PRIVATE PARTS & PIECES

When Sides came out, Anthony Phillips chose to sweeten the deal by offering alongside it this collection of recordings that he'd produced over the years as sketches for more filled-out works. Little did he expect that these sparse songs, dominated by acoustic guitar with occasional piano backing, would prove to be enough of a success to support nine sequels in the Private Parts and Pieces series! All these little sketches are wonderfully performed - anyone with doubts about Phillips' ability as a guitarist will become a believer after listening to this one - and at their best have a unique yet nostalgic sound that stands apart from the rest of the progressive scene at the time. Consequently, along with The Geese and the Ghost Private Parts and Pieces is quintessential Phillips, though it may be more palatable to prog folk afficionados, or at least people who are open to music that's less lush and complex and layered than typical symphonic prog of the sort Phillips made his name with in Genesis.

Additionally, it should be remembered that, true to the title, these private pieces are just that - personal sketches not developed into full-blown compositions. Between that and their extremely introverted nature, the album often feels more like listening to Phillips noodling away aimlessly by himself, rather than a set of compositions intended to actually convey something to an audience.