. No Question 5. Withered Roses 6. For JFK RFK & MLK 7. Lovely Lady 8. Screamer For PhlysesSECOND CONTRIBUTION: 9. She Was Waiting For Her Mother At The Station In Torino And You Know I Love You Baby But It's Getting Too Heavy To Laugh 10. Keep On 11. Sleepwalker 12. Song For Mr. C 13. The Ballad Of Casey Deiss 14. Song For Sagittarians 15. Lookin' Up Lookin' Down 16. Remedial Interruption 17. Whazz At 18. Schmaltz Waltz 19. F Sharp Splendor 20. Steel Eyes
