Phantom Limb

While the likes of Adele inexplicably rack up trillions in sales, bands like Bristol’s Phantom Limb, struggle along via the small venue touring circuit. In singer Yolanda Quartey they posssess one of the finest vocalists of recent times – her incredibly powerful, yet controlled voice is a thing of beauty, and utilised via the context of a batch of classic songs, and a live band that knows how to play (the right notes, the right textures, the right space to allow the music to breathe) Phantom Limb, as a live proposition, are close to perfection.

Many people inexplicably struggle with this band – their timeless, utterly classic sound fuses country, soul and gospel to make a pop-friendly whole – it’s what so many wannabees strive to sound like when they listen to their Neil Young or The Band albums, but almost invariably end up sounding like a poor parody of the real thing. Phantom Limb not only sound like these classic acts, they also sound totally unlike them thanks to their songs, all cleverly crafted nuggets of timeless yet original beauty. Hush now, say it softly, but they are often better than the aforementioned artists. For instance, their one and only cover of the night, Little Feat’s ‘Willin”, while a great song, only re-affirms the sheer class of the rest of the set. For those who do get it, and despite the resigned nature of much of the lyrics, the band represents a sound and mood nothing short of uplifting bliss.

Latest Music Bar. 3 March 2012

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