{"title":"Phil Odgers","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePhil Odgers, also known as \u003cem\u003eSwill\u003c\/em\u003e, is a highly respected singer-songwriter and founding member of the influential folk-punk band The Men They Couldn't Hang. With his distinctive gravelly voice and heartfelt lyrics, Phil has been captivating audiences for over three decades. His solo work showcases his exceptional storytelling abilities and powerful vocals, drawing inspiration from traditional folk music and punk rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to his successful solo career, Phil has collaborated with talented artists such as Naomi Bedford, Merry Hell, Oysterband, Ian Prowse, Ian McNabb, Ferocious Dog, Show Of Hands, The Icicle Works, The Alarm, Half Man Half Biscuit and many more. His collaborations have resulted in remarkable musical experiences that fuse different genres and showcase his versatility as an artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether performing intimate acoustic sets or rocking out on stage with a full band lineup, Phil Odgers continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his passionate performances and timeless songwriting. His music resonates with listeners who appreciate authentic storytelling combined with energetic melodies. Discover the compelling sounds of Phil Odgers today!\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"far-rockaway-the-songs-of-phil-ochs","title":"Far Rockaway (The songs of Phil Ochs)","description":"\u003cp\u003eNew album from the singer \/ song writer from \u003cstrong\u003eThe Men They Couldn’t Hang\u003c\/strong\u003e. I’d long had an idea to record a collection of songs written by \u003cem\u003ePhil Ochs\u003c\/em\u003e and, during lockdown, with the world on hold and nowhere to go, apart from long dog walks, was the right time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eI got in touch with Merry Hell guitarist John Kettle to see if he'd be interested in collaborating on the project. He was. I started sending guitar and vocals tracks I’d record at home, and he would add guitar and other instruments at his studio in Wigan. I’m a strummer and he’s a mighty fine picker and multi-instrumentalist - the setup worked very well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis album presents 11 songs which particularly resonated with me on one level or another. It’s a mixture of politically themes and some of Och’s more personal or introspective songs - ones that he’s, perhaps, less widely known for. The political songs are as relevant today as when they were written back in the 60’s. The more reflective ones have been chosen based on their beauty and poetry, their sincerity and, in places, melancholy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eI also wanted to be careful not to tread ground already covered by others – well not too much – and have taken some liberties with arrangements, melodies, tempos and keys. I hope Phil would approve of the sentiment. Phil Ochs died on 9 April 1976, Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. This album is respectfully dedicated to his memory and lasting impact he made on people, music, and politics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vinyl Star","offers":[{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50405281464651,"sku":"2188122","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Phil_Odgers__John_Kettle_-_Far_Rockaway_The_songs_of__e4549fde_thumbnail_409.jpg?v=1726575181"},{"product_id":"roll-to-the-left","title":"Roll To The Left","description":"\u003cp\u003ePhil ‘Swill’ Odgers is well known as one half of the legendary joint vocal strike force of The Men They Couldn’t Hang. He is also highly regarded as a solo singer\/songwriter in his own right and this brilliantly fresh new album brings his songwriting prowess into sharp, bright, focus. Lyrically this is a collection of unique tales with cinematic imagery - from kitchen sink realism and social commentary to technicolor splendor. The album, in the main, was recorded in the studio built for Kirsty MacColl by Steve Lillywhite in their family home in Ealing. The studio resonates with musical history and Phil was also lucky enough to be able to use guitars previously owned by Kirsty. Musically the album has many levels – it takes Phil Odgers’ warm melodic voice and rhythmic strumming as a starting point, adds a bit of double bass, fiddle and lead guitar in all the right places. It’s never crowded. ‘The Train’ has a genuine Johnny Cash feel …in fact, on that track, Swill played the actual Martin guitar once owned by Johnny Cash. \u003ci\u003eBlue Skies And A Saturday Job\u003c\/i\u003e showcases the unusual combination of acoustic guitar with baritone and tenor sax whilst the albums only cover song, \u003ci\u003eLong Stem Rose\u003c\/i\u003e, is lovingly embraced by cornet, flugalhorn, trumpet and bass trombone. \u003ci\u003eMist On The Water\u003c\/i\u003e, perhaps the fullest song on the album, has a full string arrangement with violins, violas and cellos adding extra depth. Piano and Drums also make a brief appearance but nothing is overplayed giving the entire album a beautifully understated feel. Phil Odgers and producer James Knight made a point of only using real instruments and live performances – no auto tune here, this is as real as it gets folks! These organic and passionate sessions have resulted in a magical and deeply accomplished album by the UK’s most underrated singer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vinyl Star","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50496988053835,"sku":"1008940","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0e6f4552-6c6c-48e4-81af-8716c0c11710_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727725487"},{"product_id":"ghosts-of-rock-n-roll","title":"Ghosts of Rock N Roll","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eGhosts of Rock N Roll \u003c\/i\u003eis the fifth solo album from Men They Couldn’t Hang frontman Phil Odgers. Beginning as a collection of ukulele led demos, \u003ci\u003eGhosts of Rock N Roll\u003c\/i\u003e has endured a stormy birth and its final emergence represents the triumph of resilience over adversity. Originally launched as a Pledge Music crowdfunded campaign, the album was nearly strangled at birth by the collapse of Pledge Music in 2018 and the loss of the majority of fan investment. Despite this setback, all fan pledges were still fulfilled and the project relocated to Bandcamp just in time for the pandemic lockdown to prevent any further recording sessions with producer Jim Knight. Finally, the album inched forward over the summer of 2020 only to crash into the second lockdown and then the tragic loss of fellow TMTCH frontman Stefan Cush in February 2021. With such checkered history, \u003ci\u003eGhosts of Rock N Roll\u003c\/i\u003e seems an appropriate title and its combination of folky pop and melancholic twang, combined with an ethos of survival, memory and experience create a testament to a life spent sailing the sometimes treacherous waters of Rock and Roll. The album features guest appearances by Sid Griffin and Bobby Valentino. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vinyl Star","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50502877675851,"sku":"1148571","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50502863192395,"sku":"1127906","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/463d0f02-3303-4a62-80d1-f220fa711291_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727792441"},{"product_id":"roll-to-the-left-1","title":"Roll To The Left","description":"\u003cp\u003ePhil ‘Swill’ Odgers is well known as one half of the legendary joint vocal strike force of The Men They Couldn’t Hang. He is also highly regarded as a solo singer\/songwriter in his own right and this brilliantly fresh new album brings his songwriting prowess into sharp, bright, focus. Lyrically this is a collection of unique tales with cinematic imagery - from kitchen sink realism and social commentary to technicolor splendor. The album, in the main, was recorded in the studio built for Kirsty MacColl by Steve Lillywhite in their family home in Ealing. The studio resonates with musical history and Phil was also lucky enough to be able to use guitars previously owned by Kirsty. Musically the album has many levels – it takes Phil Odgers’ warm melodic voice and rhythmic strumming as a starting point, adds a bit of double bass, fiddle and lead guitar in all the right places. It’s never crowded. \u003ci\u003eThe Train\u003c\/i\u003e has a genuine Johnny Cash feel …in fact, on that track, Swill played the actual Martin guitar once owned by Johnny Cash. \u003ci\u003eBlue Skies And A Saturday\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eJob\u003c\/i\u003e showcases the unusual combination of acoustic guitar with baritone and tenor sax whilst the albums only cover song, \u003ci\u003eLong Stem Rose\u003c\/i\u003e, is lovingly embraced by cornet, flugalhorn, trumpet and bass trombone. \u003ci\u003eMist On The Water\u003c\/i\u003e, perhaps the fullest song on the album, has a full string arrangement with violins, violas and cellos adding extra depth. Piano and Drums also make a brief appearance but nothing is overplayed giving the entire album a beautifully understated feel. Phil Odgers and producer James Knight made a point of only using real instruments and live performances – no auto tune here, this is as real as it gets folks! These organic and passionate sessions have resulted in a magical and deeply accomplished album by the UK’s most underrated singer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vinyl Star","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50507270816075,"sku":"1007942","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2332356b-0909-43df-9176-316571da0417_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727845223"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_9d053248_thumbnail_4096_9f50a68b-ab7d-4132-86df-e6373529b886.jpg?v=1726575159","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/phil-odgers.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}