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- For the person of the same name who founded Sun Records, see Sam Phillips
Leslie Phillips, aka Sam Phillips, (born January 28, 1962) is an American singer and a songwriter.
Life and career
Phillips, who was born in Glendale, California, began her musical career as a vocalist in the early 1980s, singing background parts for Christian artists Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill and others. After a short time, Phillips was signed to a solo contract with Myrrh Records - under her given name - where she went on to record four Christian pop albums, Beyond Saturday Night, Dancing with Danger, Black and White in a Grey World and, finally, The Turning, which teamed her with producer and future husband, T-Bone Burnett. Throughout the Myrrh period, Phillips wrote more and more of her own songs and several were Top 10 singles on Christian radio.
Since Cyndi Lauper was popular at the time and also had an high-pitched, idiosyncratic vocal style, Myrrh insisted on promoting her as "the Christian Cyndi Lauper." Phillips was never comfortable with this image, and it was a bone of contention between her and the label. She began using the name "Sam" professionally in 1988 when she left Myrrh Records and signed with Virgin Records, partially in order to distance herself from her somewhat embarrassing Myrrh-imposed persona.
Like many Christian artists before her, she expanded into more secular content at the new label. She released The Indescribable Wow, which featured the orchestrations of Brian Wilson lyricist Van Dyke Parks. Cruel Inventions, which was released in 1991, included a guest appearance from close friend Elvis Costello, and she (with her husband) supported Costello on his 1991 tour. 1994's Martinis and Bikinis, was widely praised by music critics and was even nominated for a Grammy Award; this was Phillips' first nomination. That year also gave Phillips a chance to write a song with Brian Wilson which would appear on Rob Wasserman's Trios album, performed by Carnie Wilson.
In 1995, Phillips made her silver screen debut in the Bruce Willis blockbuster Die Hard With a Vengeance, in which she played a mute terrorist. She was originally supposed to have a speaking part in the film but it was decided that her character would be silent, since it made her appear much more imposing and lethal, although it also placed her in a more stereotypically femme fatale role at the same time.
In 1996, Phillips released Omnipop (It's Only A Flesh Wound Lambchop), which featured a song cowritten by Phillips and REM. Omnipop, which was more experimental musically, ended up being her worst-selling album to date. After releasing a contractual obligation "best-of" album for Virgin in 1999, the label dropped Phillips from their roster.
In 2001, Phillips signed with Nonesuch Records and released a stripped-down acoustic album called Fan Dance, which featured some of the most critically acclaimed songwriting of Phillips's career. Van Dyke Parks contributed string arrangements for a track or two. Phillips also began writing music for and scoring the television series Gilmore Girls, and even appeared on screen during the final episode of season six, performing "Taking Pictures" from the Fan Dance album.
In 2004, she released A Boot and a Shoe.
According to Sam Phillips' website she is currently working on her next album with a working title of Will you trade me this for a tank of gas?.
Discography
Albums
As Leslie Phillips
- Beyond Saturday Night (1983)
- Dancing with Danger (1984)
- Black and White in a Grey World (1985)
- The Turning (1987). Produced by T-Bone Burnett. Later reissued on CD and credited to Sam Phillips.
- Recollection (1987) A "best of" album, covering music from the Myrrh period. Features acoustic versions of "Your Kindness" and "No One But You" (available ONLY on this CD) and the demo version of "Walls Of Silence."
As Sam Phillips
- The Indescribable Wow (1989) Produced by T-Bone Burnett.
- Cruel Inventions (1991) Produced by T-Bone Burnett.
- Martinis and Bikinis (1994) Produced by T-Bone Burnett, with one track co-produced by Colin Moulding.
- Omnipop (It's Only A Flesh Wound Lambchop) (1996) Produced by T-Bone Burnett.''
- Zero Zero Zero (1999) A "best of" album, covering music from the Virgin period. Includes several alternate mixes and new recordings.
- Fan Dance (2001) Produced by T-Bone Burnett.
- A Boot and a Shoe (2004) Produced by T-Bone Burnett.
- Will You Trade Me This For A Tank Of Gas? Working title; release pending.
Compilation appearances
- Various Artists, Back To The Rock (1981). Original version of "Bring Me Through" appears on this album, also marking Phillips' first appearance on an album.
- Various Artists, Christian Love Songs for Couples - Vol. 1 (1985). Leslie Phillips sings "Enough For Me."
- Various Artists, Ready To Wear (Pret-a-porter) Soundtrack (1994) Sam Phillips sings "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'.
- Maranatha! Anthology - The Artists, 1971-2001. Includes re-issue of "Bring Me Through," a song Sam did as Leslie Phillips.
- Various Artists, Gilmore Girls: Our Little Corner Of The World (2002 soundtrack) Sam Phillips performs 5 tracks.
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |||
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK | |||
| 1989 | "Holding on to the Earth" | - | #22 | - | - | The Indescribable Wow |
External links
1962 births | Living people | American female singers | American rock musicians | Singer-songwriters | Singers | California musicians
"Sam Phillips (singer)"