There are a bunch of other posts from January 2009 that I could repost. Good stuff from Justin Townes Earle, Ben Kweller, and even Sarah Borges. But you’ve all heard of those so I’ll continue doing what I’m good at and that is highlighting undersung performers. So today’s “best of 2009″ repost is reserved for Phil Lee and his record So Long, It’s Been Good To Know You.
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“25 Mexicans” is a song of border crossings, illegal immigration, and the living conditions of Mexican Nationals that strikes up thoughts of Woody Guthrie, John Prine and Tom Russell. As performed by Phil Lee it shares both the cadence and the lyrical themes of some of those great singer-songwriters. It’s a pretty amazing song and one that adds to the great week of music we’ve had already on Songs:Illinois (here and here).
Phil Lee is an unsung “real” country artist from Nashville. He’s had two previous critically acclaimed records. The new one, So Long, Its Been Good To Know You, was released towards the end of 2008 and rocketed to #1 on the Euro Americana Charts where it sits to this day. From the two songs below you can hear how he effectively mixes folk, rhythm and blues, blue-eyed soul and country.
You can order the new record right from Phil Lee’s homepage.
Bonus:
Neon Tombstone
Double bonus: (and a belated Christmas song)
I Wanna Spend My Christmas Time With You
P.S. Kudos to The Late Greats for having the only other post on Elbo.ws about Phil Lee.