This project is a dream come true for me. I always wanted to get to know Utah Phillips. His songwriting
style, his sense of storytelling in a song, and his focus on regional song topics have all influenced my
own songwriting. Through serendipity, I was given the chance to get to know him better, posthumously,
through his son Duncan Phillips' invitation to be the producer for this recording, and through the
intensive work this project has entailed. It's funny how life works out. I would have called this project a
master's thesis if I could have taken any credit for it. I also can't take any credit for the beautiful
performances of the songs on this recording. Credit is all due to the artists' performances and the songs
themselves. I consider producing this project my gift back to the world of music that has nurtured my
own musical development and career.
This recording features songwriters based in and near the state of Utah who have been influenced by Utah Phillips' music, some who took music lessons from him before he took to the road as a full-time folksinger, and a few musicians who performed with him in Utah when he still went by the name of "Bruce." All songs that were recorded with a guitar track were blessed with the sound of Utah's "great Guild," the blond guitar that Utah Philips toured with for decades. The guitar carries inside it some of Joe Hill's ashes. A photo of Utah Phillips stared at us during the recording sessions, watching from a table next to the microphones. Many of the songs chosen for this recording were inspired by the history of the region from which this tribute recording has sprung. While working on this project, we discovered that Utah Phillips' own versions of his songs had evolved over time, with small but significant changes in the lyrics. So we compared, studied, furrowed our brows, laughed and let his words fall into place as best we could. This project was funded by generous donors and by passing the hat at performances at which the project's performers volunteered their time and talent.
Kate MacLeod
This recording features songwriters based in and near the state of Utah who have been influenced by Utah Phillips' music, some who took music lessons from him before he took to the road as a full-time folksinger, and a few musicians who performed with him in Utah when he still went by the name of "Bruce." All songs that were recorded with a guitar track were blessed with the sound of Utah's "great Guild," the blond guitar that Utah Philips toured with for decades. The guitar carries inside it some of Joe Hill's ashes. A photo of Utah Phillips stared at us during the recording sessions, watching from a table next to the microphones. Many of the songs chosen for this recording were inspired by the history of the region from which this tribute recording has sprung. While working on this project, we discovered that Utah Phillips' own versions of his songs had evolved over time, with small but significant changes in the lyrics. So we compared, studied, furrowed our brows, laughed and let his words fall into place as best we could. This project was funded by generous donors and by passing the hat at performances at which the project's performers volunteered their time and talent.
Kate MacLeod