I must say, I love it when discs are re-released that have been out of the purview of individuals for years and years. “The Wolfking of L.A.” is one of these albums, as John Phillips with tracks like “April Anne” play a contemplative band of pop music that plays on styles of country, rock and a myriad other styles in its ultimate creation of a distinct style.
The use of slide guitars during “April Anne” would forecast a lot of the work of the alt country individuals that would rise to prominence over twenty years after this album came out. However laid back John Phillips style may be at points during this disc, there are times where ey allows eir guitars to shine. The warm sound of a track like “Topanga Canyon” is something that one would not expect from this period in music. There are just so many layers present during this and a score other tracks on this album. There should be little confusion in the mind of listeners why exactly this album is being trotted out; John Phillips is so much more impressive than anything that ey did with The Mamas and The Papas. Each track on this disc is something to sing along with, and each track on “John The Wolfking of L.A.” has something to give to the current state of music.
There might be a little fuzz at the edges of the recordings on tracks like “Malibu People”, but the bulk of the music and the instrumentation on the disc is not affected in the slightest. This disc also includes a number of bonus tracks (why exactly such an amazing album needed bonus tracks is beyond me) the round out the disc and allow individuals (such as the case of the single version of “Mississippi” to get an idea of how individuals from the period were able to hear Phillips on the radio. The use of second and third vocals throughout the disc, whether they be Phillips’ own or those provided by the Blossoms (the trio of female singers that make themselves known on a few tracks on this disc), give the disc a fullness that is further bolstered by the lively arrangements. The disc may have came out 35 years ago but it can still reach listeners today; hopefully this re-issue will allow new listeners to hear the allure of John Phillips in all eir glory.
Top Tracks: Drum, Down The Beach
Rating: 7.6/10
John Phillips – The Wolfking of L.A. / 2006 Papa John Phillips Presents / 18 Tracks / Reviewed 27 October 2006
[JMcQ]