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BAND MEMBERS: Phil Johns
RELEASES: Illusion Fades Away

MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/philjohnsnz

About Phil Johns

Phil Johns is a diverse blues/country/funk/soul/folk/rock artist from New Zealand. Born and raised in Rotorua, Phil began learning the guitar and writing songs at aged 13.

Musicians featured on the album Illusion Fades Away are: Peter Hill, Rick Harvie, Delaney Davidson, Jody Lloyd, Julian Marchant, Lia Lautusi, David Lloyd, Stuart Harris, Rich Densem and Anna Hill.

 

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review from New Zealand Musician Mag:
Reviewer: Amanda Mills
It's not often that a debut album by an unknown artist provides a truly satisfying listening experience, but 'Illusion Fades Away' is an interesting, varied record. Phil Johns is based in Germany, but returned to New Zealand to record his 'dream' album with Christchurch producer Jody Lloyd, on Lloyd's label She'll Be Right Records. Part of the recording process was detailed by a German documentary crew, who were fascinated by Johns' voice, and evidently wanted to follow the recording to the other end of the world. The vocals are unique, reminiscent to me of Rufus Wainwright's with similarities in timbre. The music is broad in scope, with tracks veering from alt-country to alt-pop. The most successful songs are Roots, with its syncopated rhythms, glockenspiel, acoustic and slide guitars; Campfire Song, which is purely acoustic, Johns' voice, his guitar playing, backing vocals, and a ghostly whistle, courtesy of David Lloyd, and The Grand Illusion, which has an introduction that showcases Mariachi-style trumpets played by Julian Marchant. The instrumentalists on this album are all exceptional, especially steel and slide guitarist Delaney Davidson, whose work puts a touch of expansiveness into tracks such as We All Win. A highly recommended debut.



review from cd baby:
five star album album!
Reviewer: Michelle Piko
I don't know anything about Phil Johns so i'm reviewing this purely for it's musical merits. The first few tracks are a little hard to get into (1) because of phil's unusual voice and (2) the songs are a little bit cheese. But once I had warmed into his style the rest of the album just kicks. Awesome production, so simple, but so much going on. Whoever produced and mixed this are very clever, everything fits together perfectly. The genre is hard to pin point, it's a little folk, blues, country and often tinges of 70's rock, funk and things like the doobie brothers. instruments are all live and include lap steel, banjo's, whistles, and array of guitars and percussion. and an awesome harmonica solo in So Amazing. Highlights for me are: Come into my Frame, We All Win, So Amazing, Roots, The Grand Illusion, Wake Up, Copland Valley. there are so many good songs here it's hard to pick a favourite!