Old-school blues sound with a modern twist is what guitarist Philip Sayce’s album Influence is all about. He reminds me of the love child of Jimmy Hendrix and Gary Clark Jr. in that he burns it up with his guitar and chills it out with his vibrato. Both voice and guitar are powerful instruments for this guy. Showing he is a younger artist who knows about what came before him, Welsh-born, but presently a resident of Toronto, Philip Sayce has included a couple of covers on the album that demonstrate that he knows good music. Solid versions of Graham Nash’s “Better Days” and Little Richard’s “Out of My Mind” are here to be discovered. Most of the tracks are examples of music that influenced him as a young artist. Most of the album would have been comfortable if released during the late sixties or early seventies; it has that kind of psychedelic wailing sound to it. Intensity can be found on most tracks and it will draw you in then envelope you. Like Hendrix before him, Sayce never seems to run out of energy in regards to his guitar playing. Making it a complete experience his backing band (especially the drummer) is more than able to keep up with him.
Philip Sayce – Influence
