It’s not as much of a journey from religious music to Jerry Lee Lewis and the Die Hard movie franchise as you might think. For someone who began her recording career as a Christian artist, Sam Phillips has had a very secular professional life. Born Leslie Ann Phillips in 1962, she cut her last album of religious music, produced by future husband T Bone Burnett, in 1987. (Phillips and Burnett divorced in 2004.) Phillips then jumped ship to the Virgin label in 1989 and began recording albums of thoughtful-yet-stirring music to document her new life as Sam Phillips. Critics’ fave Fan Dance, her 2001 debut record for Nonesuch Records, featured lovely string arrangements by the legendary Van Dyke Parks. Phillips is currently in the middle of a year-long multimedia project called Long Play and also has a tune placed in Oscar-contending film Crazy Heart with Jeff Bridges. In addition, Phillips will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our Q&A with her.
Phillips: These three American Folk Blues Festival DVDs, along with The Johnny Cash Show and the old Playboy After Dark series, were staples on our tour bus. In volume three, you will see a gentleman play harmonica with his nose—amazing! Video after the jump.
One reply on “Sam Phillips’ Fan Dance: “The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1969” DVDs”
Sam, just added these to the Netflix queue — thanks for the recommendation! Another great one is “Desperate Man Blues” — the Son House and John Lee Hooker bonus footage is wonderful. I’ve enjoyed your stint as guest editor.