Description
Todd Phillips – Released – Vinyl Album
Todd Phillips’ Released (1982) is a solo album by the acclaimed American bluegrass and acoustic music artist Todd Phillips. Phillips is well-known for his skill as a bassist and mandolinist, having played with influential acts such as David Grisman and Tony Rice. On Released, Phillips steps into the spotlight with an instrumental album that highlights his talent for blending traditional bluegrass with more contemporary acoustic music styles, showcasing his virtuosic technique and creative arrangements.
Phillips was a founding member of the original David Grisman Quintet along with Tony Rice and Darol Anger, and spent five years with the group playing both rhythm mandolin and bass. Then he and Rice devoted the next five years to the Tony Rice Unit, and together with J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Bobby Hicks, and Jerry Douglas, devoloped the classic bluegrass recording group for Rounder Records: The Bluegrass Album Band, producing six volumes over fifteen years.
From that, Phillips has had the opportunity to work with a virtual ‘who’s who’ of acoustic music’s finest, such as Vassar Clements, Ricky Skaggs , Stephane Grapelli , Sam Bush, Richard Greene, Peter Rowan, Kate Wolf, Andy Narell, John Gorka , Paul McCandless , Taj Mahal, Stuart Duncan, Chris Thile, Mike Marshall, Alison Brown, Tim O’Brien, John Hartford, Del McCoury, and many more.
In 1983 Phillips received his first Grammy Award for his work with The New South (Crowe, Skaggs, Rice, Douglas), and he completed his critically-acclaimed first solo recording: Released (Varrick Records 011) featuring Tony Rice and Darol Anger. Through the 1980s, Frets Magazine readers voted Phillips five consecutive Readers Poll Awards for ‘Best Jazz’ and ‘Best Bluegrass Bassist’.
Released is firmly rooted in bluegrass, but Phillips pushes beyond traditional boundaries by incorporating elements of progressive acoustic music, often referred to as newgrass. The music is virtuosic, yet accessible, featuring intricate instrumental interplay between mandolin, guitar, bass, and fiddle. The album features no vocals, allowing Phillips and his collaborators to explore complex instrumental arrangements. His double bass playing is a focal point, anchoring the music while providing rhythmic and harmonic complexity. The album also emphasizes intricate mandolin picking and fast-paced fiddle tunes.
Released balances traditional bluegrass with more modern influences. Phillips is deeply respectful of bluegrass roots but is also interested in expanding the genre by introducing more contemporary elements, creating a fresh sound that’s still tied to tradition. Despite being an instrumental album, Released conveys a wide range of emotions, from joy and celebration to introspection and nostalgia. The instrumental focus allows each musician’s personality to shine through in the absence of lyrics.
Phillips’ bass playing is precise, melodic, and rhythmic, creating a solid foundation for the other instruments. His mandolin work is also showcased throughout the album, with quick, clean picking and intricate phrasing that demonstrate his technical mastery.
Phillips collaborated with top-notch bluegrass musicians for this album, likely including artists from his associations with David Grisman and Tony Rice. The ensemble playing is tight and dynamic, with each musician contributing to the album’s rich, layered sound.
Released during a period when many bluegrass musicians were exploring new sounds and pushing the boundaries of traditional bluegrass, Released fits within the broader context of the newgrass movement. Artists like Béla Fleck, Tony Rice, and Sam Bush were leading this charge, blending bluegrass with jazz, classical, and rock influences, and Phillips was very much a part of this evolving landscape.
Phillips’ approach to blending tradition with innovation has had a lasting influence on contemporary bluegrass and acoustic music. His work helped pave the way for future generations of musicians who continue to experiment with genre fusion in the acoustic music world.
Todd Phillips’ Released (1982) is a sophisticated and inventive instrumental album that showcases his talents as a bassist and mandolinist. Blending the precision and tradition of bluegrass with more progressive acoustic styles, the album stands out for its intricate musicianship and rich emotional range. Phillips’ ability to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation makes Released a significant work in the world of newgrass and contemporary acoustic music, cementing his reputation as a leading figure in the genre.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal with punch in jacket cover
Varrick Record Label 1984
With Tony Rice, Darol Anger, Jerry Douglas, John Reischman
Track Listing
Fat Kid
Nardis
Daniel’s Dream
Redhill
Ants
Alone
Released
T’s Please
Miles’ Mode
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