October, 2001
The concert was in a small venue (100 seats)
called the Tin Angel, on the second floor of a converted row home
in Philly, upstairs from a nice little restaurant- long and narrow,
with the textured tin ceiling, and great murals on the walls. I've
been there a few times for concerts, and have always enjoyed myself.
The show was at seven, and the doors open a half hour
before. We arrived in time to be right after the first
person in line onthe steps. We spoke to her- she was
something of a Phil Roy groupy- goes to see him
whenever she can. SHe extolled his virtues to us, told
us how she usually goes witha girlfriend who couldn't
make it this time- how her girlfriend was even more
enamored, and had gotten him to give her an advance
demo of his forthcoming CD, with the caveat that she
NOT play it for anyone- not even the woman in line. And
she hadn't even though this woman had begged him to
make an exception for her. As we were talking to her
this man came out of the club, and stopped to speak to
her- it was Phil. He was very personable. He greeted
Heather and I, too, and stopped to speak to other people
on the steps on his way down, assuring them the door would
be open soon.
We were seated soon after that, and ordered oursleves
Sierra Nevada Pale Ales. The first act was Kevin Hanson,
who was unfamiliar to me. He was wquite good- fronted a
talented trio, and sang and played guitar in a variety
of styles. None of Hanson's songs GRIPPED me, but they were
all enjoyable.
Phil came up around 8, after a break, and it was
evident some people in the audience knew him well.
He started with another guitar player who played in a
classically-informed style. He was wonderful. Phil said
this guy came up to him and said he'd like to play with
him, and Phil listened to him and was blown away.
Unfortunatley I can't remember his name. He has his own
CD out. Phil himself only has one, but has written
songs that many other people have covered his songs,
including:
Nicolas Cage(!) from the Leaving Las Vegas ("Ridiculous"
and "Melt" - my favorite- a beautiful song),
Joe Cocker ("The Simple Things") ,
Danielle Brisebois ("Everything My Heart Desires"),
the Neville Bros ("Let My People Go"),
Ray Charles ("My World"),
and Widespread Panic and Pop Staples (both covered
"Hope In A Hopeless World"). He has three
songs on the soundtrack to "As Good As it Gets",
appropriately- since he is a very emotional songwriter
and performer. He blew us away. He had the woman we met
on the steps tearing up. He talked in such warm and
glowing terms of his fiancee, who he met at one of his
shows a year before, it was very touching. He also was
funny, in turns. See him if you get a chance! Its a
show you should see with your sweety...
© 2001 Thomas Coleman