Jerry Phillips’ For The Universe is a declaration of independence that’s been decades in the making from a man who’s spent his life in the shadow of legends and is now stepping into the light.
In a world enthralled by instant gratification, Jerry Phillips’ debut solo album For The Universe is a refreshing anomaly - a record 64 years in the making. As the son of Sam Phillips, the visionary who launched Sun Records and Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis into the stratosphere, he was born into a legacy that could’ve easily overshadowed him. But For The Universe stands as evidence of his own trials and journey, one that reverberates with the echoes of Memphis soul, rock 'n' roll grit, and country heartache. But at its core it’s Memphis through and through - authentic, unfiltered, and unafraid to blaze its own trail.
The album, recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Service, breathes the rarefied air of a studio steeped in history. The final catalyst for the album’s creation came when the studio acquired the original Spectra Sonics console from Stax Studio B, a piece of equipment that had once captured the soul-stirring sounds of Rufus Thomas and Isaac Hayes. Phillips was determined to be the first to record on it, and with the help of co-producer Scott Bomar, he did just that, capturing the magic of a bygone era with his modern take.
The recording sessions were all about spontaneity, echoing the live, unrehearsed spirit that defined the early days of his father’s label. The result is a ten-track trip that takes you through the sounds of Memphis, Muscle Shoals, and beyond. From the raucous, horn-driven “Number One Girl” to the sultry, organ-laden “Treat Her Like She’s Mine,” the album effortlessly moves from rock to country soul, with detours into blues and Gulf Coast swagger. Tracks like “Black Widow Eyes” evoke the dusty plains of West Texas, while “24/6 Not 7,” co-written with Austin’s honky-tonk hero Dale Watson, dives deep into harp-heavy blues. The production team, including the likes of John Paul Keith on guitar, navigates these terrains with ease, making every note feel both rooted in history and fresh for today.
Lyrically, For The Universe is a reflection on the passage of time, love lost and found, and the relentless march of life. “She Let Me Slip Right Through Her Fingers” drips with bittersweet nostalgia, while “Good Side, Bad Side, Side Of Crazy Too” gives a nod to Phillips’ days in the wrestling ring (but that’s a whole other story for another day). The record crescendos with “New Pair Of Everything,” a defiant anthem that’s as uplifting as it is introspective. Closing with “Specify,” Phillips signs off with a swamp-rock groove that echoes the words of Memphis wrestling legend Sputnik Monroe - “Rough, tough, and hard to bluff.” It’s a fitting end to an album that doesn’t take the easy route, much like the man who made it.