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The thing about Phil is ... I mean, to put it another way ... you see, it's just that mom and dad got it wrong. Where Phil is concerned, I can easily see
this bio thing getting out of hand during the just-how-talented-is-he?
section but I'll try to keep some kind of lid on it. In another time, somebody might have eventually caught Phil in
a nearby phone booth changing into Superman. (Alas, no more phone booths.) So let's tick a few things off... . • Monster Guitarist – check.
• Monster Singer – check. •
Monster Performer – check. • Monster Sound/Recording Engineer – check.
 I could go on but space is limited. The fact is, he's really so truly good at everything
and has been doing it for so long, I think sometimes people forget to be amazed. Out of the box as a teenager in his
first band, Topaz, with brother, Mark, Phil was a commanding lead guitarist with a natural gift for improvising solos out
of thin air, any style, any key, anytime, anywhere. But that's not to say that Phil doesn't honor the original recording when it's time for the old
"note-for-note". Just check out his solo on Boston's "Long Time" and I think you'll see what I mean.
You'd have to dig very deep to find another guy who can do that live - on stage - no studio tricks.
But enough about the playing, how about the singing? Talking Head's
"Burning Down The House", the Clash's "Rock The Casbah". I'm just sayin' dude can light up a microphone
and entertain in the process. Phil's been
performing in the area since the late seventies in bands like Hazard, Just In Time, Toy Soldiers, and Under Cover. All really
good bands to be sure but now, with Steppin' Out, we all get to see him pour his heart and soul into every show with a band
that can finally go toe-to-toe with him.
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