 Anyone who truly listens to singer/songwriter Randy Phillips' lyrics recognizes
her as a poet at heart. Critically acclaimed producer and recording artist Peter
Sprague has written of Randy's music "One of the most powerful qualities that
music holds is its ability to reveal to us the subtle inner workings of the human
soul. Through Randy Phillips' voice, music and lyrics we learn something about
ourselves. She is a true artist."
Over the past several years Randy has shared the stage with
many distinguished musicians including
Peter Sprague,
Fred Bennedetti, John Katchur, Kevin Hennessy, Duncan Moore,
Peggy Watson,
Tommy Aros, Barnaby Finch, Sean and Sara Watkins, Chris Thile, John
Highkin, Monette Marino, and others. Her second album Full Moon's Daughter
is a versatile mix of folk,jazz and bluegrass. It features the guitar and fiddle
work of Sean and Sara Watkins from the Grammy-nominated, award winning band
Nickel Creek,
pianist Barnaby Finch (keyboardist for Lee Ritenour and former musical
director for George Benson), distinctive arrangements by the notable jazz guitarist
Peter Sprague and an unforgettable alto sax solo by international jazz legend
Charles McPherson.
Randy Phillips was born in Santa Monica, California, the second of three children
and grew up in West Los Angeles. A creative and expressive child, Randy began
writing poetry and composing melodies in second grade which resulted in local
Girl Scout awards and publication in several school papers. In high school, she
studied drama, wrote songs and sang with a trio called "Stained Glass Rainbow"
whose original music won representation by a Hollywood agent. Unfortunately, the
agent skipped town with all recordings, contracts and every other trace of his
professional existence. Friday evenings were often spent listening to music at
"The Troubadour", a small westside club where for $5.00, one could enjoy the up
and coming talents of James Taylor, Carol King, Carley Simon, and Cat Stevens.
Attending San Diego State University in 1971, her musical career took a slight
detour when she became intrigued with sociology and religious studies. While working
on a Sociology degree, she studied poetry with the acclaimed, award winning poet,
Carolyn Forche.
 Graduating with a degree in Sociology in 1976, Randy took employment working nights
counseling runaway adolescents at a residential treatment program called "The Bridge."
She found that playing guitar and singing songs of longing such as "Leaving on
a Jet Plane" and "Someday Soon", as well as some of her own compositions facilitated
a healing process for many of the runaways with whom she worked. Her journey in
the counseling field led her into the early Hospice movement where, while earning
her Masters degree in Social Work she participated in establishing San Diego Hospice,
one of the first, largest and most well respected hospices in the country. While
she was Director of Psychosocial Services there, Randy employed her musical talents
with terminally ill patients, families and staff members. She was also asked to
write the sound track to a film specifically designed to train hospice volunteers
across the country. Randy appeared on the local television show "Sun Up San Diego"
to sing "Hello", the theme song from that soundtrack.
Over the years, Randy has attracted a diverse and loyal audience.
Charles McPherson describes Randy's music as "sensitive and heartfelt. a blend
of folk and a certain country sound that has originality. very melodic and calming
to the soul." The critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Peggy Watson describes
Randy's lyrics as "poetic and thought provoking."
 As well as performing at a wide variety of venues throughout
San Diego, she has been heard on KPBS Radio's premier forum for the arts, "The
Lounge". Her song, "Cross at the Curve in the Road" from her 2001 release has
been featured on the popular National Public Radio show, Car Talk.
Randy's previous release "Wild Horses" features the fine dobro, fiddle and banjo signature
of acclaimed bluegrass musician Dennis Caplinger. Peter Sprague, who co-wrote 8 of
the 11 original songs featured on the album, wields his magic in moving arrangements
and soaring guitar work.
Her newest CD "True Stories I Made Up" released in 2005, is a poetic collection of original, lyric oriented jazz infused folk that speaks directly to the heart. It journeys through themes that include the transience of life (Change of Heart) and the deepest of philisophical questions (Question & Answer) to the emotional landscape of relationship (True Story I Made Up) and bone chilling solitude (Too Far Down). A fine collaboration with multiple award winning guitarist and producer Peter Sprague, the album features master bass player Bob Magnusson on three Pat Metheny tunes interpreted lyrically by Randy Phillips. |
Violet Star Records
