Philip Sayce – Live – Oran Mor

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Review by Darren McIntyre Photos By Scott Anderson

Philip Sayce is a Welsh born, American / Canadian guitarist / singer / songwriter / producer / performer originally from Aberystwyth, Wales but moved to Canada when he was 2yrs old. Philip has been active since 1990 and counts Jimi Hendrix & Stevie Ray Vaughan amongst his influences, he began playing in Toronto clubs aged 16 and quickly became a fixture on the Toronto music scene, Philip jammed with the likes of Robbie Robertson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bob Dylan & Jeff Tealey. Philip joined Healey’s band in 1997 and toured the world for 3 1/2 years before making the decision to go solo which has seen him support the likes of ZZ Top, Deep Purple. Philip has given us 9 solo albums, 5 with Healey, Etheridge, Barnes & Wilson respectively. Philip is hitting the road to promote his new record The Wolves Are Coming and tonight he rolls into Glasgow’s famous Oran Mor so get ready for the roof to be taken clean off as we await the arrival of this guitar shredding maestro, the house PA is bringing us some cool sounds before the lights dim and Philip walks onto the hallowed stage and hits us with –

Out Of My Mind – Philip asks us are we ready before he goes into a trance like state and shreds the living hell out of his guitat to get this monster track off the ground. The track bursts into life as the rhythm section brings cool cymbal taps as a solis snare drum punch fills the air as the bass kicks lets this beast rear it’s head, bassline is dropping dark, meaty funk grooves that really give this track some depth as the place instantly feels the heat from this sublime musician as he rocks and rolls with the fine folk of Glasgow tonight. The crowd are getting in on the act as they clap along and really let this guy know that they are ready as the track changes tempo as a real sludgy dark riff surrounds us as the boys join in and really give this track swagger and bags of groove, the place is watching this guitar maestro do his thing as the rhythm section brings the heat as the track starts to bubble and the heat intensifies with the sheer musicality that is pouring from the stage tonight, this is a cool way to kick of a night of blues rock that is already shaking Glasgow to it’s very foundations, Philip bellows oot thank you Glasgow and it’s so nice to be back here rocking with you all, up next comes –

Bitter Monday – A punchy bass / snare drum kick rings out as the track comes hurtling towards us as a slick, clean guitar lick pours from the stage and the boys get all up in our faces with a real crunching beast. Philip lets his soulful bluesy vocals lead the way as this fist pumping, foot stomping rock n roller crashes the party as we get our groove on, the funking bass line is hitting us with a real dark, delicious tone that wraps itself around us tonight as we feel the energy rising in Glasgow tonight. The boys look like they are really enjoying themselves as they deliver a slick, clean arrangement that is steeped in the colossal shredding tones as Philip cuts loose and really brings the heat tonight, the tempo again is slowed as the groove slows to a real blues filled lick that just takes to to another place as we feel the swagger, attitude and groove come for us with this incredible piece of music. Philip is just giving us a masterclass in blues with a twist that has real gutsy drum rolls and a killer bassline all rolled into one, up next –

Steamroller / Powerful Thing – Philip tuned up his ol lady before he slips into a cool guitar lick that gets us all hot and bothered as we watch in silence as he sets this track on the road. The soulful vocal tones roll through the venue as this cool track comes to life before a change in direction lets the shredding chords rear their head as this punchy beast kicks in the doors and just gives it to us straight, the boys are drilling down and hitting us with a real sludgy bassline that is delivering a soulful groove as the rhythm section comes in with a real solid snare drum beat that welcomes cymbal snaps that are rounded off with a killer bass kick that just lets this awesome arrangement wrap itself around us. The place is buzzing as Philip leans in with cool vocals that have a little Lenny Kravitz about them which is not bad company to be in, the killer licks are filling every corner of this cool venue as the boys roll into –

Blues Ain’t Nothing But A Good Woman On Your Mind – Philip chats to us and tells us about this track and how they wanted to record it as he steps back gathers himself and the boys chime in with a real funky groove that brings sizzling bassline chops that are backed up with a punchy rhythm section that brings a real cool beat to the proceedings. Philip lends his vocals to really lift this blues soaked monster as he comes to the front of the stage and drops the anchor with slick. crisp, blues soaked licks that is whipping this place into a frenzy as we feel the energy oozing from the stage as the boys just cut loose and deliver a real gutsy rock n roll drenched track that is just building and building as we feel the groove raining down on us as the boys bring the heat to Glasgow tonight. This has been a real treat for me as I missed out seeing this guy last time but I can tell you it was well worth the wait as we are salivating just watching this guy put us thrpugh our paces and then some, we stroll into –

Aberystwyth – (Muddy Waters Intro) – A slick sizzling guitar riff fills the air as Philip shreds on the front of the stage as we watch open mouthed with sheer joy etched on our faces. The playing is just incredible as he leads us into soulful blues soaked vocals that just elevate this monster track to the next level as we feel the energy explode with ease as the musicality comes at us like a juggernaut, the guitar playing is just something special as it instantly puts you at ease as we watch the guys bring the groove to us tonight. The sultry bassline is wrapping itself around the incredible guitar licks that are erupting from the stage tonight as the full on bassline hits us with dark, moody grooves that compliment this incredible track perfectly, we are surrounded by killer musicians that are at the top of their game as they slay this track with precision and give it incredible depth. The place is rocking right now as Philip is slaying it with his incredible playing that just kicks ass and then some, the cool licks are filling every corner of the venue and really lifting the gig to another level for sure, we roll into –

Lady Love Divine – Philip shamelessly tells us that they have some merch for sale so please go but it before he tells us that he wrote this track with the fantastic Richard Marx. The rhythm section kicks in with a real funky bass kick and cymbal crash that really gets us on the move as we stamp our feet to this funky guitar laden groover that is building and building with every note, the vocals are deep, groovy and have depth that allows this track to open and flow with ease as a killer bassline drops in and just allows the track to breathe. The sweet, clean guitar licks are insane as we watch with ease as the boys deliver a real funky, kick ass track that really pops as Philip steps forward and gives us a real slick, clean guitar salvo that is telling us that Philip and the boys are pleased to be here with us tonight as the punchy rhythm section drives this grooving beast onwards, the place erupts in a hail of applause as we move onto –

She’s The Music – Philip tells us that he wrote this track for his wife as it’s the first thing he thinks about when he wakes up in the morning. The rhythm section erupts from the back of the room as we get a pounding bass / snare drum combo that is joined by cymbal crashes that really give this track attitude and depth as we watch in awe as this guy just drops the hammer and brings us along for the ride, the funking bassline is hitting us with sweet soulful grooves that really let this track build. The vocals are strong, intense and really funky as the track delivers a fresh, full on beat that is on the money for sure, the track is a short, sharp groover that captures Philip and the boys perfectly as we really dig the cut of his gib, up next –

This Is Hip(John Lee Hooker) – A sweet clean guitar lick gets this rocking groover off the ground as Philip brings his cool vocals that work well with the foot stomping beat that is rolling through Oran Mor tonight. The groove is intense as the rhythm section comes at us armed with a cool snare drum beat as a full on bassline drops colossal smooth, delicious grooves that really let this track sing, we are being treated to a real masterclass in blues tonight as the boys bring a real killer funk tone to us that just has us hooked throughout. The guitar work is just sublime as we feel the energy pouring from the stage as Philip comes at us armed and dangerous as the place brings the tempo and then some, we roll into –

Beautiful – Philip again tells us that this is another track that he wrote for his wife which brings a huge cheer from the crowd as we rock into a frenzied guitar riff that really dets the tone. The punchy snare drum / bass kick beat is letting the track unfold as a meaty bassline drops killer grooves that really give this track a punchy swagger that is just incredible, the guitar licks take over as Philip rips into us with a real dark, sludgy guitar lick that brings cymbal taps that really balance out this awesome piece of music. His vocals are smooth, soulful and have bags of groove as we stroll into the business end of the show with a real beast of a track that really tells us what this guy is all about –

Morning Star – We are getting to grips with Philip as he gives it ton us both barrels with a real grooving beast that brings a sultry bassline that wraps itself around this incredible piece of music that is getting us all hot and sweaty under the collar. The rhythm section is pounding away from the back of the room as Bryan brings the heat in this awesome groover track that has colossal blues vocals that just fit the arrangement perfectly, the musicianship is just insane as Philip brings us a little flight of the bumblebee mid track as he shreds like their is no tomorrow. We reach the end of the night and Philip and the boys appear from side stage to deliver the last track of the evening in the form of –

Going Home -The pounding rhythm section hits us with a thundering bass kick that brings snare drum beats that are finished with awesome cymbal crashes that really get this place moving. The vocals are smooth, soulful and strong as the boys deliver a rousing beast of a track that drops epic bassline grooves that work so well in this killer track that just tells us that this guy is the real deal, the guitar work is exceptional as we watch with real joy etched on our faces as this guy just shreds with ease and then some. The boys are really bringing everything to us tonight as we applaude with all we have as the boys bring down the curtain on this fantastic night of killer blues that are infused with rock n roll beats and some sweet cool ballad style rocker tracks.

Philip Sayce –

Philip Sayce – Guitar / Vocals

Sam Bolle – Bass / BV

Bryan Head – Drums / BV

Setlist –

Out Of My Mind

Bitter Monday

Steamroller / Powerful Thing

Blues Ain’t Nothing But A Good Woman On Your Mind

Aberystwyth

Lady Love Divine

She’s The Music