Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

4. Washington PhillipsWhat Are They Doing In Heaven Today

I chose this because of its haunting quality. He plays an instrument that is hard to identify, people have speculated what it was, I think it’s called a Dolceola, which is like a zither, but it’s got some mystery around it. This is the first compilation of his that I heard. I was at a friend’s house and he had the record on, and I was in that moment right before you fall asleep, where you’re not fully asleep and you’re not fully awake. When I heard this record, it sounded so far away and so haunting with its beautiful melodies. It was like something out of a dream or a memory. 

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