Redeemed is Phil Gammage's ninth solo album and like much of his recent material was recorded in New York. This time around he has collaborated with Poet David B. Schell whose poems Phil has adapted into songs for eight out of the 10 numbers on the album. Phil's backing musicians this time around are Michael Fox, Jeff Gordon, Johnny Young, Brian Hack, David Fleming, Joe Nieves and Lizzie Edwards.
The album opens with the laid-back organ and guitar stylings of Good Place that takes you to that Good Place to fall in love, a cool cafe as Phil narrates the different places in New York the lovers can come together organically, without the need for any phone apps, as your never too old to fall in love.
Right On is a mean downtrodden junkie blues from the wrong side of the tracks, where there appears to be no way back, full of regret for ending up down with the dregs of humanity.
Woman In The Window has Phil painting a picture of a lonely lady sitting in a window waiting for something, anything to happen, to take her away from the ennui of her life as it is.
The title track Redeemed is every bit the gospel blues whisperer you might expect it to be, as Phil seeks redemption for any sins he may have committed, the backing vocals slowly becoming more choral.
Serious Trouble has a shuffling beat as Phil explains the kinds of Serious Trouble the wicked woman at the centre of this song will get you in, so you better watch out as the lazy blues make clear.
Johnny Lee has a slight Western swing feel to the blues runs, as we listen in on one more showdown Johnny has to face up too, having done the dirty once more, hoping he can leave town before his house of cards comes tumbling down.
Messages From The Grave come down the wires from a wayward woman sending back news of her adventures on that never ending road, this is mostly acoustic reflections, as her words have been discovered after she's already dead and gone, all that's left is to haunt her former compadres.
Prisoner Of Love slows down this classic to allow every word to have its full impact, letting you know just how strong his love is, sparse organ and guitar add dramatic tension to Phil's declarations, as the slow deliberate bass notes help intensify the feelings.
Phil's Boogie reminds me of The Hollywood Argyles classic Alley-Oop only this boogie is instrumental and has some very fine lean guitar, that lets fly in places.
The album closes with The Rain is all about the cool organ part that everything works around, as the rain pitter patters down at the end of another relationship, as your left waiting in the rain for her to return once more.
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