Coming out of Mayes County in Oklahoma, singer-songwriter Nashville Phil is keeping the spirit of vintage country music alive. His songs, brimming with vivid characters and gripping tales, have captured the imaginations of listeners around the globe and put him on the map as a torchbearer for the style in the modern age.
A former wrangler, mechanic and seafarer, Nashville Phil brings a unique perspective to his music that only someone who’s truly lived the life can convey. His storytelling songs features lovers, liars and losers, all figures brought to life with cinematic detail, paired with his warm, classic country vocal style and folk-inspired instrumentation that’s earned him high praise from the likes of the London Evening Standard.
First sharing his original sonic vision in 2019, he released his debut single “Forty-two Shoe” and has since followed up with a string of well-received songs over the last five years. One of Nashville Phil’s recent songs, “Swerve Me Again,” is a holiday-themed single originally released last November which quickly gained a cult following among fans and critics.
However, its gritty lyrics, referencing hard liquor, narcotics and prostitutes, proved too controversial for radio play. Rather than letting the song fade into obscurity, Phil took an inventive approach; he rewrote the lyrics to make them radio-friendly, maintaining the track’s original rhythm while recording a fresh vocal take.
Accompanying Nashville Phil’s guitar and vocal work, Phil Bloomberg’s upright bass, Thomas Daniel Howard’s steady drumming and the remarkable vibraphone work of US jazz virtuoso David Friedman all add the the song’s timeless charm. Jumping into a bouncy, upbeat country jam, the dusty shuffle of drums is met with bright vibraphone tones, walking bass lines and Phil’s compelling vocal leads, creating a catchy Christmas-focused outing.
With lyrics that recount the main character’s indiscretions and how he might be missed out by Santa on his Christmas rounds, “Swerve Me Again” serves up a playful and catchy two minute experience that frames Nashville Phil’s enduring country sound in a seasonal setting. Once again showcasing his engaging songwriting and performance panache, his new version of “Swerve Me Again” presents a superb addition to any alternative Christmas playlist to soundtrack your celebrations this year and beyond.
Listen to Swerve Me Again below
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