Phil Burdett is in his mid-50s but sounds older. He was born in Kent but could easily be mistaken for an American. His voice is gruff and raspy but his songs are more worldly than cynical.
After a career spanning over two decades, and for reasons best known to himself, he now releases his 10th and 11th albums (21 songs in all) on the same day.
Both albums were recorded in Essex although Shaky Path To Arcadia takes themes and dreams from America so includes references to Greyhound buses, midnight trains and Beach Boy, Carl Wilson.
The songs are warmer and more direct than his previous album 'Dunfearing & the West Country High' although the influence of Van Morrison and Tom Waits is just as evident. This is billed as the second part of a 'Secular Mystic Trilogy' (part three is "currently under construction").
For Humble Ardour Remains, Burdett's voice is, with the exception of Jackleg Preacher, less Waitsian and the songs are more laid back and meditative in character.
Burdett seems destined to remain known by a select few so it is surprising just how classy and accomplished these elegiac songs sound. You could be forgiven for thinking it was the work of a well established 'star' taking stock of a long life and successful career. The unhurried, confidence is of a man who knows he can pen a good tune and has a fine backing band behind him.
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If I were to venture an opinion as to why he's not more popular, I'd say that he emulates the tone of great song writers but doesn't reveal enough of his own personality. To empathize with this kind of material, the listener needs to know where the artist is coming from.
I have no idea why, for instance, one song should be called Bryan Ferry's Magnificent Coat. It is also unclear why the Arcadia work comes with a quote by James Joyce and the lyric sheet to the other is prefaced by lines by Charles Bukowski and Samuel Beckett.
Whatever the reason, Bukowski's words are, I suspect, an indicator of the singer's philosophy of life: "We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us". I'll drink to that!
Phil Burdett's website
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