Tasmanian singer-songwriter Phil Smith returns with his fifth LP under his arm, whose title – Into The Night – and cover photo – by Lib Newman – set the tone. The sister album to 2014’s Year Of The Dog contains nine original, authentic and timeless tracks about “the usual stuff: You know, solitude and loss, death and departure, finding solace in the compassion of strangers, big cities, living too fast, haunting memories of past heartbreaks…”
Smith, responsible for vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, mellotron, harmonica, shaker, piano, organ, banjo and tambourine, surpasses himself with truly beautiful Americana/alt-country songs – appealing stories, heartfelt vocals, guitars that alternately jangle or rock, and a harmonica that goes straight into your heart. For example, listen to the closing lines and notes of Frank’s Song: “And I hold dear these memories, like a candle to the damn night // Cause a life it don’t seem like it’s worth much, with nobody to light // And the nights (they) get lonely, and the days sometimes too // But I’ll hold you my friend like a brother, if you need me to.” Goosebumps.
Into The Night, self-produced, is out digitally and on vinyl LP (self-released). Also featuring Nick Milnes (electric guitar, backing vocals), David Manchip (bass guitar), Dan Benson (drums), Paul Hiscuitt (drums), Beau Thomas (drums), Randal Muir (Hammond organ), Scott Targett (Hammond organ), Matthew Olivier (piano), Al Campbell (bass, organ), and Maggie Edwards (backing vocals).
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