Phillip Mitchell
Athens, Georgia, United States
Music
Press
Phillip Mitchell is a Georgia-based, self-taught singer/songwriter with soul. A former pop/Christian singer of the Bill Cleveland Band, Phillip decided to explore various musical genres and up and coming artists, thus producing the multi-textured sound you’ll find on his new CD ‘Soul’.
Soul opens with Eastern Standard Life which has a very distinct Elvis Costello flavor and fantastic backups. Track 2, a very catchy upbeat song, Don’t Leave Me Alone, reminds me of something Billy Joel would have a hit with. The title track, Soul, has a Matchbox 20 air about it – definitely a stand out. The next song is amazing- something like a Sgt. Pepper / Beatles groove ‘Reason We’re Alive’. The fifth track, Every Time, is sexy! What an intro! Think “Let’s Get it On”. The backup here reminds me of Kiki Dee. Next comes ‘Joanne’ (my personal fave) great melody, just wonderfully written. The refrain here is unreal! So catchy! Some funky guitar opens the next track – ‘Wish You Well’ another Billy Joel-esque tune. Interestingly fun lyrics here-“you go driving sideways”, “waiting on the man in the bathroom stall”. A Zeppelin-styled tune follows with a Randy Newman-y refrain- ‘Karma’. The next track reminds me of both Elvis Costello singing ‘Allison’ and John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ – it floats and flows and is called ‘Church Sunday’. Some HOT piano is next – on ‘Conway Twitty’. This is another standout – again beautifully done melody and backups. Love it! ‘Even When You’re Older’, the next song, has a gorgeous lyrical quality . The closing track, ‘Three Streets Down’ – is very addictive, upbeat, and makes you smile.
Got Soul? If you don’t, pick up this up. If you do – you can’t NOT buy this CD! - Up Next Magazine
Discography
SOUL 2007
SOUL II 2009
The Second Act 2010
Tracks played in the Homegrown Podcast in the UK:
http://homegrown.libsyn.com/
Tracks played on Indiespectrum:
http://www.indiespectrum.com/
Photos
Bio
Self-taught singer-songwriter and pianist Phillip E. Mitchell’s LP, Therapy, should keep you on the couch for the duration of its forty-five minute running time—about the time of a typical session of therapy, but for a reduced fee. Athens music magazine, The Flagpole, called Mitchell’s music “soulful” and “mellow” with a “theatrical edge” while on tour with the Colorful Quiet in 2009. Therapy continues this tradition with personal, semi-autobiographical songs that chronicle the last two years of his life.
After raising money on Kickstarter.com, Mitchell recruited a stellar line-up of musicians to help him realize his vision. Gerry Hansen, drummer and producer of Shawn Mullins’ newest album Light You Up, came aboard to play drums. Famed Nashville producer and former member of Fleming and John, John Mark Painter (Ben Folds & Gabe Dixon Band), contributed horn tracks, Grammy nominated John Keane (Widespread Panic & R.E.M.) played bass, and Andy Carlson (R.E.M & the Cowboy Junkies), whom the New York Times called “demon fiddler,” arranged and played strings.
Mitchell’s music avoids easy point-by-point comparisons to other artists in the piano pop pantheon. While he cites Folds, Elton John, Billy Joel, Randy Newman, and Leon Russell as influences, his songs, both in melodic sensibility and style, are all his own.
Look for the release of Therapy sometime in 2011. Mitchell is currently seeking management/label representation to help him along his journey.
Mitchell's past releases are SOUL, SOUL II, and The Second Act. You can check these out on itunes or CDBABY:
www.cdbaby.com/artist/phillipmitchell
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