Peter Phippen
CD Review
9/21/2006
By Troy Espe
Leader-Telegram Staff
When his mother died of Alzheimer’s disease two years ago, ethnic flutist Peter Phippen played “A Silent Place.”
The song appears on his new album, “Shadows of Dawn,” a tribute to his mother, Anita Alice.
The 11-track compact disc of instrumental flute music showcases Phippen’s range as he plays six wind instruments. Eau Claire musician David Roll plays synthesizer, and Jason Introwitz of Chippewa Falls provides percussion.
Phippen has added vocalist Sarah Maurer of Rock Falls to form a quartet.
“This is the best band I’ve ever had,” said Phippen of Eau Claire. “There is no sheet music. You either are feeling it or you’re not.”
Phippen grew up in upstate New York and played bass guitar with a country-western band at age 12. As a teen, he studied bass at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. He moved to Eau Claire 27 years ago after meeting his wife, Julie.
Phippen discovered the flute by accident. He and his wife were furniture shopping in 1987 when he bought a bamboo pennywhistle for 25 cents.
“I failed recorder in fifth grade, but I could play that,” he said.
Within a year, he had 40 flutes from around the world. He now has more than 300 flutes, spanning dozens of civilizations and centuries.
“I do not play traditionally,” he said. “I’m more interested in what sound me and my band can come up with.”
Phippen’s talents have put him on stage with leading American Indian flutists. He was a headliner at the International Native American Flute Association in August in San Francisco. He is scheduled to perform Oct. 14 at the Zion Canyon Art & Flute Festival in Utah.
“Shadows of Dawn” has received rave reviews. The CD is Phippen’s fourth for Canyon Records.
“He’s one of the top artists,” said Kathleen Joyce-Grendahl, executive director of the International Native American Flute Association. “It’s the way he plays. He ekes out every nuance that music can give.”
The album took two years to complete and was recorded in four different studios. Phippen’s son Joshua Daby plays African drums on “Devotion.” “Elysian Fields” is the only song he penned before playing.
“Everything else, we’re winging it,” Phippen said.
Phippen maintains that free spirit during his live shows.
“The type of music I play is living music,” he said. “I do not like to repeat myself.”