There are many wonderful album releases that arrive unheralded by the the print and broadcast media. And it’s usually only by chance that one finds them. I was preparing for my Sunday radio show and clicked onto a Phil Campbell record on Amazon only to find a new release not received by us for review. Now for most other acts it wouldn’t bother me, but we have a special affiliation with Campbell dating back to the release of his classic record FRESH NEW LIFE back in 1997 ( playing a couple of tracks off the record this Sunday). Campbell is a Scottish singer/songwriter and in my view one of the UK’s very best. He’s had a turbulent career starting with his debut album and relationship with EMI which ended in Campbell’s intimate relationship with drugs and drink, and a job at some record shop. He then ’saw the light’ and restarted his career with his new band White Buffalo. Two fabulous albums ensued, produced on the tightest of budgets. The band then broke up with Phil recommencing his solo career in and around the London area, gathering many devoted fans in the process. He then teamed up (again) with Clive Black, released a new album and was featured in The Sunday Times. I lost track again but on checking with his MySpace page found that after many years living and working in London he’s gone back home to Scotland, leaving behind the most wonderful and introspective of records, DADDY’S TABLE.

I don’t buy many CDs as they usually arrive for review through my letterbox, but on this occasion I drove immediately the ten miles to HMV in Chester to make sure I had a copy to review. Hell, I even played it in my car on the way home - I couldn’t wait… Knowing the man’s history, I have to admit that I was both worried and moved as I listened. For Campbell, it seems that music is not only his passion but a means of channelling his most intimate emotions and experiences, and cleansing his soul. It’s his most introspective, stripped-down record to-date and comes with the sleeve acknowledgement, “Richard - It’s been emotional. Peace x.”

‘Wrecking Ball Nights’ is a fast-paced, acoustic song that reveals much: “I keep breaking contracts with my indecision…can early warnings that I keep ignoring…but I just keep going ‘cos I need to do this there’s no room for weakness….my heart is breaking for the plans we made, I don’t know if I’m alive or I don’t know if I’m dead…” This is true heart-breaking introspection driven by Campbell’s instinctive sense of melody that dominates all his recordings. Something has happened; it’s on his sleeve and in his heart… ‘Cried Some Diamonds’ opens with soaring, lyrical harmonica until guitar and the most emotional vocal arrives. There’s an alt-country feel to a song that describes love and loss, and the question is posed, ”Baby when are you coming home?” It’s sadness personified and anyone who hears this and isn’t touched must be made of granite. It’s intensely moving and utterly beautiful.

‘Trespassing’ underlines the previous message: “The ghost of you and me…” The song is an album highlight with its sensative, wandering ambience; wonderful melody; simple instrumental arrangement and the most expressive, heartbreaking vocal. ‘For The Boozers And The Losers’ goes upbeat with a more optimistic message of salvation driven by pounding guitar strings, more aggressive vocal, flashing piano notes and strong country-rock vibe. ‘Lend Me Your Wings’ is a superb country narrative underpinned by a powerful melody, wandering piano and perfectly judged Campbell vocal. ‘My Wee Soul’ is another standout track with its soulful, ghostly ambience, repeated piano refrain and the most delicate vocal.

‘Gone’ is another heartbreaker with Campbell’s voice given more space to dominate the track. ‘Closer’ is a delicate, gentle standout track which this time includes a mournful hummed vocal harmony and fabulous backing vocals. The message is moving beyond words as Campbell describes being “Closer than I’ve ever felt.” The album closes with bittersweet, speeding-bullet, country-rocker ‘A Wild River Runs.’  It’s a glorious, driving end to an album heavily tinged with sadness but with tangible signs of light at the end of a dark tunnel (there’s even some laughter at the end of this track…).

With this album Phil Campbell seems to be closing another eventful chapter of his life; there’s a distinct feeling of a cleansing process taking place. He remains one of the world’s great singer/songwriters and a musical treasure still to be discovered by so many here in the UK.

4.5/5