Phil Gammage, songwriter and performer has a plenitude of enthusiasts. He has enjoyed the fruits of success and the tormets of failure through his music. Moving freely between the worlds of rock, blues, folk and jazz, he has always searched for new vistas and styles of musical expression. Philip Thomas Gammage hails from the Bayou City -- Houston, Texas. His formative musical influences were his mother and brother. Here the groundwork was laid: playing and learning guitar and harmonica. Years of work honing his sngwriting skill have resulted in the unique style that this collection so clearly illustrates. The music on this CD captures the highlights of Gammage's solo work between the years 1990 and 1994. The songs herein are taken from the "Night Train", "Kneel to the Rising Sun", "Cry of the City" and"Lowlife Street" records. Accompanying him is an array of talented musical artists and long-time collaborators. Key players are Oklahoma's Martin Blazy, Jersey City's Vinny DeNunzio, Callifornia's Marc Jeffrey, and New Yorker's Dave Lee and Wendy Wild. They form the nucleus of the outer layer, which gives Gammage freedom, but supports him beautifully. In Phil's songs there is a wonderful completenss that fills the soul with both joy and pathos. In telling a musical story he uses a palette that is melodic and full of emotion, color, and great originality. Here is the truest example of this great artist's ability to bare his soul through music expression. - Andrea Morris - Radio Five - Los Angeles, CA