A Boot and a Shoe

Submitted by nonesuch on
Release Date
DescriptionExcerpt

Stripped-down arrangements highlighting drums and guitar distinguish this T Bone Burnett-produced album of coolly rendered, emotionally incendiary “torch songs,” as Phillips calls them. The Chicago Sun-Times describes her songs as “miniature portraits that ache with intimacy, desire, and loss.”

Description

In a recent concert review, The New York Times says, “If understatement could peak, it would have when Sam Phillips performed.” That’s an apt description for Phillips’ new album, A Boot and a Shoe, which is produced by T Bone Burnett and derives much of its power from restraint and subtlety. The arrangements are remarkably simple, consisting mostly of acoustic guitar, electric bass, drums and Phillips’ vocals. The playing and singing are hushed throughout, although the reverberations of loosened drums and aging guitars are audible at every turn.

The record’s thirteen new songs unfold with the intimacy and organic coherence of a live show. Musically dynamic but never cluttered, the album includes occasional piano vamps and string arrangements by Patrick Warren, electric bass by T Bone Burnett and drums by Jim Keltner, Jay Belarose and Carla Azar (Autolux).

A Boot and a Shoe, is Phillips’ eighth studio album and follows her critically lauded Nonesuch Records debut, Fan Dance (2001), which also was produced by Burnett. Fan Dance initiated a stylistic departure that A Boot and a Shoe, builds upon: the records’ spare, spacious sound diverges from the lush production of Omnipop (1996) and the Grammy-nominated Martinis and Bikinis (1994), which featured Phillips’ hit “I Need Love.” In addition to her acclaimed albums, Phillips has contributed music to a number of major films and television shows, including the popular WB show “Gilmore Girls.”

Although he has collaborated with Phillips on many of her albums, Burnett’s role in her most recent two recordings is particularly vital, as he is well known for helping artists explore new ground. Perhaps best known for producing the six million-selling O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, Burnett has produced albums by The Wallflowers, Gillian Welch, Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, and others.

ProductionCredits

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by T Bone Burnett
Recorded by Mike Piersante at Sunset Sound Records, Hollywood, CA; The Village, West Hollywood, CA; Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys, CA
Assistant Engineers: Brian Hearity, Jason Wormer, Emile Kelman, Ben Mumphrey
Mixed by T Bone Burnett and Mike Piersante
Mastered by Gavin Lurssen
Production Coordination: Ivy Scoff
Technical Support: Paul Ackling
Executive Producer: David Bither
String arrangements on track 3, 6-8 and 11 by Patrick Warren

All songs composed by Sam Phillips

Design by Doyle Partners
Cover photographs by Eg Project/Photonica (left) and Glen Erler/Photonica (right)

Nonesuch Selection Number

79807

Number of Discs in Set
1disc
FormatRestrictions

All formats of this album are available from Nonesuch in the United States only.

ns_album_artistid
145
ns_album_id
543
ns_album_releasedate
ns_genre_1
0
ns_genre_2
0
Album Status
Artist Name
Sam Phillips
MusicianDetails

MUSICIANS
Sam Phillips, vocals (1-13), guitar (1, 2, 6, 8-13), rhythm guitar (3-5, 7)
Carla Azar, drums (1-5, 7-10, 12, 13)
The Section Quartet:
Eric Gorfain, violin (1, 3, 6-8)
Daphne Chen, violin (1, 3, 6-8)
Richard Dodd, cello (1, 3, 6-8)
Leah Katz, viola (1, 3, 6-8)
Jay Belarose, drums (2, 9, 13)
David Piltch, bass (2)
T Bone Burnett, bass (3, 5-8, 10)
Jim Keltner, drums (3, 5, 7, 8)
Marc Ribot, guitar (3), electric guitar (5)
Patrick Warren, piano (3, 6), pump organ (6)
Chris Bruce, guitar (12), electric guitar (4)
Mike Elizondo, bass (9, 13)

Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
CD+MP3
Price
0.00
UPC
075597980721BUN
Label
MP3
Price
9.00
UPC
075597980769
  • 79807

News & Reviews

  • Sam Phillips's critically acclaimed 2001 Nonesuch debut album, Fan Dance, is now available on vinyl, as a fan-selected title on Run Out Groove. Remastered and pressed on 180-gram vinyl, the LP comes in an old-school tip-on style jacket with booklet, limited and individually numbered. The Boston Globe calls it "a stunning work of intimacy and emotional range."

  • The first worldwide vinyl release of Sam Phillips's critically acclaimed 2001 Nonesuch debut album, Fan Dance, is due on Valentine's Day 2020, as the latest fan-selected title on Run Out Groove. Remastered and pressed on 180-gram vinyl, the LP comes in an old-school tip-on style jacket with booklet, limited and individually numbered. It is available to pre-order via Run Out Groove and the Nonesuch Store until November 7, and then pressed and numbered to a limited quantity based on total orders. The Boston Globe calls it "a stunning work of intimacy and emotional range."

Buy Now

  • About This Album

    In a recent concert review, The New York Times says, “If understatement could peak, it would have when Sam Phillips performed.” That’s an apt description for Phillips’ new album, A Boot and a Shoe, which is produced by T Bone Burnett and derives much of its power from restraint and subtlety. The arrangements are remarkably simple, consisting mostly of acoustic guitar, electric bass, drums and Phillips’ vocals. The playing and singing are hushed throughout, although the reverberations of loosened drums and aging guitars are audible at every turn.

    The record’s thirteen new songs unfold with the intimacy and organic coherence of a live show. Musically dynamic but never cluttered, the album includes occasional piano vamps and string arrangements by Patrick Warren, electric bass by T Bone Burnett and drums by Jim Keltner, Jay Belarose and Carla Azar (Autolux).

    A Boot and a Shoe, is Phillips’ eighth studio album and follows her critically lauded Nonesuch Records debut, Fan Dance (2001), which also was produced by Burnett. Fan Dance initiated a stylistic departure that A Boot and a Shoe, builds upon: the records’ spare, spacious sound diverges from the lush production of Omnipop (1996) and the Grammy-nominated Martinis and Bikinis (1994), which featured Phillips’ hit “I Need Love.” In addition to her acclaimed albums, Phillips has contributed music to a number of major films and television shows, including the popular WB show “Gilmore Girls.”

    Although he has collaborated with Phillips on many of her albums, Burnett’s role in her most recent two recordings is particularly vital, as he is well known for helping artists explore new ground. Perhaps best known for producing the six million-selling O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, Burnett has produced albums by The Wallflowers, Gillian Welch, Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, and others.

    Credits

    MUSICIANS
    Sam Phillips, vocals (1-13), guitar (1, 2, 6, 8-13), rhythm guitar (3-5, 7)
    Carla Azar, drums (1-5, 7-10, 12, 13)
    The Section Quartet:
    Eric Gorfain, violin (1, 3, 6-8)
    Daphne Chen, violin (1, 3, 6-8)
    Richard Dodd, cello (1, 3, 6-8)
    Leah Katz, viola (1, 3, 6-8)
    Jay Belarose, drums (2, 9, 13)
    David Piltch, bass (2)
    T Bone Burnett, bass (3, 5-8, 10)
    Jim Keltner, drums (3, 5, 7, 8)
    Marc Ribot, guitar (3), electric guitar (5)
    Patrick Warren, piano (3, 6), pump organ (6)
    Chris Bruce, guitar (12), electric guitar (4)
    Mike Elizondo, bass (9, 13)

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Produced by T Bone Burnett
    Recorded by Mike Piersante at Sunset Sound Records, Hollywood, CA; The Village, West Hollywood, CA; Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys, CA
    Assistant Engineers: Brian Hearity, Jason Wormer, Emile Kelman, Ben Mumphrey
    Mixed by T Bone Burnett and Mike Piersante
    Mastered by Gavin Lurssen
    Production Coordination: Ivy Scoff
    Technical Support: Paul Ackling
    Executive Producer: David Bither
    String arrangements on track 3, 6-8 and 11 by Patrick Warren

    All songs composed by Sam Phillips

    Design by Doyle Partners
    Cover photographs by Eg Project/Photonica (left) and Glen Erler/Photonica (right)

  • Format Availability

    All formats of this album are available from Nonesuch in the United States only.