With his heart ever on his sleeve, the honesty and vulnerability Phil possesses is always present. The musical influences are all over the map: To be sure, his jazz-blues influences are still present, but the record swings back to the Americana genre that has provided his launch pad; there are traces of Prine and the Beatles, and even Steely Dan.
“Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”, Phil jokes about his journey. Madeira came to Nashville in the 80s to be an artist, but wound up writing songs and playing all manner of instruments on the records of other artists, and still enjoys serving the art of others. That tribe includes a diverse group of artists including Mavis Staples, Keb’ Mo, Taj Mahal, Alison Krauss, Amy Grant, Little Big Town, Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Vanessa Williams, Buddy Miller, Solomon Burke, and dozens more.
After producing two critically acclaimed multi-artist projects called “Mercyland: Hymns For The Rest Of Us”, Madeira realized it was now or never, and in 2014 released “PM”, his first record since 1996. But it was 2018’s “Providence”, a piano-driven tour de force, that garnered exceptional reviews and visibility as a songwriter’s songwriter. His albums took on an autobiographical mantle that has continued with “Open Heart”, “Hornet’s Nest”, and now, “Bliss”.
Madeira continues to tour with Emmylou Harris & Her Red Dirt Boys, while touring as a trio, and as The Red Dirt Boys sans Ms. Harris.
Phil has brought so much to our retreat. His writing, his musicianship, his uniquely honest and insightful perspective on life and faith is refreshing, and that comes through loud and clear on the song “Needles” he crafted with the inspiration of his group of men/all addicts.
