The Disappearing Act 1987-1998

Sam Phillips

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 5, 2008)
• Original Release Date: August 5, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Raven [Australia]
• ASIN: B001BJ65Q2
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #90,056 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Raven presents the definitive overview of SAM PHILLIP'S decade-long dalliance with opulent Beatlesque pop in one sparkling package - The Disappearing Act 1987-1998. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, this 23-track, multi-label collection highlights the magnificence of her powerful voice, penetrating lyrics and gorgeous melodies. Former Christian Music recording artist Leslie Phillips released her final CM album The Turning (from which the first two tracks of this compilation are taken) in 1987 before changing her name to Sam and embarking on a secular career which produced a series of critically acclaimed albums, The Indescribable Wow (1988), Cruel Inventions (1991), Martinis & Bikinis (1994) and Omnipop (1996). With outstanding tracks such as 'What Do I Do', 'Lying', 'Where The Colors Don't Go', 'Strawberry Road', 'I Need Love' and featuring guest appearances by Elvis Costello, Van Dyke Parks, Marc Ribot, Jim Keltner and Peter Buck, this is the perfect primer for fans of beguiling pop. As Thom Jurek at All Music Guide has stated, "Phillips makes the kind of pop records that most musicians only dream of. She consistently writes intelligent words; combines them with delightful, often stunning melodies; and delivers them in an unusual, yet attractive voice - with unexpected surprises popping out of the mix at every turn." Phillips is perhaps best known for her contributions to the soundtrack from the smash hit TV series The Gilmore Girls. Superb quality audio, detailed liner notes, deluxe packaging.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phillips' "Hits" Has Expected Quality, and Quantity Too, August 22, 2008

By	Jack Shatter (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

It's ridiculous that the wonderful songs of the sublime Sam Phillips are
not world-famous when so much trivial junk IS. This magical artist writes
and records thoughtful music that is fun listening, supported by top
musicians and production by the tasteful T Bone Burnett. Sam's tunes
are often like Salvador Dali paintings-- intriguing soundscapes with
startling word images, like a striking and bizarre dream around 5 a.m.
She shares often disconcerting views of love relationships, and how our
inner world is often at odds with the indifferent outer reality. Most of
the time, there is a tender compassion (missing from her "Omnipop" tunes).

Raven Records of Australia (is she a star Down Under?) has grouped hits
from all Sam's albums made prior to her three lovely "intimate cabaret"
CDs on Nonesuch Records. The inner booklet provides a history of the
earlier albums, with phrases like "failure to achieve commercial success"
being lamentably repeated. Sam Phillips does not release long CDs or
play long concerts; what you get is short but sweet, quality mattering
more than quantity. But this disc has both, a whopping 78:29! If you
don't know Sam, I think this CD could be "the beginning of a beautiful
friendship!"

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply delightful, September 12, 2008

By	doctormanny (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

I absolutely loved this disc the first time that I heard it, which is not usual for me. I will be the first to admit that I don't have enough technical knowledge about music to explain what makes virtually all of the songs on the disc so thoroughtly enjoyable. However, I do know what I like, and I like this disc--a lot. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Those were the good years!, May 10, 2009

By	W. STEVENS (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great music from her virgin catalogue and such albums as The Indescribable Wow (1988), Cruel Inventions (1991), Martinis & Bikinis (1994) and Omnipop (1996). When Leslie Phillips ended her Christian singing career back in the late 80's she began a new career under nick name Sam. I was a fan of hers and had purchased all of her records and cassette tapes. As I heard she had sold hundreds of thousands of records as a contemporary Christian singer. I did not have any idea though that she had started making new records under Sam Phillips. I never seen them promoted, or in any record store. I found out years later by reading a review of one of her albums in Scene magazine (Cleveland). I read how she was saying her new music was not in any way commercial (meant to really sell), and that she felt betrayed by the Christian industry. It wasn't until YEARS later when the internet came along that i could listen and purchase these albums. And they are very good indeed, picking up where The Turning left off. But also covering new ground, intelligent lyrics, unique style, and Beatlesque style. Her virgin material is the best! I have to admit, I am not a big fan of her 2000 music since the switch to her new label and the stripped down tone of Fan Dance and subsequent releases. But this era with the release of The Turning and the Sam Phillips brand 88-96 was truly her BEST!