Album review: PHIL SAATCHI – Sun Come Up

Jobbing Brighton musician , singer, and writer Phil Saatchi’s main claim to fame seem to be collaborations with Sam Brown on her 1990 debut Stop!, and with Phil Manzanera on And The Beat Goes On in 1991. Oh, and a solo album – Stripped – on A&M Records way back in 1987, and more recently Serenity Songs (2006) – a chill out/relaxation album of acoustic guitar and flute, and Eden (2017) – an hour and 20 mins of psychedelic ambient and electronic chill.

Probably the least said about Serenity Songs and Eden the better and, dig a little, and it transpires he only provided backing vocals on the track ‘Walking Back To Me’ on Stop! , and the Manzanera track is some rare/obscure 12” (Italian?) single. Still, how many can genuinely put such names on their CV?

The funny thing is, the first thing that struck me on pressing ‘play’ was Tenderhooks – another Brighton artist/outfit that I’ve reviewed with varying degrees of enthusiasm over the years. And, lo and behold, according to Saatchi’s website he has indeed collaborated with Tenderhooks.

Anyway back to Sun Come Up. It’s actually a decent album. It opens with ‘Time Bomb’ – one of three co-writes with Ian Sugar and one that featured on Sam Brown’s album ReBoot (2000). No wonder I thought it sounded familiar!

‘You Gave Me Gospel’ and ‘Song For A Survivor’ are steeped in Plastic Ono Band / Double Fantasy-era Lennon (perhaps little surprise as Saatchi was the winner of a ‘John Lennon Song Writing Competition’ in 2012), and ‘Not For Sale’ is an undisguised tribute to Cream.

Which just goes to signpost the diversity of the album. But most of the material falls somewhere in between easy-on-the- ear pop/rock. If the mugshot on the back of the sleeve is anything to go by, Saatchi is something of a ‘geezer’, and while it’s best not to pretend he’s on the leading edge of any new wave, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a half decent, well played, tune. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025

HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.