Virginia Creeper

Grant-Lee Phillips

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2004)
• Original Release Date: February 24, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zoe Records
• ASIN: B00019JQ1Y
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,054 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
With his third solo release since dissolving Grant Lee Buffalo, one of roots rock's great also-rans, Phillips relishes the relative advantages of the singer-songwriter style. He sketches characters with nuance, tosses off epigrammatic love songs, dives into painterly rural reveries, traces an obscure Southern myth while banging on a banjo, and offers bittersweet praise to friendship. His voice and melodic knack are all the continuity he needs. That voice, a grainy croon distilled from blue-eyed soul and California country cool, remains a prime attraction. If the tasteful, lissome country-folk backing of steel guitar, fiddle, piano, drums, and harmony vocals from Cindy Wasserman is a tad shy of adventurous, the sound suits the ripe, romantic, and dreamy mood of Phillips's songs. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Grant Lee Creeps towards long overdue success, May 3, 2004

By	S Hanes "stephenhanes" (Penrith, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Rewind to 1992. Grunge was exploding, Jack Johnson was an up and coming surfer, and John Mayer was worrying about puberty while Grant Lee Phillips quietly released "Fuzzy", a near perfect debut album with the quasi-legendary Grant Lee Buffalo. Four star reviews and blistering live sets followed but commercial success would allude the mighty Buffalo.
The masterpiece "Mighty joe Moon" followed to lukewarm commercial results and yet more four+ star reviews.
By the time "Jubilee" had hit the bargain bin and GLB was no more, America had yawned through four outstanding releases from Grant Lee Phillips and band. Grant retreated to the basement and released the understated solo gem "Ladies love oracle" yet another quiet masterpiece to add to the catalogue. The electro-pop experiment "Mobilize" followed, bringing us here to 2004.

"Virginia Creeper" is Grant's third solo album and for the diehard Grant Lee fans the question is not "Will it be good"? but "Will it sell"? In a time where every babyfaced singer songwriter with a push from the record company sells a million records, we can only shake our heads and wonder whether America will let its criminally unknown national treasure slip into obscurity or be finally showered with long overdue commercial success. Rounder records should be able to showcase Grant Lee's talents to a new set of fans outside of the usual alt/rock crowd and to appreciators of...um...country music.
Grant Lee has always defied Genres, and he does not deserve to be thrown into the glad bag of alt/country contendors because Virginia Creeper should appeal to appreciators of all music, whether it be the harder edges of Grant Lee Buffalo or the bluegrass artists featured on Rounder.

The truth of the matter is Grant Lee's voice and a weeping pedal steel are a match made in heaven. While initially I was down on the idea of a Grant Lee "country" album, he has only succeeded in revitilising what has become a stale and stagnant genre.
The Banjo, fiddle and pedal steel have been featured on previous albums notably Mighty Joe Moon where traditional instruments were used to play not-so-traditional melodies but with "virginia creeper" we find that simplicity can indeed work gloriously.

90 seconds into the gorgeous opener "Mona Lisa" we know we are not dealing with your average run-of-the-mill singer songwriter. Grant gets more depth in each turn of phrase then anyone Ive ever heard. Combined with ethereal vocals and an aching melody we have yet another nugget of Grant Lee gold to start off Virginia Creeper on.
The album evokes shades of "Copperopolis" melodically before heading into the irresistable "Lily-a-passion". Now I of course have no idea idea what a "lily-a-passion" is but ill be tapping my foot along in the meantime. Also, I never thought Id hear Grant croon the lyric "She is a piratey soul" but then again I never thought Id hear "Damn this floor is thumping" before I got Mobilize.
Its hard to pick a weak moment on "virginia creeper" "Susanna Little" grated a little at first but now its one of my favourite songs. Another highlight is "Josephine of the swamps" which could be mistaken for a long lost Grant Lee Buffalo gem.

A few reviewers have noted Grant's incredible voice, but longtime fans are in no need of convincing in that department. The thing that stands out to me on the album is Grant's production. Some of the hooks on "Virginia Creeper" are so juicy Grant could be forgiven for pounding them into the heads of a potential radio audience. But to the contrary, the hallmark of virginia Creeper is confident restraint, the production is gloriously subtle with the result of the album seeping into the skin, growing stronger on each listen instead of grating.

Finally the closing cover of Parsons' "hickory wind" could quite possibly be the most beatiful "country" song ever recorded, Ive certainly got a tear in my beer. Absolutely sublime

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best release of 2004 thus far..., May 19, 2004

By	Slu (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

I too am an old time GLB fan, but Grant's previous solo records have been nothing more than passing interests for me. This record is different. It has been in my CD player non stop since I got it. In fact I am listening to it while I write this review. It has a nice mood througout the entire record. "Mona Lisa" is a great song and a great start to the record.

People are right when they say it does not compare to a GLB record, but I think almost all the songs sound like GLB songs. None of these songs, individually, would song out of place on a GLB record (except maybe Jubilee), but it is the mood of the whole album that make it different and special.

I gave up on the hope that Grant will finally be noticed by the mainstream a long time ago. Who cares? Be greatful that Grant is still putting out new music that we can all enjoy. Turn your friends on to his music and go see Grant live. It is really amazing. I envy you L.A. folks that get to see Grant @ Largo often. Check out his tour dates on his web page. He plays smaller clubs and tix are not that much, so get out to see him.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Grant Lee Phillips's Latest Beauty (4.5 stars), July 21, 2004

By	Juan Mobili (Valley Cottage, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

That Grant Lee Phillips' solo output has not reached the same legendary indie status of his former band, Grant Lee Buffalo, more than a mystery it's a crime.
"Virginia Creeper," his third solo album, may not be as breathtaking as the hushed "Ladies Love's Oracle" nor as adventurous as "Mobilize," but it is worthy of their company.
Phillips is a remarkable songwriter, capable of the utmost intimacy at the drop of a hat, at ease with creating melodies that, before you know it, can give your thoughts its proper music.
The spare accompaniment here is flawless, mainly gorgeous violin and his acoustic guitar, subtle drums and tasteful piano, and some mandolin and steel guitar which tinge most tunes with Country overtones without lacking a Pop sensibility. Tunes like "Making Memory," "Mona Lisa" or "Always Friends" have exquisite arrangements and remind you of what a great singer Phillips is.
In total, this is an album without low points, more likely the kind where everyone may end up with different new favorites.