Biography
REVIEW TAKEN FROM ''DERBYSHIRE TIMES''Keyboard wizard Phil Wilcock has certainly paid his dues-
and paid them in spades. In a live career spanning the best part of two decades, he has played more than 1000 gigs with bands like Kellie''s Eye, Marble Arch and Prime Example.
But after kissing goodbye to
the back of those touring transit
vans, he''s using the hi-tech tools of the internet to take his
music to a wider audience.
Tracks from his latest CD of
instrumental music have blasted him into the disco top ten at web label peoplesound.
Nickname
And Phil''s work, recorded
under his nom-de-musique and
boyhood nickname of Philo Wilo,
has been a very personal labour
of love.
The very title of his Walton''s-
mountainesque album Becky-
loubob, named atter and dedicat- o
ed to his two children, points to the intimate
inspiration behind the ten tracks on offer.
''They''re written from personal experience and
things that have happened to me,'' said Phil.
''Every track is different. People that have heard the CD say the music is atmospheric and therapeutic.''
Phil, who describes himself as Derbyshire''s biggest Beach Boys fan, also checks Santana, Hendrix and Rick Wakeman ampng his influences, along with Japanese synth player Tomita.
ANOTHER ARTICLE:
With a feverish output that is beginning to rival that of eye shadowed bodice-ripper Barbara Cartland, keyboard king Philo Wilo is at it again.
Just months after his debut long player hit the streets, he's already completed that difficult second album ' knocking out over 40 tracks in under 12 months.
But whereas his first record was instrumental stroll through thoughts on his children and the meaning of life, Singing Ivories is targeted at a very different audience.
Philo, alias Chesterfield's Phil Wilcock said: 'My kids suggested I do a CD a bit more modern, aimed at the younger market.
'They even wanted me to sing on it, but I can't! So, with a touch of revising the accompaniment parts I've tried to make the keyboard sing instead.'
And with songs which he describes as trance, tech-no, trip hop, and, er, handbag, there's no doubting that intention.
Many of the instruments hit home nicely. Come Trancing, with its chilled string sounds, would not be out of place in any clubs come-down room.
Trip Hopping has a cool, jazzy feel over the appropriate beats, will the hand bag track Ghoul Jig is toe-tapping enough to imagine white stilettos hitting the disco dance floor.
The keyboard 'vocals' come best into play on the house number Dadadah ' albeit sounding as though voiced by silicon Showaddywaddy. Techno Talk opens with aggressive cross beats and stabs, Philo doesn't really have the sonic single mindedness required for pure dance music.
The self avowed Beach Boy nut can't help sacrificing rhythm on the alter of melody ' though it's none the worse for that.
Philo Wilo has already written and recorded a further two albums so if you like this one, at least you know there's another not far behind.
Derbyshire Times. Thursday, March 15, 2001.
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