Self produced
Recorded by Steve Robin at The Barn Studio, Nov 2015.
Mixed by Caleb James
Mastered by Matthew Gray Mastering
‘1,2,3,4…’is the 4th studio album from Phil Smith, and his second with backing band the Lights. This is about as raw as you get, harking back to the recording ethos of ’70’s era bands like The Stones/ The Band/ Bob Dylan and Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse.
The idea for this album came out of a collaboration Phil had with friend and guitarist Nick Milnes. The songs were written in a month, with one full band rehearsal before hitting the studio with the 6 piece band.
Comprising drums/ bass/ piano/ Wurlitzer/ Fender Rhodes/ Hammond organ plus electric and acoustic guitars this effort was recorded over 2 1/2 days in an old dairy barn west of Brisbane. The band coming to grips with the material as it was being recorded.
Pressing to vinyl for the first time meant the song-list was reduced to 9 songs, which really helps keep the album punchy and succinct from start to finish.
From the harmony laden country-rock opener of Straight & Narrow to the out and out Rolling Stones rock of Living In Sin, this is an album that will have you reaching for the old classics to give them another spin.