By The Time I Get Tomorrow - Review Maverick Feb 2010
Morrison-esque poetic ruminations from deepest Essex
Despite the country punning title, it seems right somehow that Phil Burdett actually calls Chalkwell Park, a small patch of greenery in Southend-on-Sea, home. Southend is a bit run down, a bit beaten up, one of those places that time forgot, forever trapped in the half-remembered heyday of the British seaside. Burdett is the perfect poet for such a place, one part bohemian-era Tom Waits, two parts stream of consciousness Van the man circa-Astral Weeks topped off with the sensibility of Robbie Robertson circa Carny and Somewhere Down The Crazy River (which of course in certain, or perhaps uncertain, light, is exactly where Burdett resides).
A master of imagery and haiku-esque conjuring Burdett, accompanied by guitars, whispered hints of rhythm, thoughtful piano from Rick Dawson but above all some wonderfully hushed backing vocals from Wendy Roberts, Colleen McCarthy and Claire Furley, croons stories of lost loves, the reflections of a man of a certain age ruminating on his life, what he did, what he might have done. Undeniably personal, it’s also hugely thought-provoking, promoting the listener to engage in exactly the same sort of examinations, and as Socrates said, the unexamined life is not worth living so Burdett is definitely on the side of the angels. His vocals, alternately gnarled and tender, are hugely evocative, and in the epic desperate breakup song Bell Wharf Blues he excels himself, pouring draughts of 100° proof truth in great sweeping verses.
Although from time to time things move up a notch, as with February Kind Of Woman’s jazz groove, it’s with the downbeat and pensive that Burdett is most at home, and with this album he announces himself as a man not merely to watch, but to actively seek out.
JS
By The Time I Get Tomorrow ( Will Bray - Americana UK) Home sweet home
Born and bred Essex lad Phil Burdett has roamed his local clubs and been a regular at Leigh Folk Festival for many years. His latest release, ‘By The Time I Get Tomorrow’ is the third record in the series of Burdett’s ‘Unrequited Trilogy’.
The very intricate, earthy acoustic guitar work mixed with the solemn, gravely tone of Burdett’s vocal create an air of mystique about the album Read the full review
By The Time I Get Tomorrow ( review Paulo Buckley - Threshold Records )
You can’t escape your influences and Phil Burdett certainly has a list longer than most. A glance at his MySpace site reveals names ranging from James Joyce to Jimmy Webb and Christopher Hitchens to Tim Hardin. The most obvious, however, has to be that “World Weary Wise Old Wanderer” himself, Van Morrison. With Van merely treading water creatively these days (and all his great songs at least 25 years behind him) it’s good to report that at least one of his acolytes can still produce the goods.
“By the Time I get Tomorrow” is Burdett’s fifth CD and the final part of an ‘unrequited trilogy’ which began with 2001’s “See You Later, Forever” and continued in 2006 with “Dandelion Wishes and Atheist Prayers”. Like the album itself, the front cover is Phil’s most impressive yet. Read full review
“Dandelion Wishes and Atheist Prayers” – Phil Burdett (Released 1 April 2006) 
" 'See You later Forever' is Phil's fourth release and to describe as haunting and just bewitching doesn't do it justice. With echoes of Van Morrison, Jeff Buckley, Brian Wilson and Bob Dylan, it's a bittersweet, poignant and touching affair recalling the ultimately futile chase of a love lost, yearned for, rediscovered and eventually gone for ever...