Phil Darkins has been involved behind the scenes as a musician, producer, and arranger for years. Rhymes Of Ancient Passion features Darkins’ voice and songs for the first time on a full-length record. In the liner notes he names plenty of influences: “America, The Beatles, Jim Croce, The Eagles…” and on it goes. And fair enough too – for it’s very easy to see the people that have influenced Darkins, and certainly the laidback 1970s “country-rock” sound is something that has left an indelible impression. His voice recalls, at various points, John Denver, Luka Bloom and Graham Nash – with not quite the wavering croak of Neil Young. Original songs like ‘Kat D.T.’ tend to rock out a little, whilst ‘Delightful Dancer’ has a Spanish guitar motif anchoring its sweet melody. Taking nothing away from Darkins’ musical ability and songwriting, it is two covers that really standout on this album. I say this, because being familiar melodies they help showcase his sweet voice. The opening ‘Vincent’ (Don McLean) is just a joy. And later, Roy Orbison’s ‘Crying’ (also covered by McLean, so clearly he’s a major influence too) is re-imagined also. The arrangements are not wildly dissimilar to other versions – but Darkins’ voice is left to soar over soft guitar and piano. A lovely local record.
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Rhymes of Ancient Passion stirs a whole range of emotions.  It has a life of it's own and plays to your mood. Certainly easy listening yet you also find yourself totally drawn in by the inspiring lyrics. Definitely something for everyone on this CD!  I highly recommend it.
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Phil Darkins wears his influences on his sleeve, literally and figuratively. The 14 songs on his debut album play like a who's who of contemporary music. 

Leaving aside his three covers - Don McLean's Vincent, the Roy Orbison classic Crying and Johnny Mathis' Christmas standard When a Child is Born - Darkins moves through styles that range from early Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Bread to Elton John-tempered flamenco and the Chieftains (in Van Morrison mode).

And on the album's sleeve big ups go to groups such as the Doobie Brothers, the Kinsgton Trio, the Eagles and, of course, the Fab Four.

Despite more than two decades of music-making - including stints on television's Opportunity Knocks and That's Country, as a member of Christchurch trio Free Drinx and Wellington's 4 On The Floor, and former host of Radio Avon's dating show The Loveline - Darkins, now living in Karori, is best known in New Zealand as a voice-over artist.

Rhymes of Ancient Passion could change all that. It is a slick, professional and, at times, moving recording of what the Americans term 'adult contemporary'. It's one of those timeless middle-of-the-road performances - and that's not meant in any derogatory sense - that the thousands who flocked to recent Rod Stewart and Neil Diamond concerts enjoy.

Darkins has obvious standing in the msuic industry and he's handpicked some top session musicians to work alongside him on the album.

His country-timged ballads are backed up with some superb harmonica work by the inimitable Neil Billington, while jazz saxophonist Colin Hemmingson, blues pianist Charmaine Ford and ace guitarist Carole Hempson - who worked with Spain's legendary Antonio Vargas when he toured here in 2001 - feature on other tracks. Vocal assistance comes courtesy of veteran Wellingtonian Dave Feehan, Beat Girl Andrea Sanders, Ainslie Allen and others.

"Anyone who didn't like the songs would have been politely asked to leave," Darkins says. "I wanted their honesty, support and energy ... none of them let me down."

Though recorded, mixed, mastered and produced in two months, the package has been carefully thought out, from the track sequence and subtle humour evident in several original compositions to the string arrangements - violins, viola and cello - and the stylish graphics and photography.

Rhymes of Ancient Passion was a labour of love for Darkins; it is also a love song to his wife Natalie. Definitely worth a listen.
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Wellington based broadcaster and musician Phil Darkins presents his debut album after nearly 30 years of songwriting and performing. Most of the 14 tracks are original. Three covers include Roy Orbison's Crying, the Johnny Mathis standard When a Child is Born (a live performance from the 1998 Wellington Carols by Candlelight is reprised as a bonus track), and a tastefully ethereal rendering of Don McLean's classic Vincent which opens the album. The covers differ enough from the original versions to make them stand alone nicely, whereas the original compositions demonstrate variously deep emotion, and a quirky sense of humour that combines at times with an unpredictably nifty lyrical rhythm. Stylistically the album would sit in the middle of the road, with its mellow arrangements and Darkins' smooth, precise voice. Musicianship is shared by too many to mention, but Delightful Dancer is a stand out track of retro style, with the tasty flamenco guitar of Carole Hempton. Exceptionally tight production by Phil Hornblow at Wellington's Vision Studios and mastering by Steve Garden at Auckland's Garden Shed has rendered a well produced and presented album. Further info from www.phildarkins.com . Tim Page
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