By The Time I Get Tomorrow - Reviews

By The Time I Get Tomorrow - Review Maverick Feb 2010

Morrison-esque poetic ruminations from deepest Essex

Despite the country punning title, it seems right somehow that Phil Burdett actually calls Chalkwell Park, a small patch of greenery in Southend-on-Sea, home. Southend is a bit run down, a bit beaten up, one of those places that time forgot, forever trapped in the half-remembered heyday of the British seaside. Burdett is the perfect poet for such a place, one part bohemian-era Tom Waits, two parts stream of consciousness Van the man circa-Astral Weeks topped off with the sensibility of Robbie Robertson circa Carny and Somewhere Down The Crazy River (which of course in certain, or perhaps uncertain, light, is exactly where Burdett resides).

A master of imagery and haiku-esque conjuring Burdett, accompanied by guitars, whispered hints of rhythm, thoughtful piano from Rick Dawson but above all some wonderfully hushed backing vocals from Wendy Roberts, Colleen McCarthy and Claire Furley, croons stories of lost loves, the reflections of a man of a certain age ruminating on his life, what he did, what he might have done. Undeniably personal, it’s also hugely thought-provoking, promoting the listener to engage in exactly the same sort of examinations, and as Socrates said, the unexamined life is not worth living so Burdett is definitely on the side of the angels. His vocals, alternately gnarled and tender, are hugely evocative, and in the epic desperate breakup song Bell Wharf Blues he excels himself, pouring draughts of 100° proof truth in great sweeping verses.

Although from time to time things move up a notch, as with February Kind Of Woman’s jazz groove, it’s with the downbeat and pensive that Burdett is most at home, and with this album he announces himself as a man not merely to watch, but to actively seek out.
JS


By The Time I Get Tomorrow ( Will Bray - Americana UK)  Home sweet home


Born and bred Essex lad Phil Burdett has roamed his local clubs and been a regular at Leigh Folk Festival for many years. His latest release, ‘By The Time I Get Tomorrow’ is the third record in the series of Burdett’s ‘Unrequited Trilogy’.

The very intricate, earthy acoustic guitar work mixed with the solemn, gravely tone of Burdett’s vocal create an air of mystique about the album Read the full review


By The Time I Get Tomorrow ( review Paulo Buckley - Threshold Records ) 
You can’t escape your influences and Phil Burdett certainly has a list longer than most. A glance at his MySpace site reveals names ranging from James Joyce to Jimmy Webb and Christopher Hitchens to Tim Hardin. The most obvious, however, has to be that “World Weary Wise Old Wanderer” himself, Van Morrison. With Van merely treading water creatively these days (and all his great songs at least 25 years behind him) it’s good to report that at least one of his acolytes can still produce the goods.

“By the Time I get Tomorrow” is Burdett’s fifth CD and the final part of an ‘unrequited trilogy’ which began with 2001’s “See You Later, Forever” and continued in 2006 with “Dandelion Wishes and Atheist Prayers”. Like the album itself, the front cover is Phil’s most impressive yet.  Read full review

Dandelion Wishes and Atheist Prayers - Review

“Dandelion Wishes and Atheist Prayers” – Phil Burdett (Released 1 April 2006)
Review by Jago Bernicci

 first three CDs….I hasten to add that this was not for a bootlegging operation (I bought the originals – honest!), but simply because they wore out through over-use!  I fear the same fate for his fourth offering – “Dandelion Wishes and Atheist Prayers”, released in April 2006.
Burdett’s aforementioned first three CDs (“Deisel Poems”, “Patchouli Electric” and “See You Later, Forever”) all demonstrate his ability to write and perform songs which cross a multitude of musical genres (Folk, Blues, Rock, C&W etc., etc.). The new album does this more than ever. Read full review

See You Later Forever - Reviews

" 'See You later Forever' is Phil's fourth release and to describe as haunting and just bewitching doesn't do it justice. With echoes of Van Morrison, Jeff Buckley, Brian Wilson and Bob Dylan, it's a bittersweet, poignant and touching affair recalling the ultimately futile chase of a love lost, yearned for, rediscovered and eventually gone for ever...

This is not a "one play" album... it's a real grower


Mark Cunningham - Editor of Total Production Magazine
On first hearing, 'See You Later, Forever' doesn't sound like the product of Southend-on-Sea... possibly more like Memphis or Austin, Texas, which is arguably where young Phil should be right now. The musicianship and arrangements throughout this album are carefully moulded to allow the passion, anger, frustration and all manner of (very) human emotions of the lyrics project right between the listener's eyes, and it all makes for a compelling experience. This is not a "one play" album... it's a real grower,and one that deserves a much wider audience than I suspect it will earn. Keep it coming, Phil - see you on a stage near here soon.

Album review - StereoBoard
Phil is a songwriter in the traditional sense and why he isn't more well known is beyond me and the rest of his fans. Each of the tracks on this album takes the listener on a journey musically and lyrically just like a
song should and those of us who recall the days before music was dumbed downand lyrics an afterthought .. will adore making this beautiful and moving musical journey with Phil."
Album review - StereoBoard (http://www.stereoboard.com/viewreview.php?review=3797

Ralph Dartford - Bloomsbury Theatre
'See you later, forever' (Suburban Mythic Records). "One of the great undiscovered talents of the last twenty years. This beautiful collection of songs will break your heart and have you drinking black coffee till late in the evening." 

Paulo Buckley - Threshold Records
"Burdett resolutely remains one of the music businesses best kept secrets. In recent years I've looked on, perplexed and aghast, as the niche he could occupy with consummate ease gets hi-jacked by the likes of bloody David Gray." 

Mary Costello 1996 - radio presenter GLR
"Good music irrespective of style, has the abiliity to transcend its surroundings, transport the listener, and indeed appear to stop time. Phil Burdett's music possesses these qualitites and much more...Phil writes and performs straight from the heart, and when I hear Phil he still touches mine. Listen to this record and take it home to yours. 

 Charlie at www.invisiblehands.co.uk records
"...the fact that he isn't playing arenas and selling millions of records shows how little the music industry knows about talent."