Annual website update February 1, 2017
Following up on Phil Marshall's album, Scatterbed :
Jeff Spevak wrote in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, dated December 21, 2016:
"my pick for Best Local Album of 2016 is Phil Marshall’s Scatterbed. As I wrote when he released the thing way back in January:
The heaviest inspiration here is clearly Marshall’s work as a music therapist with the elderly. Many of them with their minds receding into the mist, where music is often the only way to call them back to this world, even if it’s the half fantasy of “Shirley Jane” and visions of Big Bill Broonzy and, “She shared her wine with Miss Valentine.”
It is sad. “Grief walks in and sits across from you, grief doesn’t ask about your day,” Marshall sings. “I’ve been looking for a place to stay.” If you’ve ever watched, unsure as to what to do, as a loved one slipped away, you’ll have a tough time getting through “Scatterbed” as, in “Ebb and Flow,” Marshall poses the question, “Would the rain forgive the clouds for finally letting go?”
This veteran guitarist of the local scene has played in many bands over the years, most notably The Colorblind James Experience. He seems to be drawing a parallel with the death of those bands and the natural path of life: “Here’s hoping that the leaving’s easy when it’s time to go.” And the playing is beautiful, at times you’ll think of The Beatles at their most lyrically restful moments. Yes, a hard call as usual, but this is Rochester’s Best Local Album of 2016".
Scatterbed update January 29, 2016:
Phil Marshall's album, Scatterbed, has been officially released! You can purchase or check out sound clips of the songs here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/philmarshall32. CD release party is Feb 6, 2016 at Abilene [http://www.abilenebarandlounge.com] in Rochester NY.
Hello and Happy 2016
January 11, 2016
Greetings and hello! It’s that time when your pal, the Squire, does the annual site update. This past year was spent putting on final touches and tidying up a new album, Scatterbed, for my dear friend Phil Marshall. I had the immense pleasure of co-producing and contributed some singing and playing, without all the heavy lifting of writing the material. It was a beautiful journey into the unknown. Neither of us had preconceived visions of where we were going. The album will be officially released on 1/19/16. Since it’s so new, I don’t yet have a link for it. Scatterbed will be available at CD Baby, and as soon as it’s ready, I’ll update you with the particulars on ordering. Oh and yes, there is more Squires of the Subterrain music being being mangled and molded into song form. Here’s to an exciting start to the new year. Hope it’s a good one for you too!
