Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Songwriter and guitarist Dave Alvin was the heart of the Blasters, one of America's greatest roots rock bands, but his brother, vocalist Phil Alvin, was the soul of the group, and anyone who wants a crash course on the importance of Phil's contribution to that fine band ought to check out his first solo album, Un "Sung Stories". Here, Phil tackles ten vintage blues, jazz, and gospel tunes, sometimes accompanied a small combo (or just Phil's rudimentary guitar), while on other cuts Alvin is joined by Sun Ra and his Arkestra and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, each of whom swing up a storm in their own truly individual ways. While the sound and approach of this set is a far cry from the Blasters potent take on America's musical history, Alvin's vocals ring out with a palpable joy, and he makes these musical museum pieces live and breathe like they were written last week; this album truly carries the spirit of the Blasters' wide-spectrum approach to American music into a very different direction. And while Phil may not have his brother's songwriting chops, you can't say that a man who would ask Sun Ra to arrange "The Old Man of the Mountain" and "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" and then have the courage to take the lead vocal on the same is lacking in the way of a unique personal vision. Short and sweet, Un "Sung Stories" is a true gem that's richly felt in a way a collection of "old standards" is not expected to be. Now would someone be so kind as to reissue this on CD?
© Mark Deming /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From kr133,33/month
Mills, Writer - Hayes, Writer - Phil Alvin, MainArtist - Washington, Writer
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
Phil Alvin, Writer, MainArtist - Alec Johnson, Writer
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
Arlen, Writer - Calloway, Writer - Bloom, Writer - Phil Alvin, MainArtist - Koehier, Writer
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
Phil Alvin, MainArtist - Reverand A. Johnson, Writer
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
Phil Alvin, MainArtist - Cab Calloway, Writer
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
Otis Blackwell, Writer - Phil Alvin, MainArtist
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
Phil Alvin, MainArtist - Henry spaulding, Writer
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
E.Y. HARBURG, Writer - ROB MATHES, Arranger - Jay Gorney, Writer - Phil Alvin, MainArtist
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
Phil Alvin, MainArtist - Irene Spain, Writer - Andy Jenkins, Writer
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
Phil Alvin, MainArtist - Reverand A. Johnson, Writer
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Records.
Album review
Songwriter and guitarist Dave Alvin was the heart of the Blasters, one of America's greatest roots rock bands, but his brother, vocalist Phil Alvin, was the soul of the group, and anyone who wants a crash course on the importance of Phil's contribution to that fine band ought to check out his first solo album, Un "Sung Stories". Here, Phil tackles ten vintage blues, jazz, and gospel tunes, sometimes accompanied a small combo (or just Phil's rudimentary guitar), while on other cuts Alvin is joined by Sun Ra and his Arkestra and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, each of whom swing up a storm in their own truly individual ways. While the sound and approach of this set is a far cry from the Blasters potent take on America's musical history, Alvin's vocals ring out with a palpable joy, and he makes these musical museum pieces live and breathe like they were written last week; this album truly carries the spirit of the Blasters' wide-spectrum approach to American music into a very different direction. And while Phil may not have his brother's songwriting chops, you can't say that a man who would ask Sun Ra to arrange "The Old Man of the Mountain" and "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" and then have the courage to take the lead vocal on the same is lacking in the way of a unique personal vision. Short and sweet, Un "Sung Stories" is a true gem that's richly felt in a way a collection of "old standards" is not expected to be. Now would someone be so kind as to reissue this on CD?
© Mark Deming /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:33:57
- Main artists: Phil Alvin
- Label: Rhino - Slash
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 1986 Slash Records. ℗ 1986 Slash Record. Manufactured and Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.