Wiltern Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
June 4, 1991
audience recording (sound quality VG+; full, satisfying sound; little bit of crowd chatter here and there, but nothing too distracting; also a few very brief anomalies that sound like the taper adjusting the mics)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20181001115851im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hkBK-QSdnUc/UglZ7KQ3poI/AAAAAAAAC24/N0mPbxgTZ2c/s400/Sam+Phillips+-+Cruel+Inv+graphic+by+Bill+Rogers+%2528aka+giveawayboy%2529+via+Flickr.jpg) |
At the time of this show, Sam’s current album was Cruel Inventions.
Bill Rogers created this graphic based on the album’s cover image. |
SAMPLE: "Cruel Inventions" (LA 1991)
01
Go Down
02
Now I Can't Find the Door
03
Standing Still
04
Tripping Over Gravity
05
Cruel Inventions
06
Flame
07
Raised On Promises
08
Lying
09
Trying to Hold On to the Earth
10
These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
Musicians (educated guess re: who played what):
Sam Phillips - vocals, guitar
Michael Blair - percussion
Rick Boston - guitar
T-Bone Burnett (aka "Ogden
Nashville") - additional guitar
Denny Fongheiser - drums
Mark Hart - keyboard
Eric Presley - bass
Sam was opening for Elvis
Costello, who had a 6-night run of shows in 1991, at the Wiltern in L.A. (May 28
& 29, June 3 & 4) and the Greek Theatre in Berkeley (May 31 and June
1). Being the final night of the series, you can hear Sam's confidence and the
musical assuredness of the band. Listen to the gorgeous arrangements, some of
which are creative variations on the album versions (not to mention
the hilariously sardonic between-song commentary by Sam…).
BONUS SHOW:
Sam
Phillips
Boulder's Cover
Boulder, CO
April 1989 (exact
date unknown)
FM recording (sound quality VG++; would have graded this Ex- but some
recurrent vocal distortion earns it a lower rating [it doesn't ruin the
listening experience by any means, but some of you will notice it]). I'm guessing this is a radio broadcast of a
concert that featured more music, but perhaps this is all that was transmitted
or taped…
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20181001115851im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdPFXM9f0nA/UglcbeWaKCI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/7nuf5x2hrjM/s320/Sam-Phillips-h02.jpg)
Sam is so photogenic that Hollywood came calling, and cast her in one of the "Die Hard" movies back in the 1990s — as a terrorist!
01
I Don't Want to Fall In Love
02
The Turning
03
What You Don't Want to Hear
04
Libera Me
05
Carry You
06
Remorse
07
Raised on Promises
08
Flame
09 Trying to Hold On to the Earth
10
Down
11
No One But You
12
These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
This show captures Sam
Phillips during a career transition, featuring mostly songs from The
Turning (her final "Christian"
album under the name Leslie Phillips) and The Indescribable Wow (her first on a "secular" label
as Sam Phillips). Both were produced by T-Bone Burnett, whom she married
between the recording of the two albums. Apparently, Sam really digs that ol' Nancy Sinatra tune...
Musicians:
Sam Phillips - vocals (and guitar?)
Jeff Campbell - guitar
Michito Sanchez - percussion & drums
David Miner - bass "…and everything
else"
Sam's latest fab album is
Push Any Button
Learn more about the music of Sam Phillips