PRIVATE PARTS & PIECES VI - IVORY MOON

The motto for this album might be 'Anthony Phillips likes to play piano'. Initially being a well-crafted guitarist with personal approach to the instrument, he started to study piano in early 1970s. Surely it had to end up with something sooner or later. And finally, in 1986 Phillips released a piano album. No it was not his first experience with piano at all, he often used piano and other keyboards in his arrangements before. But this time he did an entire album of piano pieces. The track list includes even two long suites, one being multi-part. Of course Phillips' performance on piano is excellent, but another obvious thing is that piano is not his instrument. He's a guitarist, and there's nothing to be done. Sometimes it sounds like he plays piano thinking that he plays guitar. As a result, 52 minutes of Anthony Phillips playing piano is slightly boring, though every track is of undoubted interest. Nevertheless, many thanks to Phillips for releasing Ivory Moon. It's another side of his diverse creative personality. Yes it's easier to enjoy Back To The Pavilion or Twelve, but on the other hand, I think that listening to Ivory Moon brings me up as a listener.