The Golden Pathway: Esoteric Continues Anthony Phillips Reissues with "1984" and More "Private Parts"

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON.COM

Cherry Red's Esoteric Recordings imprint has continued its definitive Anthony Phillips reissue series with two more deluxe titles by the artist/composer: 1981's concept album 1984 as a 2-CD/DVD-A edition, and Private Parts and Pieces V-VIII in a 5-CD set.

Not counting Phillips' Private Parts releases, 1984 followed his 1979 album Sides. Whereas Sides was produced by Rupert Hine with the aims of attracting a mainstream audience, 1984 was an instrumental affair containing just four tracks - two short bookends, and the lengthy "1984" Parts One and Two. Phillips played synthesizers, a drumbox, guitar and percussion. The only other musicians heard on the album are Richard Scott and Morris Pert, both of whom also contributed percussion and effects.

Phillips immersed himself in the soon-to-be-dominant synth sounds of the 1980s, drawing on his Polymoog and ARP 2600. Though inspired by George Orwell's famous novel, Phillips' 1984 tells its story entirely via instrumental music. Phillips' longtime progressive fans would have found much to appreciate in the two compositions at the heart of the album. Though lacking much in the way of traditional instrumentation, Phillips' sounds throughout these tracks are nonetheless varied and dynamic - the futuristic setting being conveyed effectively with the contemporary, often steely synths. Moods and tempos shift throughout Parts One and Two, from placid to action-packed. If the majestic music sometimes recalls a film score, it's likely not a coincidence; Phillips interrupted work on the album to score the ATV television series Rule Brittania. Part Two even adds some processed vocals, adding to the fullness of the arrangement. Of the two shorter pieces, the opening "Prelude '84" was conceived under the working title of "Instrumental Single," appropriate given its catchy, melodic nature. (Indeed, RCA released it as a single.) "Anthem 1984" began life as "Strings and Drums," and features electronic simulations of both in sweeping fashion.

Cherry Red's deluxe edition features three discs housed in a digipak. CD One has the original album in a new 2016 stereo mix by Simon Heyworth and Andy Miles, and CD Two replicates the bonus disc from the 2008 reissue on Voiceprint Records featuring "early stage mixes" of all four tracks, a demo of "Poly Piece," and a six-movement suite from Rule Brittania. The final disc, a DVD-A, has the album in high-resolution stereo and 5.1, both mixed by Heyward and Miles. The 5.1 surround option is the preferred way to experience 1984, as the sound envelops the listener in immersive fashion. The Heyworth/Miles team has also remastered all discs. A foldout poster and 16-page booklet with liner notes by Jonathan Dann and Phillips himself rounds out the package.

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON.COM

1984 has been joined by a clamshell box set of Private Parts and Pieces V-VIII. Last fall, Esoteric reissued the first four volumes of Private Parts and Pieces, plus bonus material, in a similar collection. The series began in 1978 drawing on Phillips' instrumental compositions written and recorded as far back as 1972, eventually encompassing both vault material and newly-recorded tracks. The new box picks up with 1985's Volume Five, consisting of twelve tracks (one named for each month of the year) recorded in 1984 and performed on solo 12-string guitar. The next volume arrived in 1986, culled from pieces written between 1971 and 1985 and recorded on solo piano in '85. Volume VI: Ivory Moon introduced a four-part suite, Sea-Dogs Motoring, as well as couple of songs from Phillips' aborted musical version of Kit Williams' book Masquerade. One of those would-be showtunes, "Moonfall," was written by Phillips in the mold of a big, Shirley Bassey-esque ballad. A solo version of Genesis' "Let Us Now Make Love" was included on the 1991 CD premiere of the album, and it's been retained here.

Private Parts and Pieces VII: Slow Waves, Soft Stars departed from the previous two sets' single instrumentation. Phillips played synthesizer, guitar and percussion on the 18-track collection which premiered a five-part suite entitled "Ice Flight" and also drew on his soundtrack to the televised play God's Chosen Car Park for "The Golden Pathway." Released in 1987, Slow Waves, Soft Stars fit comfortably into the burgeoning New Age genre and earned Phillips a whole new audience. The next title in the series, Private Parts and Pieces VIII: New England, didn't arrive until 1992. The album was conceived as a complement to a reissue campaign of his solo work for Virgin Records, and would feature newly-recorded material. The first album in the series to be recorded on 16 tracks, it featured guest musicians such as Martin Robinson (saxophone and African drums), Simon Morris (cello), Paul Clarvis (percussion) and Joji Hirota (percussion) to create its expansive sound. Phillips even departed from the strictly-instrumental field to include a couple of vocal tracks, "Sanctuary" and "Unheard Cry." His imaginative, extended writing led to two more suites premiering, "New England Suite" and "Pieces of Eight."

Esoteric's box set adds Private Parts and Extra Pieces, a fifth CD of 19 previously unreleased tracks and variations on material heard on these volumes. All tracks were recorded between 1980 and 1991. These open a window on the prolific Phillips' creative process via demos, alternate mixes, and outtakes including "Sir Isaac," another track written for the Masquerade musical. A handsomely-designed 24-page booklet with comprehensive liner notes rounds out this classy package. James Collins has remastered all discs which are housed in mini-LP replica sleeves.

Two testaments to the musical curiosity and ample imagination of Anthony Phillips, 1984 and Private Parts and Pieces V-VIII are available now from Cherry Red's Esoteric Recordings imprint. You can order them at the links below!

Anthony Phillips, 1984 (RCA (U.K.) LP 5036, 1981 - reissued Esoteric/Cherry Red ECLEC32550, 2016) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

CD 1: New Stereo Mix