Off The Tracks

Off The Tracks
  • Blog
    • Interviews
    • Miscellany
    • Special Guests
    • Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • The Vinyl Countdown
  • Back Catalogue
  • About
    • About
    • About the banner image
    • On Song
    • Advertise
September 10, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Phil Broadhurst: Soliloquy

Phil Broadhurst

Soliloquy

Rattle

Phil Broadhurst’s final album was recorded in late 2019 and released in June of 2020 following his death, aged 70, in April. It is a beautiful set of spontaneous compositions, solo piano improvisations that were recorded at home – with thanks to Rattle head Steve Garden and engineer John Kim who set up four microphones and a recording system allowing Broadhurst to capture these reflective, tender, evocative instrumentals.

I was always a fan of his playing and particularly the way it suited dense compositions and lighter fare, solo, duo, trio, quartet and larger ensemble settings. There was no one obvious song setting or arrangement style for Broadhurst. He was a player first and foremost. And thoughtful composer and adaptable arranger within (and around) those confines. He cared about communicating a musical idea. The song was in the shape it best suited and here we have little fragments and ballads. These are tinkered little gems, soft noodlings of inspiration.

This is light and lovely and there are gentle surprises in these works. You hear the pianist thinking. You hear the pianist reacting. You hear the pianist composing, shaping, making.

And of course since he knew this to be his final album there’s the poignancy of racing against a deadline, of chasing final thoughts and hidden dreams.

The album has sold through its limited-edition CD run. But it’s a digital landscape we are living in, around and through – so you can still hear this if not hold it. It’s the music that matters and this is glorious, gorgeous piano reveries – reminiscent of Dave Grusin at his most tender. There’s something filmic and scene-setting about these lovely little sunrises and sunsets.
You can support Off The Tracks via PressPatron

Posted in Blog, Reviews and tagged with 20/20, 2019, Album Review, Final Album, Improvisations, John Kim, Phil Broadhurst, Phil Broadhurst: Soliloquy, Piano, posthumous, Raggle, Rattle Records, Soliloquy, Solo, Steve Garden, You can support Off The Tracks via PressPatron. RSS 2.0 feed.
« The Vinyl Countdown # 57
The Story Behind The Cover of My New Book »

Popular

  • Janna Lapidus Leblanc: Four Years In Pictures
  • The Best Guitarist in The World: # 8 – Mark Knopfler
  • The Sad Story of Bob Welch: Fleetwood Mac’s Most Undervalued Member
  • The Ghost of Electricity: War Stories by Jon McLeary # 174 Maraetotara Falls
  • The Faggets: WE DON’T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT SHIT
  • The Best Guitarist in The World: # 11 – Lindsey Buckingham
  • David Bowie’s Most Underrated Album: 1. Outside
  • Mike Edison: Sympathy For The Drummer – Why Charlie Watts Matters
  • Yussef Dayes Trio: Welcome To The Hills
  • Revisiting Live at Knebworth (1990)

Archives

Tags

Album Review Auckland Book Book Review Compilation DJ DJ Set DVD DVD Review EP Film Film Review Gig Gig Review Guest Blog Guitar Interview Jazz Jon Mcleary Live Live Gig LP Movie Music NZ Podcast Poem Record Records Simon Sweetman Soundtrack Spines Spotify Stub Stubs Sweetman Podcast The Ghost of Electricity The Spines The Vinyl Countdown Vinyl Wellington Wgtn Writing You can support Off The Tracks via PressPatron [OST]

Categories

  • Back Catalogue
  • Blog
  • Interviews
  • Miscellany
  • Mixtapes
  • Playlists
  • Podcasts
  • Reviews
  • Scene Of The Day
  • Special Guests
  • The Vinyl Countdown

Off The Tracks is the home of Sweetman Podcast, a weekly interview/chat-based pod. It's also home to my reviews across film, TV, music and books and some creative writing as well.

Off The Tracks aims to provide quality reviews and essays, regular blog updates about the shows, albums, books and movies you should be experiencing.

It's a passion project. Your support will help to keep Off The Tracks online.

All content © 2021 by Off The Tracks. WordPress Themes by Graph Paper Press