Artist:     Phil Madeira

Album:     Providence

Label:     Mercyland

Release Date:     04.06.2018

94

BUY DIGITAL

BUY PHYSICAL

Providence is clear evidence that the music business, like anything, thrives on inequities. This album and its artist for the most part arrive as welcome surprises, whereas in a just world, Phil Madeira would be a star.

Upon his landing in Nashville in 1983 from his Rhode Island birthplace, Madeira got right to work releasing a string of critically acclaimed albums; placing his songs with others like Alison Krauss and The Civil Wars; producing a diverse range of entertainers from Keb’ ‘Mo to The Band Perry; working as a session player; and for the last ten years performing as a member of Emmylou Harris’s Red Dirt Boys.

In its meaning as destiny, the word providence may finally portend fame for Mr. Madeira, because Providence the album is just plain stunning. Airy and full of passion, it features, in addition to Madeira on piano and vocals, Red Dirt Boys Chris Donohue on upright bass and Bryan Owings on drums. An assortment of guitarists and horn players take turns filling out the jazzy, New Orleans-spiced settings. All the songs relate in one way or another to Madeira’s New England rearing, and his move to the South. Generally a guitar player, he says he “Fell in love with the piano again” in writing them. That’s obvious right away in the rolling dirge called “Wicked Job,” the wonderful piano-led music spellbinding by its lightheartedness. “A Rhode Island Yankee on Jefferson Davis Court” continues the theme, with horns swirling amid a second line beat. “Dearest Companion” moves compellingly between past and present and north and south (“We’re Dixon and Mason”) on the strength of a personal relationship, and the musical bond between drums, bass, piano and voice.

Madeira’s singing at times recalls the droll but tuneful realisms of Randy Newman and Lyle Lovett. His delivery defines comfort and joy. “Crescent Park” speaks to innocent times, when happy things came easily. It sounds a bit like Dr. John, and features John Scofield on pointed, peerless guitar. Madeira grew up in a religious household with a Baptist minister father, and a church pianist mom. Somehow, perhaps imperceptibly, his family colors this music.

An extraordinarily enjoyable experience awaits in Providence. Help make the man a star—it’s about time.

—Tom Clarke