Search - John Phillips :: Pay Pack & Follow

They don't make 'em like this anymore

Tod C. Armstrong | Rohnert Park, CA United States | 07/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stones fans should dig in. And, as another reviewer mentioned, give it some time (a few listens). John's voice is spectacular, and Keith's unmistakeable presence is felt throughout. A couple of nice Taylor solos to boot (no pun intended). The heartfelt closer - 2001 - is pretty ironic, given the year this finally made it out of the closet. Keith's riffing on this recalls some classic mid-tempo Stones tunes - Beast of Burden, Waiting on a Friend. A great listen all-around and one that is sure to pass the time test - I guess it already has!"

Stlli Creaquin'

Robert Scott Tucker | Wilton, CT United States | 04/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Phillips long awaited release is (despite his recent sad pasing) a time for celebrating a collection of transcendent brilliance: from John's stirring lyrics and singing, to Keith's sinful licks on guitar, capped my Mick's engaging if sometimes intrusive background vocals, John has put together (via technology) an album worthy of not only your final collection but your cd player this summer: at full volume--especially on tracks "Oh,Virginia" and "Just 14." Nostaligia, maybe, but you will be decieved into thinking I heard this song 25 years ago...and, yes, you will hear some of those echoing chords of yesteryear...There is something special in the air on a few of these tracks, and that, in and of itself, is worth the purchase...you will be asking for more volume from your system on more than one occasion, and wishing that more "basement tapes" of John and the Stones had been found."

Mining those Nuggets

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 01/13/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Pay Pack & Follow" was recorded from 1973-1979 and produced by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. While this is not a lost Rolling Stones record any more than it is a lost Mamas & the Papas record, it a worthwhile mix of sounds that fans of both bands will find interesting. Phillips was always a bit enigmatic, the creative recluse whose writing projected him into the spotlight, but who was comfortable to share the limelight. "Mr. Blue" cooks with Richards' engaging guitar and Richards & Jagger backing up with vocals. "She's Just 14" is bluesy track about a worldly teen. "Each kiss is a sigh; each sigh lifts me right off the ground" John sings on "Wilderness of Love" that has a nice chorus. "Backstage at the ballet it's a bore; I cannot give the ladies anymore," John sings on the Stonesy ballad "Oh Virginia." One of the best songs is "Sunset Boulevard" with its folky melody and lyrical complexity. "Pussycat" doesn't work so well for me, a song with a schmaltzy melody about a guy who likes girls from a strip club. "Zulu Warrior" is a great rocker with a somewhat self-conscious lyric about the "African giant." "Dread ain't nothing to smile about," John sings on "Very Dread" with Chris Spedding's great guitar work. The CD concludes ironically with "2001," written 24 years earlier as a distant look into the future wishing that all loved ones would still be with us, being the year John Phillips passed from us. The songwriting is not uniformly good, but the performances are excellent on this wonderful timepiece. Enjoy!"