American voice

It's been a while since I wrote anything about the Riff House Concerts, but the sonic phenomena that is K Phillips demands I return to it. The man possesses the coolest and most soulful Americana I've heard in a long time.

For those of you who don't know, the Riff House Concerts take place at Tim and Candyce Slusher's living room, and it's a unique, intimate setting for some of the best local and regional shows (especially when they serve those yummy cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches). K Phillips is a perfect fit.

"I will kill your boyfriend if he shows up here," he sings in "Rambler," one of the highlights on the highly recommendable American Girls, his solo debut. "I know it's his house, but I just don't care." He comes with The Concho Pearls, his dynamite band: Stephanie Briggs (Little Brave) on bass and vocals, Daniel Thomas Phipps on guitar and vocals, Jeremy Menking on lead guitar, Phil Hook on drums, Ponder East on sax, and Shane Pitsch (who's played with Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, and Julio Iglesias) on trumpet.

Besides his songwriting capabilities, Phillips is an underrated singer. American Girls should be taught in school under a "This is how you sing on record" course. So check him out and, while you're at it, discover Riff House, one of our most special little temples where musical auteurs (and their listeners) are treated like royalty. The K Phillips show is 8 p.m. Friday, June 29, for a mere $10 suggested donation (your ears will be pampered, and your mouth well fed). RSVP by visiting riffhouseconcerts.com.

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