Shawn Phillips is one of most fascinating and enigmatic musicians to come out of the early-"70s singer/songwriter boom. The mere fact that he was a musician as much as a singer and songwriter made him stand out, and helped him attract a dedicated following. His refusal to shape his music -- which crosses between folk-rock, jazz, progressive, pop, and classical -- to anyone else"s expectations allowed him to hold onto a large and dedicated cult following, without ever achieving the stardom that his talent seemed to merit.