Phil Saatchi releases Sun Come Up which showcases the many strings to his bow.

Release Date: 28th February 2020

Formats: CD/ DL

The pulsating, wailing guitar riff that explodes on the opening track with clever wordsmithery, “time, tick, tick, ticking away” sets us up for one of the most versatile pieces of music I’ve listened to for a while.

Each track has its own identity ensuring that Phil Saatchi lives up to his reputation of having many strings to his bow. From the rollicking, driving opening the gentle piano accompaniment on You Gave Me Gospel’ is so different that you wouldn’t be faulted for thinking it was a different vocalist. The guitar style alters too.

A bigger production with orchestral backing shows a change in the flow again as our musical guide becomes balladeer in Rise and Fall. Next comes a political outcry as echoing vocals tell us no cavalry will be coming over the horizon to save America. The many styles of guitar work may have similarities to well known virtuoso players but these express the skill of the guitarist. Title track Sun Comes Up shifts the style again towards a 60’s /early 70’s singer-songwriter style with a rocky vibe, twangy guitar with a hippy style chorus. “Be so glad when the sun comes up” would fit comfortably in a rock opera and seems to be a jibe at someone.

How can one person have the ability to create so many varying genres or have so much space in his musical cupboard? It’s pointless trying to liken his musicianship to other artists, he is worthy of being labelled with more than just a derivative tag. It’s just what he does; he is an articulate lyricist and an accomplished musician.

Take On The World sensitively voices his concern about allowing children to explore the world on their own and release his paternal influences. His worries for the future and how we will move on from the state of uncertainty we’re in at the moment are also poignantly revealed in Wanting To Explode which has a jazzy feel with computerised effects on the vocals, which usually I’m not a fan of but it works here.

Next up, its the blues which are on offer in Not For Sale the type of 12 bar Chicago style blues which rocks with a harmonica solo and excruciatingly great riff. In Chasing he throws the kitchen sink at us and I won’t even attempt to nail it down but merely concede it’s just Phil Saatchi at his creative best and most versatile. A much more pared-down acoustic guitar is the accompaniment for sweetly sung Song for a Survivor.

To conclude and leave us fully sated with most popular genres being covered we have all-out improv jazz on Now And Then, with double bass intro and melodic guitar with all the familiar organ sound, flute and subtle piano chords in the background.

This is an entertaining listen with something to suit everyone. Phil is a Jack of all trades…and master of them too!! His lyrics are never cliched or trite whatever message or mood he wishes to convey and like a good novel, there are no throw away chapters to fill any gaps. His musical ear has a broad spectrum and one can see why many professionals appreciate his talents. This album touches most of my musical buttons.

Listen to Sun Come Up here:

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