The Phantom Tollbooth

Music and more from a Christian perspective

Slow down, and have your change ready

Since 1996

Music Reviews

This is how to make music. Crafted songs, beautifully sung, and played with dexterity. Whenever it ends, it has to go straight back on again.

With lots of strong tunes, thoughtful content and consummate musicianship, as with all Morse’s work, this rock opera is a project well worth exploring.

Researching this set of celebratory jazz re-issues has twice led to ecstatic rambles through Weber’s live works on YouTube. This one is special.

Minimalist piano and vocals, with dashes of improvisation, make this a truly distinctive release.

 Sting’s guitarist goes all French for this acoustic instrumental, whose atmospheric mood is light, feeling by turns improvised, fragmented and exploratory.

No bait-and-switch musical evangelism here – this rock opera is the real thing…

Yet another 2019 release from guitar legend Keaggy and yet another where collaboration brings out different facets of his talents, while adding someone else’s to the mix. This one is more polished and Boston-like.

Irish Eurovision entrants deliver an authentic collection of national folk favourites with transatlantic guests.

When your CV includes ‘assistant engineer’ on the last two of The Beatles’ albums and ‘engineer’ on Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, you are surely made for life.  If you like Parsons’ earlier Project work, you should enjoy this one.

Using sonics ranging from pulsating electro-rock to a Salvation Army backing band, Gabriel Wilson is the right man to bring out the best sound that Smith has enjoyed since prime Delirious? days. Two of his best ever songs are right here.           

Illumination puts virtuosity in the context of relatable songs – songs that reflect the artists’ hearts as much as their technical chops in a progressive pop format.

Go to top