Customer Reviews

Transcendence

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I don't actually consider this my favorite Shawn Phillips album musically-- I have favorite bits and pieces from a number of different albums, and "Rumplestiltskin's Resolve" (which is currently out of print) is probably my favorite complete album of Shawn's overall. But this one does hold a very special place for me. Not only is it a beautiful album in its own right, but (at the risk of sounding melodramatic), it may have saved my sanity one night back in 1979-- if not conceivably my life (though I'll always want to believe that I wouldn't have resorted to that).

It was a really difficult time for me. A failed business venture (due to a dishonest business partner and my own naive, overly trusting nature at the time), a depleted savings account, mounting bills, rent overdue, a lease I couldn't break, wolves at the door, and a general, overwhelming sense of desperation, all compounded by the empty loneliness of a lack of female companionship (or any companionship-- I was many miles from family and friends). One evening, while sitting in the dark in a really serious funk, wondering how the hell I was ever going to get out of the mess I was in... something told me to put on this album. I had played it many times before, of course. But somehow, this time was different. When it started, I was feeling as low as I had ever felt in my life. Less than an hour later, when the stylus tracked away from the final cut "Ease Your Mind", I found that I had an incredible sense of peace and serenity, and-- what was this?-- optimism! My entire mindset had changed. For the first time in many weeks, I suddenly felt that everything was going to be alright. It sounds corny, but had I not chosen (or did I really choose?) to listen to "Transcendence" that night, I really can't say where I might be today.

I will forever owe you a sincere debt of appreciation, Shawn, for whatever magic it was that you and your music wove for me that evening. I know, without question, that it changed my life. And if that sounds corny and melodramatic, so be it.

I had a old LP of this recording. I got this because I had been blown off by his masterpiece, Second contribution. Just try Julia's letters. You will be surprised. Strongly recommended. BTW, did he know he looked like Jesus?