A couple of things stick in my mind looking back on Phil Wilson's
solo outing further to the break up of The June Brides. It seemed
ironic that Alan McGhee suggested Phil Wilson record for Creation
Records when the June Brides where overlooked. I cant figure what
he expected to make of Phil's undoubted talents. I figured Phil
would become another one of Creations maverick songwriters, a
new Nikki Sudden perhaps. I would have liked that, although relative
obscurity would have beckoned I would have been happy with a new
Phil Wilson album every few years. Instead we got 2 singles.
There was great anticipation when I heard "Waiting For A
Change" (Mar 87) was to be the debut single I have loved
this song from the June Brides Peel session of Oct 1985. However
the alternative Phil Wilson version was a bit of a surprise especially
for the climate of 1987 but a fabulous single none the less. A
country jangle, slide guitar infused arrangement, a rap-itty rap
of a bluegrass beat, is that a Theremin thing? I'm not sure, maybe
one of those lap guitars. Phil had obviously been listening to
his Mike Nesmith and Dillard & Clark records. However this
still glowed with characteristic Phil Wilson charm and wonderful
lyrical couplings:
"All around is desolation, you
think it's a game,
Your attitude's no consolation for all this pain."
This was backed with "Even Now", which showed that
the country influence was not a one off. This is a beautiful balled
which a lovely slide guitar line. I didn’t know any info on the
band backing Phil used on this record I guessed he had hired in
some crack country folk outfit, there is some great guitar work
and nice just noticeable hushed backing vocals, another great
song. I felt Phil was onto something.
Musically these songs take trademarks from country, folk, bluegrass
players but with adding UK Indie pop sensibilities and just damn
good song writing the results are not just homage to some favourite
records, not just an attempt from an Indie pop pioneer to take
his writing in a new unpredicted angle but just great songs.
I can understand Phil Wilson wanting to take his music in a different
direction. He had already been lumped in, rightly or wrongly,
with a whole genre of Indie pop, shackles that needed shaken off.
It is far too grand a step to say Phil Wilson pre-empted the whole
alt.country thing of a decade or so later but he did take similar
influences and predated that now well established, sub genre that
mixed the influences of late sixties psychedelic country with
a post punk, Indie sensibility.
This single was followed by "10 Miles" (June 87), this
found Phil going back towards a more guitar based sound although
hardly predictable there is almost a north African bazaar guitar
motif running through this (I kid you not!) but the overall structure,
rock drums and crescendo of the chorus is more traditional. It's
still a fine guitar pop single. This is actually radio friendly.
I believe it flopped.
More than a year passed for the next and final Phil Wilson single.
"Better Days" appeared as a low key self produced release
on Bob Stanley’s fledgling CAFF Records. At the time I felt this
was a post humus release although I am not too sure. This is part
country Phil Wilson, part June Brides happy go lucky sound but
Phil lays on the pathos thick, that bittersweet Phil Wilson trademarks.
This songs return to classic not belonging, I love this song.
It’s raw, simple, and effective.
"Time passed so slowly, and I was
so lonely,
I woke up to find life going wrong,
My dreams and plans, slipped through my hands,
I can't find the place where I belong."
This was backed with "The Written Word" another long
lost gem as Wilson articulates wonderful personal (and party)
politics amongst an, at first, melancholy melody bass and vocal
only delivery, then wonderful build to the chorus.
This is a classic single, 2 great sides. These 3 singles are
a great piece of work and stand shoulder to shoulder with the
June Brides. Its hard to pick of favourite from "Waiting
for a Change", "Even Now", "The Written Word",
"10 Miles", "Better Days", a great body of
work.
"Better Days" felt like a Phil Wilson and the June Brides
epitaph. A sense of regret "My dreams and plans, slipped
through my hands" there is always a thread of sadness through
Wilson’s songs however Phil’s songs work things out, like Phil’s
Wilson's personal therapy, they come out optimistic.
Now listening to the CD of these songs 15 years after the fact
it great to re-visit not just the songs but the story.
- Dec 2005
"Every Conversation: The story of the June Brides
and Phil Wilson" is
out now
I now know it was The Triffids who provided the backing band
for the "Waiting for a Change"!
Track Listing
