Josh Phillips Folk Festival
Asheville, North Carolina, United States
Music
Press
The name of this band is a bit of a misnomer. While it certainly hits the “festival vibe” squarely on the head, the eclectic nature of styles goes miles beyond folk. Comprised of members from some of the area’s favorite bands such as Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Toubab Krewe, Acoustic Syndicate, STRUT, Laura Reed and Deep Pocket and Blue Rags, Josh Phillips Folk Festival runs the musical gamut. The opening track (“You are Loved”) greets the ears with a quiet piano and vocal number that immediately struck me as being a collaboration between Tom Waits and Rufus Wainwright, and from there it goes careening about the spectrum. Soul, hip-hop and reggae rub elbows with emotive acoustic guitar confessions, and even a tune that sounds straight out of an Irish pub. The sheer depth of the “musical bench” is evident in every track. While the number and variety of instruments is expansive, I was particularly taken with the female vocals, the targeted use of the horn section, and the funky keyboard stylings. Recorded at Echo Mountain and Altamont studios in Asheville, the production value is top-notch and allows for these great musicians to shine. Pick this one up. - Bold Life
Discography
Wicker, 2008 Self-Produced, Self-Released
Photos
Bio
With a message that is positive, sincere, and honest, Josh Phillips Folk Festival has been gaining fans that range from the youngest musical listeners, to seasoned long time traditional music fans. Phillips has truly provided a strong testament to his ability to effortlessly capture generations worth of musical evolution, bringing the listener back to the very source of roots, folk, rock, r&b, and Soul
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