SHAWN PHILLIPS Albums - Tracks, Liner Notes, Credits and Special Notes
 
 

NO CATEGORY 2002

Credits
Liner Notes
 Supporters of No Category
Acknowledgements and Special Thanks
 Read About Recording No Category
Fans Review No Category

 
 
LYRICS
SIDE ONE    
TIME TITLE COMPOSER
  Moonshine                        Read what Fans say about Moonshine Shawn Phillips
  This song is a remake of the original done on "Collaboration". Over the years of playing it in concert it took on a much more aggresive funk feel. I think it slams this way. Thanks Pete for your intro and ideas, and thanks guys for doing the last take without the click. It jams!  
For the Lost and Lonely Shawn Phillips
  Loneliness is the singular most difficult thing we all have to deal with at one time or another. I think the song's words speak for themselves, so I kept it very simple. No arrangement  
Fondest Dreams Shawn Phillips
  A song for my wife, Juliette, and how I feel about her. In all honesty, I must thank Thomas Newton for his musical inspiration - from the theme to "Six Feet Under".   
Moneydance Shawn Phillips
  We live in a world where we sometimes forget that money is not the source of life, or our inner peace, which is inherent at birth.  
I Will Never Leave Shawn Phillips
  I think that if you truly love someone, and it is reciprocated this is the way you feel.  
Calico and Rainbows Shawn Phillips
  I had been playing these little guitar riffs for some time and as usually happens, the words just fell into play one day. Truth be known, it isn't the easiest thing in the world to play and sing this simultaneously.  
The Man Shawn Phillips
  Although somewhat oblique, this is a song about the people who do the most difficult and dangerous jobs on earth, and we don't acknowledge them anywhere near the way we should. Also it is about us and the way we look at life sometimes.  
The Power of A Woman Shawn Phillips
  The fact of the matter is that women have always been the more powerful of the species. It's just masculine idiocy to believe otherwise.  
Most of Us Don't Understand At All Shawn Phillips
  I wrote this song after spending 5 days digging people out of an 8.1 earthquake in Italy, in 1980.  
Free Samples Shawn Phillips
   I once was a busker on the streets of London, and 30 years later found myself singing on Third St. in Santa Monica. A homeless man looked into my tip bowl and asked if they were free samples. I gave him a dollar. Two weeks later he went by again - I sang him the song and he gave me my dollar back.  
Try to Find a Way Shawn Phillips
  We covet youth, beauty and celebrity so much that we forget who makes the world work, and those that believe in that state of vanity so much create their own set of problems, that we needn't be worried about.  
  One Way Ticket Shawn Phillips
  Inspired by the moment in the movie, "The Abyss". Don't try to change the person you love. They are who they are.  
  Sleep Pretty Baby Shawn Phillips
  Occasionally you write a song just for fun. This is one of those.  
  The Peace Song Shawn Phillips
  One of the two most important songs I have written. The first being "Moments"   on the "Beyond Here Be Dragons" album. In today's world and it's insanities  that are based on totally intangible thought-belief systems, we need to remember that peace emanates from each and every single human being, and it is a real and attainable goal, not some new-age mystical mumbo-jumbo. As you listen to the preamble of this piece, I want you to read these words :

"Throughout the unlimited reaches of the universe, there are only two constants - Chaos, and Life. On one of the outermost limbs of the galaxy designated the Milky Way, there is a very small solar system with a G type star at it's center. On the third planet from this star, due to a combination of chemicals raised to consciousness, there is a sentient species that has arrived at a moment of crucial decision. Where acceptance and harmony ensure life, and greed and fear ensure death. What most of them don't understand, is that the only difference it makes, is to them."		   
  Par for The Course Shawn Phillips
  Anyone who has ever played in a band, or been on a stage in a bar filled with an apathetic crowd can relate to this.  
  Song Notes, Shawn Phillips, May 22, 2002  
CREDITS
Producer/Arranger : Paul Buckmaster (Grammy Award  for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist Paul Buckmaster 2001(Train, Drops of Jupiter))
Credits include, Elton John, Miles Davis,
The Grateful Dead, Shawn Phillips

Producer/Singer/Songwriter :Shawn Phillips

Sound Engineer : Rick Hart (a man whose hearing should be insured for more than J.Lo's butt)
Credits include, Pink Floyd, David Gilmore,
Andy Gibb, Pat Benatar; film credits include Bulworth, Seven, Home Alone, etc

Bass guitar : Leland Sklar. Credits include Phil Collins, Reba McIntyre, innumerable others

Drums : Ralph Humphrey. Credits include Frank Zappa and the Mothers, Al Jarreau,
Wayne Shorter, Bette Midler, Larry Carlton, Barbra Streisand, Manhattan Transfer.  Check out Darkwing and Drummerworld for more on Ralph's career.

Guitar : Mike Miller.Credits include Chick Corea, Gino Vanelli, innumerable others

Piano/arranger : J. Peter Robinson. Credits include - countless films, TV series and musicians

Photography : Mark Colman, Commercial Photography

Recorded and mixed at Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys, LA, - owners, Melody, Gary, (Abigail and The Dude)(dogs), Denton.
LINER NOTES
  "No Category" is an apt title for any Shawn Phillips album. This restless iconoclast has long bedeviled his critics and delighted his legion of fans with his unpredictability. From true folk music to cutting edge electronica, Shawn has traversed formidable musical landscapes in pursuit of his very personal muse. Perhaps the only musical form he has not yet committed to disk is Death Metal. Still, if some new political chicanery makes him mad enough. The Shawn Phillips aesthetic has led him at times far from commercial surety. Fans have heard the famous anecdote about fellow Texan musician Johnny Winter asking him how he got so far away from his roots. "Therešs a whole tree above the ground!" Shawn quipped. Concert-goers in the mid-seventies were astounded to find Shawn fronting an incarnation of the ferocious prog-rock trio, Quatermass. He was playing a double-neck electric guitar on that tour, more like Jimmy Page than Ravi Shankar. Fans who expect to find in Shawn a reincarnation of a Tibetan Lama are startled to find a twangy Texan accent and a salty sense of humor. Therešs Shawn, singing background on a Tangerine Dream album. If you rent the cult movie, "Futurekick," you can watch Shawnšs head explode. Seriousness, yes, but also a lilting sense of play.
Through all these changes, however, the listeners are still haunted by the monumental works with which Shawn ushered in the 1970's; "Contribution", "Second Contribution" and "Collaboration." If not for record company timidity, the original trilogy of albums Shawn had created for his first work for them, would have been released as a single triple album. Its cumulative power and compositional arc would have been readily evident. While much of that material surfaced on later LPs, other portions remain tragically unreleased. (Fortunately,all the classic Shawn Phillips music that was issued has now been re-released on CD.) If one listens to the three initial seventies classics, "Contribution", "Second Contribution" and "Collaboration." in order, the journey through body, into realms of soul and heart, then back to earth, is thrilling and haunting.
"No Category" begins with a reworking of "Moonshine," one of the more intriguing songs from "Collaboration." This should serve as a subtle clue to the listeners. After all these years, Shawn has returned to his epic: this is the album you were waiting for. The muse has been satisfied, fed, romanced. The artist can return to his birth and take us deeper into those first enchanted hours. From tangos to semi-country, to traditional Shawn Phillips vocal workouts to nearly gothic orchestrations, "No Category carries forward the work of the trilogy, and it reaffirms the endless quest of the artist to find voice in the face of our deathly silence.
Oh yes, and when hešs not being a rock star, Shawn Phillips is a fireman. Go figure.

Luis Alberto Urrea
www.luisurrea.com

SPECIAL THANKS  to the following individuals whose support made No Category possible:
BILL PURSLEY ­ executive producer
ARLO HENNINGS ­ management
Amy and Gary Lawless, Barbara Schuler, Bill Hall, Bonnie/Donald Niles, Bruce and Nancy Huckaba, Bruce Gerboth, Bruno Carozzi, Bruno Manusso, Cara Barnhardt, Michael & Cathy Murphy, Christian Cron - FRANCE, Cindy Don Carlos, Colleen Patterson, Dana J. Armstrong , Dave Smith , David Marks , Deborah K. Wright , Deborah L. Markakis , Denise Marie Danielski , Donald Sajda , Donna Zoe Grabow , Donato La Rocca , Douglas & Christina Warren , Edward & Karen A. Jones , Francois Trahan , Gary Swift , Helene Soucy , Helmut J. Sommer , James T. Knight III , James W Genevieve K Gorst , Jane Allen , Jean Boissonneault and Diane Francoeur , Jerome and Janice Lepinski , Joe & Annette Jones , Joe & Charlotte Rossi , John Tafolla , John Rouleau , Judi Schneider , Kathleen & Filmore Enger , Ken Lyles , Kent Whitaker , Kirk & Michelle Goodman , Kirtland C. Patterson , La Rocca Donato , Linda S. Cornwall , Lucie Lalumiere , Luis Alberto Urrea , Margaret & Maria Dolge , Marie Ortiz , Mark Armitage , Mark/Jane Mohr , Martha Jacobs , Michael Dean , Michael Schwartz , Mike Evangelist , Patrick Sager , Patrick Thielke , Paulo & Celine Medeiros , Peter D. MacArthur , Randy Storer , Riccardo Mei "Jazz Singer" , Richard Worth , Robert Aerts , Robynn Nielsen , Ronnee Ringquist , Sheryl Meyers , Steve "Jake" Jacob , Steve Wixon , Steve Ross & Vicki Ross-Rhoades , Stuart and Robin Nixon , Stuart Blackwell , Stuart Stevenson , Suz Croutwater & Bob Wilke , The Wickey's , Theo Coetzee , Thomas A. Cichowicz , Thomas and Sheryl Koby , Tina Medvec , Tony van Kessel , Volker Schmidden
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and SPECIAL THANKS
In all the names that follow, I wish it to be known that I thank you first and foremost for your friendships. It is the most important thing. I love you all. I cannot express enough deep felt thanks to Mr. Bill Pursley, and the guys in Louisville for their support. They are Nick Gardner, and Lee Zimmerman. Without them, and their immense faith none of this would have come into being. Especially Mr. Bill Pursley, and his enormous financial assistance. In order to create a project of this scope, and quality, you need a serious investor who is prepared to take a chance in the business of music, as it is today. For the most part, the bottom line is very simply to play the music that will make the most money, not the music that will move peoples hearts and minds. Radio formats are extremely restricted due to demographics, and as I do not fit any of these formats, I know that Bill has done this simply because of his faith in the fact that he knew I could create something that would affect another human being, as it did for you. Thank you, Bill.
Arlo Hennings, my manager, has the patience of Job, when it comes to my sometimes incredible requests of him. I thank you so much for your belief and support all these lean years. Although we would like it to be otherwise, by your actions, it has not been all about the money, but more about the music and what it does for people.
Other thanks go to Ed Grundman for his valuable input and creative ear, and his delicious Tri-Tip steaks.
Also to Rick Hart for his devastating Margaritas after the work day was over. Not to mention the incredible amount of hours, and sheer perseverance in obtaining the best recording, and mixing possible. You worked harder than anyone on this project.
Bernie Grundman who mastered this CD, is awash in music 24/7. Grazie Mille Bernie,, for your time, and attention to detail on this project. Melody, and Gary Denton at Stagg St. Studios, for making it feel like home, and letting Fat Jack, and the Abigator, and Dude the dogs become friends. State of the art is your middle name. Eric Gobel, our second engineer, is a master at the technology that was used in the making of this CD, and we all thank you for your expertise in this project. I dub thee "Merlin Of The Machines". Leland Sklar, you take the simplest tune, and shape it into a sphere of beauty that we feel in our bones. Thank you for your gentleness and humor.
Ralph Humphrey, you are rock solid in your timing, and most astute in your creative input. Thanks for haulin' all that stuff around to make sounds for us.
Mike Miller, you have probably forgotten more than I know how to play, and your voicings reflect precisely the tenor of the songs, and that is so rare. Thank you.
To J. Peter Robinson, for his extraordinary musical creativity. I asked you for the opening of "Alien", and you gave it to me. You are, and always have been musically, the funkiest man alive. The years of playing with you have proved this. Nobody jams like you. Your brass is bright and shining, and your sounds astounding.
Paul Buckmaster, you are also an absolute Master at your craft, and it is an honor to be able to work with you. If I ask you to make it sad, you make it devastating. If I ask you to make it joyous, you fill our hearts with light. Your quest for perfection will always be a beacon for me to follow.
As for Juliette, you are my guiding light. You keep me on the straight and narrow, and inspire me in ways you will never know. I love you with all my heart and soul. Your sense of good and right, is impeccable. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. You're my mos' favorite.
Ed and Bonnie Booth,, your support has been invaluable. Ed, you know I would have loved to be able to follow in your footsteps.
Mark Colman, you made me look 30 years younger with your photography. Not any prettier, just younger. Thanks Rochelle for the attempt. Mark, your work is absolutely unique.
Luis Urrea, You capture the deeds of the human heart and soul in every word you write, and it's an honor to have you focus that gift on this CD for the liner notes, and thank God you sent me those cartoons years ago. Truth be known, you always knew how to be famous, blood.
Suz, You're a fantastic webmaster. Every person I come in contact with says they think it's a wonderful website. Be sure to visit www.shawnphillips.com to find out about the new DVD that will be released in the near future.
Jean Boissonneault, Thank you for your work, and diligence on the Canadian website. You have no idea how much work I would have forgotten, if not for you. Margaret and Maria, I thank you, Jules thanks you, and Fat Jack thanks you.

Special thanks to Pedernales Emergency Services for training me, and letting me work with you these 8 years in the bleak and dangerous world of saving lives, and property. Chief 1 Ken Van Rens Advanced FF (701), Chief 2 Don Lamb Advanced FF (702), Chief 3 Mark Warren FF / EMT-B / MFRU (Training Officer 742), Larry Mobley FF / EMT-B (703), Captain Tracey Mobley FF / EMT-B / MFRU (707), ( spooky in there ain't it dude ? ), Lt. Bruce Perkins FF / ECA (706), Lt. Steve Rudkin FF / ECA (761), Captain John Roye Jr. FF (708), Chuck "The Tin Man" McCarthy FF / EMT-B (765), Daniel Lightsey FF / EMT-B (741), Tod Grubbs FF / EMT-B (732), Jim Preslar FF (767), our resident Paramedic Larry Arms EMT-P (704), Juliette Phillips FF / ECA (768), Burris Pigg EMT-B (740). Thanks Burt, for your stoicism and feduciary attitude when I'm driving us in the ambulance Code 3. I know your feet hurt after pushin' so hard on the floorboard. And to all the other members who have shown me you trust me with ! your lives by letting me back you up. When it happens, it's the hardest work in the world, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Thank you all.
Legend: FF= Firefighter / EMT= Emergency Medical Technician / ECA= Emergency Care Attendant / MFRU= Marine Firefighter Rescue Unit ( Rescue SCUBA Diver)

Last but not least, I want to thank all my fans who have listened, and believed in me all these years. Without your sponsorship, and faith, my creative spirit would have left me a long time ago. God Bless You All!!!  May Health, Love, and Clarity, always be with you, and your families.
Shawn Phillips FF / EMT-B / MFRU (760)
 
 

 

 
 
 
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