Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS & RELATED ARTICLES

Uncut FEBRUARY 2009 - by Terry Staunton

PHIL MANZANERA: THE MUSIC 1972-2008/FIREBIRD VII

Roxy axeman's sonic CV, plus a new solo set

A perpetually restless and curious fellow, Manzanera continues to delight and surprise by testing both his instrument and his own ability. The two-CD compilation and insightful DVD guide favours the guitarist's more experimental work with Roxy Music (Amazona, Prairie Rose) and various Brian Eno collaborations (Needles In The Camel's Eye, Miss Shapiro). Lesser-known solo projects also get a look-in, Phil describing one passage as "ten minutes of weirdness". Firebird VII is a jazzy/avant-garde instrumental suite written for his signature Gibson guitar, but its playful and accessible tone confidently side-steps any accusations of self-indulgence.