A new Phil Judd album?

This is the most exciting news I've heard in years. Someone mentioned something about some samples from the new songs? Are they available anywhere?

Aparently, there's also a demo tape from circa 1977, with some post-enz Phil Judd songs (such as Play It Strange). Are copies / samples available from anywhere?

Sorry... I don't check in here very often.

Hi Mtrudgia

The songs are available through these pages:
New Phil Judd song online and Another new Phil Judd song online!

The 1977 demos have never been officially released. Excerpts from a couple of songs will feature in episode 4 of Enzology. The demo of "Play It Strange" and a 1978 live recording of the song by Split Enz was given away on 100 CDs for the launch of Mike Chunn's Play It Strange trust, but this is not commercially available.

Jaffa

Jaffaman,

Thanks heaps for replying. The songs are awesome. Reminiscent of Swingers, Private Lives and Sound of Trees, more than Enz or OK Alright Ahuh Oh Yeah, IMHO. Has any artist ever had a more distinctive, individual, unique sound?

Do you know Phil? How did you come by this stuff? I only read the story about "Incognito in California" yesterday, previously thinking it was a newish Phil song that Tim had covered, and that they must be at least partially reconciled. I had no idea it was an enz-era song. Tim said in an interview he sought out Phil's ex-wife to find the lyrics to the song, as they were undecipherable on the tape he had... he couldn't ask Phil. Bizarre. How did they co-author Precious Time and Long Hard Road in the late 80s?

Such a fascinating subject, for some reason.

Anyway, I absolutely love the two songs. Can't wait for the album. Any news on a release date?

Hi Jaffaman,

Do you know if Phil will allow one more song here prior to releasing Novelty Act ?

Have you got a link to the song Falling Off a Cloud - I know this was available a while ago online.

Regards

Stever

There's still a bit of work to do, mainly on the art work and bonus chocolate teddies, so there's no release date yet. The album's overflowing with character and brilliant melodies. Definitely worth getting excited about. I imagine Phil will allow me to preview more of "Novelty Act" closer to its CD release.

"Falling Off A Cloud" is a great song. I'm not sure who owns this so I can't offer it to you online right now. I'll ask Phil.

This is a pretty unflattering self-assessment:

Here comes an asshole
Walking on two legs
He don't know how to love
He treats people like ****
He takes it on board
He don't know how to keep afloat
On a sinking ship
(No One's Best Man)

Many thanks for replying Jaffaman - Fingers Crossed that Falling off a Cloud is available to hear.

Regards

Stever

I do agree in thanking Jaffaman,by keeping us all informed of everything
Anticipating new release

From a long term Split Enz fan.

Hello.

I discovered this forum kind of by accident when someone emailed me asking me what a Dizrythmia was when she discovered that my website said one of my favourite albums was Dizrythmia. So I was going to write a long and detailed answer and I thought I might actually provide a link for this person who may not have heard of Split Enz. In doing so I discovered this messageboard. I'd seen this site before but somehow didn't see the messageboard. Dam. What a shame. I could have been here a long time ago!

Anyway, I was totally amazed to learn that Phil is doing a new album, and very excited to hear it. I've been a big phan of Phil Judd and his unique sound since I was really little. My Dad had the Second Thoughts record when I was about 2 and played it at me a lot. I don't remember it from then but I'm sure somehow it sunk in. Much later on I heard "countin the beat" when I was about 6 or 7, cos my Uncle had the record and I played it all the time. This was when I started to get into music and thought the singer sounded really English!
From then on I discovered Split Enz.

The two new songs sound very Phil like, but have more to them than either The Swingers or Schnell Fenster. I really liked a lot of Schnell Fenster, but felt some of the songs were not quite as good as others. Of the two Fenster albums, Okay Alright is the harder to get used to and I remember being sooo excited seeing Fenster for the first time and thinking it was like a new and different Split Enz, with the amazing sound and the incredible arty visuals. So far though, the new Phil Songs seem even catchier and full of more depth. No disrespect to the other Fensters, but I think maybe Phil has done something awesome in totally his own space.

Thanks so much Jaffaman for putting these songs up and thanks to Phil for allowing them to be put up.

I don't pretend to know what Phil is like or who he is, or what kind of person he is, and don't think it's that important. I like the sounds that he makes, and have marvelled at the visual art he has produced that I have seen. Thankyou Phil, if you still check this forum out, you're a true artist. Much appreciated.
Please keep producing material that we can appreciate, in whatever form.

Parallelexism aka controlFunction

I must admit listening to these two songs (which are fantastic and so refreshingly uncommercial) that he seems to have drawn on the best from Split Enz, Swingers and Schnell Fenster. What's going on with Phil 'Tom Waites' Judd (or I could say Phil 'Tim Finn circa 1995" Judd ) on I'm In Love? Is it deliberate to make the song even dodgier (those lyrics in that voice are hysterical and I mean all of this in a goodway) or was it a rough week?

Any updates on this offering? Maybe another mp3 would get people chatting. Phil, speak to us!

NUDESFLASH: Another mp3 from the "Novelty Act" album will be uploaded later this week.

Phil has been taking a break from the album project for the past few months but is intending to record more songs in April. By then, filming of the promotional video(s) should also be underway. The website's on hold for now.

Cool news. Glad he hasnt gone cold on the project. Look forward to the sample.

No, he's never gone cold on it. Phil's been out of action for a few months due to health issues. But he's still ticking along and his heart is still very much into the project.

Fantastic. Hope you're okay Phil. We're all looking forward to your new work. Personally, I'll promote the arse off it. Have been listening to an awful lof of stuff lately but keep coming back to the two Novelty Act demos and loving them. Works of Art. I regret not getting here early enough to actually speak with you. That would be a bit of trip and pretty cool. Don't know if you'll read any of this but I'm sure Jaffaman or someone will at least convey the enthusiasm. Again, love your stuff. Keep it up.

love and respect
Parallelexism aka Jules

As promised, here are two more tasters from Phil's upcoming solo album, "Novelty Act". So that we don't give the game away completely, these are one-minute-long extracts.
Novelty Act (mp3 sample)
Fire Extinguisher (mp3 sample)

Jaffa

leaves me hungry for more! can't wait for the official release! thnx Jaffaman!

Thanks Phil and Jaff. Frustratingly short but from these samples Phil sounds in fine form.

Wow! These clips sound great! You can tell that Novelty Act will be Phil Judd fully unleashed! He's letting loose his whole arsenal-size bag of tricks and one gets the feeling this might be his most personal statement in music yet.

Everything's relative and all that, but in the context of the here and now and in the realm of his pop music endeavours, Novelty Act is shaping up to be his greatest work yet.

Upon it's release, I've made a vow to come out of my semi-retirement as a music journalist. I will be writing a review of Novelty Act. So far, nothing else has gotten me excited enough to start writing about music again.

Thank you, Phil! Thank you, Jaffa!...for these great previews. I hope Phil is feeling much better and that his ill health was nothing serious.

So, what does everyone think of these new clips from Novelty Act???