Customer Reviews

Private Parts & Pieces 2

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From start to finish, Back to the Pavillion is, like the best of Anthony Phillip's work, an escape for the listener, a minor journey into enchanted whimsical realms. Although Geese and the Ghost (actually named after two sounds on a keyboard being used at the time) is typically considered his finest effort, PP&P 2 deserves similiar recognition, with this being among his most creative recordings (the playing is uniformally superior throughout Ant's body of music). One can dim the lights on a cool Fall evening, put this disc on, and find a very private and satisfying retreat into one's self. As is the case with Phillip's discs in general, there are hardly any 'stand-out' tracks, with others occupying a more secondary position within the contect of the album; rather, the recording functions more as a seamless whole, with each ensuing track taking the listener just a bit farther down the path traveled while enjoying the music. Along with 'Geese', this is a must have for those interested in Ant's work, as well as fans of early Genesis.

I think of PPP II as a continuation of PPP I (unlike the others in the PPP series). It is for the most part the same quality of material, with much instrumental acoustic tunes, but a little more electronic than the first. If you liked PPP I, you will probably like II.

In "Back To The Pavilion", certain themes from Ant's previous works are revisited. As "The Geese & The Ghost" has the six-part "Henry: Portraits From Tudor Times", this album begins with the five-part "Scottish Suite". School buddy Mike Rutherford plays bass on parts 1 ("Salmon Leap") and 4 ("Amorphous, Cadaverous, And Nebulous") of the suite. Also in the suite, the song "Reaper" (from the first "Private Parts & Pieces") resurfaces on parts 2 ("Parting Thistle") and 3 ("Electric Reaper"). "Lindsay" is simply a wonderful piano piece. I would describe "K2" as being a quiet ambient track. "Postlude: End Of The Season" is a short but sweet melody on acoustic guitar. I would also describe "Heavens" as having an ambient quality to it. Another wonderful acoustic melody in "Spring Meeting". "Romany's Aria" is a short, backwards piece. I could go on and on about each track on the album, but you'll probably fall asleep before you're finished reading this review! Ha ha ha! But all in all: absolutely brilliant. So if you enjoy listening to absolutely gorgeous music, I suggest you pick up "Back To The Pavilion" as soon as possible. You won't regret it!

Please note: this is a portion of the same review I gave for the "Two For One" set which also features "Private Parts & Pieces III: Antiques". Both albums are brilliant!

Ant left Genesis to go solo and up until Private Parts and Pieces 2, I wondered why. Though the album is wrought with an irritating abundance of acoustic work, there are some rather ambitious electric works as well. I found it to be a little thick but overall a step in the right direction. A little more of the heavy rock stuff would not have hurt this album as Phillips is really an amazing guitarist.