How to describe the career of a musician who has been doing nothing but rock n roll since he burst on the Central Ohio scene in 1969? I guess the easiest way was for the city of Columbus to name a street after him in 2020. Willie Phoenix returns in 2024 with Save The Angels, his 34th full length release, by our count. Mr. Phoenix is rumored to have literally thousands of unreleased recordings but he will be celebrating his latest slab with a party at Natalie’s Grandview this Saturday February 17th. (Click here for tickets.)
Save The Angels was produced by Willie and recorded by his longtime engineer Brian Eastman at Eastman Studios. Steven Day Carter (drums) and Chuck Birchfield (bass) round out the lineup. Upon reading the credits I was surprised to learn I played rhythm guitar on two tracks. How would I not know this? Fair question. I have joined Willie’s band on an occasion or two and have rehearsed at Eastman Studios which serves as Willie HQ. I knew they were recording there but what I didn’t know was that Willie records everything. Even rehearsals. Every song. Literally everything. If he hears something he likes, he uses the track and overdubs and produces the song straight from the performance captured in rehearsal. It’s part of his process and lifelong dedication to his craft.
Save The Angels is not slick. This is by design. My best description (and please forgive me, I am not a rock music critic) would be psychedelic garage rock. It’s a tight 10-song set with fuzzed out guitars, swirling keyboards and less soling than you might expect from a master guitar player as Mr. Phoenix. The live versions of “Mother” and “Jim Morrison” can stretch on indefinitely, sending the crowd into frenzy. I know this because I have played those songs live with Willie’s band.
On record, both songs are under 3 minutes. It reminds me of something Willie taught my band Watershed when he was producing our debut record over 30 years ago; “Guys, remember what works live may not work on record. Live, people are partying and having a good time. When people get home they might be listening to your record hungover and washing the dishes. Get to the point.”
The one track that pushes more psychedelic than garage would be “Helicopter.” Still, under five minutes, it wouldn’t feel out of place on the Willie Phoenix Flower Machine release from back in the late 80’s.
I have found myself listening to Save The Angels on repeat and as one's ears adjust to the stripped-down production, all sorts of little treats reveal themselves. Check out the track “Brand New Day” a couple of times and you will hear what I mean. Willie Phoenix knows exactly what he is doing, so sit back and enjoy the ride from a master still in his prime seven decades in. SEVEN decades!
Willie Phoenix Save The Angels CD release party - Natalie’s Grandview Sarurday February 17th. Colin Gawel CG2 opens the show and Colin will sit in with Willie & the True Soul Underground. Tables are sold out but GA still available for just $10. Doors 7 pm. Show at 8.
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