SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PHILIP RAMBOW – I’M AN ARTIST

PHILIP RAMBOW
I’M AN ARTIST
INDEPENDENT

It has been far too long since we had an album of new material from Philip Rambow. Here, on I’m An Artist, Rambow has returned with 11 songs of what he does best. These are personal and emotional songs set to some fine rock ‘n’ roll. The one-time member of The Winkies has released a number of albums that have gone on to be regarded as classic. You can add I’m An Artist to that collection.

On this album, one finds Rambow in a reflective mood. The lyrics of “Bus Stop” sum up the album, a great song with a strong melody and moving lyrics. Elsewhere, Rambow sings about the joys of being alive and facing the inevitable in “Cold Blue Steel. “The Man In The Iron Mask” is a brilliant self-assessing song with wonderful lyrics. “The Emperor’s Clothes” is a cautionary tale and all a call for more awareness. Again, Rambow knocks it out of the park.

Rambow is assisted by Malcolm Doherty, who not only produced the album but played the lion’s share of instruments on the album. Rambow provides the tasteful guitar and vocals and the two have a great working partnership. Doherty has done an excellent job producing and arranging the songs that fit perfectly for Rambow. It is not always straight ahead rock ‘n’ roll, Doherty and Rambow dip their toes in several styles. The country influenced “The Road To Hell”\ or the New Orleans jazz-infused “Lost Without You” are excellent examples.

I’m An Artist is a brilliant album that holds together as an album and yet each individual song is a treat unto itself. Rambow’s voice and writing are as sharp and poignant as ever and he has come up with songs that are very intimate, yet songs that one can still relate to. It is an embracing and welcoming album. Pull up a chair and let Rambow sing a few songs and tell a few stories. He is, as the title states, a very talented artist.

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