Canadian musician Philip Sayce, known for his brand of powerhouse blues, has begun a journey across Canada commemorating the launch of his fourth upcoming album, Influence, which will be released in Canada April 7, 2015 through Warner Music Canada. Although previously out in Europe and already garnering rave reviews, Canadian audiences will look forward to a deluxe edition which includes two additional tracks produced by Michael Nielsen, “On The Road Again”, and “I’d Love To Change The World”, which has been released as a single and receiving massive airplay. The album features a balance of several original compositions as well as creative takes on Sayce’s classic favourites. And as the name implies, an array of influences from guitar masters that have resonated with him, shine through in his brilliant playing style.
Philip Sayce grew up in Toronto listening to a wealth of music his parents would spin on the turntable, including guitar greats like Clapton, Hendrix, and Albert King. When he heard Stevie Ray Vaughan’s, In Step album for the first time, he remembers being mesmerized by his cutting tones and impactful style. Then at age 11, he attended his first concert featuring Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler at Toronto‘s Maple Leaf Gardens. It shook him to the core. There was something about the unbridled release of passion expressed through the guitar that deeply moved him, and he set out to create his own fire. By the age of 16, he was playing the club circuit and attending many of the city’s jam night sessions. His big break came when he met Jeff Healey, who he had the opportunity to play with onstage at a live venue one fateful night.
“Jeff got up and played bass…I was freaked out to be playing on the same stage with him. Later, he said he was touring and would I like to join his band. It happened just like that. He groomed me to be a performer on the road and I learned so much from the experience. Jeff was always giving of himself to other artists that way. So instead of going to college or university, I went to the ‘University of Jeff Healey‘. I watched how he would channel the power going through him. There was one extraordinary night during his performance of “Angel Eyes“ that he played so open…very few people get to that place.”
Sayce would go on to join forces with Melissa Etheridge for a number of years, to tour and lend his playing skills to much of her recorded work. These formative years proved to be the training ground which would mold him into the artist he would become. His first solo effort, Peace Machine (2005), exploded onto the European market with rave reviews. His honed style through his experience, influences, and effort are evident in the music which jumps out with a passionate force and variety of classic and modern flavours and textures. These common denominators are certainly present in his current album, although there exists an even more soul-bearing edge in Sayce’s guitar playing and singing. Beefed up with plenty of ground shaking funk, raw and soulful vocals, superb piano/organ work by Fred Mandel (who also appears in Peace Machine), and a vintage atmospheric tone throughout, brought out by the incomparable mixer/engineer skills of Vance Powell, make Influence a unique masterpiece of classic-meets-modern Blues.
Philip Sayce (far left) with Joel Gottschalk (bass) and Jimmy Paxson (drums).
Thursday night’s show at The Rainbow left the crowd awestruck. Sayce played a selection of songs from his new album, as well as some standout pieces from his earlier work. “Powerful Thing”, (Peace Machine), was a driving force of funk/blues that instantly blew the roof off the packed house. Along with his blistering guitar riffs, Sayce’s very Kravitz-like vocals illuminated the music with straight-from-the-gut soul power. Completing the picture, were renowned musicians, Jimmy Paxson on drums, and bassist Joel Gottschalk, both whose masterful skills and intensity brought every tune into immenseness.
Sayce thanked the crowd and introduced his new CD before the band delved into the Ten Years After classic, “I’d Love To Change The World”. I loved the more rocked up feel, the more pronounced rhythm, and incredible guitar work where he channelled off into pure psychedelia. Another from the album, the blues classic, “Blues Ain’t Nothin’ But A Good Woman On Your Mind”, was laced with the unmistakable untamed style reminiscent of the late, great, Jeff Healey. “Out Of My Mind”, an original, was undoubtedly in tribute to legendary Jimi Hendrix, with its similar pace of “Let Me Stand Next To Your Fire”. I loved its vibrant intensity, and especially Sayce’s strong and sexy vocals.
“Aberystwyth” (Steamroller – 2012), a very textured instrumental piece named after the Welsh coastal town where he was born, was a slow, smouldering blues number, heavy with influences of Robert Cray and Jeff Beck. There were nuances that ranged from sultry tones, beautiful bending notes, and tender sustains, into a blaze of heaviness that brought the audience to a swell of generous applause…one of my favourite performances of the night. Another from the same album, “Beautiful”, offered substantial contrast with its steady funky flavour.
During the encore Sayce played his rendition of Canned Heat’s, “On The Road Again”, featured on the new album. At one point, while the bass and drums held down the rhythm, Sayce zoned out into a feverish solo, then brought it down to a minimal level…an amazing contrast of tones and textures. Finally, the band capped off the night with a full out jam, which travelled through freight train proportions into a very funky segment of “Miss You”, then finally amplified into a high energy finale, complete with bass/drums going full tilt, and a mess of broken guitar strings by the end.
Philip Sayce‘s outstanding ability to convey his passions through his well-rounded style of playing shows what an old soul he truly is. Influence is not only a tribute to some of Sayce’s guitar mentors, but also tells a story of the journey of healing from the perils of the music industry.
“It’s been a refreshing experience… I’m extremely fortunate to have worked with some of the best people/musicians in the business. With this album, I want to make sure the music resonates and inspires people to do what they love. It’s important to make room in your life to just be free.”
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