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LINER NOTES
"Another Contribution". I travel quite a lot, if I
enter into a conversation that lasts longer than ten minutes, the
question inevitably arises, after the establishment of my occupation
as a musician,
'What kind of music do you make?' It would be impossible for me to
count the number of times I have been asked that question. The
questioner usually answers their own query by immediately
stating one or another field of conditioned response to the word
music. Country? Blues? Rock? They look at me expectantly, glowingly,
absolutely certain that they have hit the proverbial nail on
the head with one of those three responses. The cocked head, and
crestfallen, perplexed facial expressions that follows with my
answer, has never failed to crack me up, because I always answer
that question by looking straight in their eyes, and saying
'Fulfilling'!!!
"Welcome to the third Shawn Phillips compilation album. Again I have
been asked to pick the songs that I think will comply with my
response to that above mentioned question. I will soon be
celebrating the fact that I have lasted almost 30 years in the music
business. I was even in it when music had something to do with the
business, I might add. Sadly, this is no longer true today. I
stated on the last album that one of the purposes of music was
Enlightenment, as well as Entertainment and Healing. The men and
women of the corporate end of the business of the music, seem
to be deadly intent on adding Endarkenment as one of the purposes!!!
The hue and cry that arose over incidents like the Milli Vanilli
affair and the subsequent knowledge of the deliberate manipulation
of the public, and humiliation of those 2 poor dudes, and their
disappearance put a huge dent in the public trust of the people who
are the powers behind the business of music. With things like the
publication of an article in Rolling Stone Magazine of the
phenomenal Corporate arrogance behind MTV, and their admittance that
they really couldn't give a damn what went out over the air, and
into the minds, hearts, and souls of literally millions of
culturally deprived children, as long as it achieved a profit
margin. I seriously doubt that the trust will ever be regained. It
is my job to negate and try to undo the damage caused by people like
that, and I can only do it in my miniscule way by presenting you,
the listening public, another album of what I believe to be
timeless, fadless, integral, and meaningful compositions, that
hopefully
will manipulate the only thing that should be manipulated ...... our
hearts!!!
While I'm at it, I must inform my listeners that recently (November
15th, 1994), my own heart was quite literally manipulated to the
tune of Quadruple Bypass Open Heart Surgery. 42 years of fat
foods and smoking caught up with me. I would like to give a special
Thanks to all my Friends and Fans who were aware of this procedure
and their encouragement and support. I also would like to
acknowledge the extra-effort put in by my manager Arlo Hennings, Bob
Garcia & staff at A&M in Los Angeles and the staff at Polygram South
Africa."
Shawn Phillips' World Wide Web page site address is
http://dip1.ee.uct.ac.za/music/shawn_phillips.html
Now for the reason you bought this CD. These are the songs I chose
and why.
1. City To City. A song about the rare moments of joy while touring,
and the expectation of doing a fantastic show for the folks that
night wherever we were. Always loved the energy and happiness
behind this tune.
2. Dream Queen. Always considered this a really nice Love Song.
3. Landscape. A favourite of many people. Written in July of 1967 on
the cab ride down to Positano, Italy, the first time I ever set foot
in that country. Visual perception inspired stream of
consciousness lyrics. Actual places do exist, and can be seen today.
4. All The Kings And Castles. One of those tunes where lyrics and
music come simultaneously. Took about 40 minutes to write. Grand
Prize Winner of the Yamaha World Popular Song Contest in
Tokyo in 1973. Blew my mind I'll tell you. Never considered this a
pop song.
5. Talking In The Garden. I remember writing this in Italy, very
early in the morning. Had the music already. I was reading Alexander
Solzenitzens "Cancer Ward" at the time, and remember being
so overwhelmed at his overall human condition and the odds he
overcame. Was a big influence on the lyrics.
6. Springwind. Composed around the time Dylan wrote his famous "The
Times They Are A Changin'". Many of us were aware of the collective
evolution of Human Consciousness and the rapid turns
of events taking place. Musically, one of the most amazing pieces
ever put on a pop record (I believe). The critics were more involved
in being cool, than appreciating the communication that went
on during the recording of this piece. We only did one take.
7. Burning Fingers. This piece always spoke for itself. Give a child
a box of matches, and watch what happens.
8. Believe In Life. If you don't catch onto this song, then you are
in big trouble mate. Loved doing this song onstage with Peter
Robinson on his 8 foot Steinway.
9. Wailing Wall. You ain't never gonna hear this tune on the radio
man. Yet I feel this song comes closer to unifying any of the worlds
known religions, more than anything else I have ever
heard. I remember being very surprised during the recording of this
piece because, after the long note at the end before the last verse,
I brought the guitar back into play, and was amazed that I
was so on the pitch of the note. I thought Yeah Right On!! Done in
one take.
10. What's Happenin' Jim. Written at A&M in a conference room in New
York, while reminiscing on Italy, and looking at the city. Jim, was
and is Jim Creegan, who is now a fine producer in his own
right, and was Rod Stewart's lead guitarist for quite some time, I
believe.
11. See You. Another Love Song, but not necessarily to a person.
12. Serendipity Peace. One of these days, I'm going to relearn this
song and do it on stage again. Lyrics edge very close to the
breakthrough point of transformation of consciousness.
13. Italian Phases
i) Maestoso
ii) Intermezzo
iii) Tristesse
iv) As All Is Played
14. Finale - Peter Robinson
The last of the tunes on here, are finally, after many years, in the
correct order of how they were originally meant to be. "Italian
Phases" never made it to the album "Do You Wonder", because of
the budget problems, and as side 3 of that album was meant to be a
concept side, this omission blew it. Well, finally it's together.
I hope you enjoy this Compilation. I had hoped to have a new album
called "The Truth If It Kills", of brand new material for you, but
unfortunately, the producer decided that his vision was more
important than mine was on my album, so I restricted the release of
what we did to one country. I intend to re-record most of the things
on that album at some point, with live musicians. Look for it
in the future.
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