(Composed and performed by Reynold D. Philipsek 2009 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)
Recorded by Stymie Seamans
I forget the precise year I wrote this song. I think it was about 2008. I do remember how I came up with the idea, however.
I was out for my daily 3.5-mile jog in the wooded area near the “grey chalet” when the main riff came to mind. The harmonic idea of Eminor to C7 was rolling around in my mind as I started the jog. This sort of thing happens a lot.
I must say that the E minor tonality, in general, is recurrent for me. In fact, the first chord I learned in fourth grade when I began playing guitar in earnest was an E minor. The first song I learned “by heart” was “Dark Eyes” in E minor.
At any rate, I also had it in mind to write a song with a “beatnik” theme.
“Beatniks” had fascinated me since I was a kid and watched one of the archetypal beatniks Maynard G. Krebs on the Dobie Gillis television show. I actually wanted to be a “beatnik” in fourth grade.
I hardly think the nuns at St. Anthony’s Grade School thought that was an appropriate career choice, though Sister Assumpta (the kind woman that she was), seemed somewhat amused at the little essay I wrote describing this ambition.
This piece came together quickly the day it came to me. Many of my better pieces like Sans Souci, Butterfly, and Silesian Mist also “occurred” to me this way.
There are three recordings of “Beatnik Pie.” One solo recording on the “Quintessence” album, a group recording with East Side, and this version.
I like all three recorded versions but this one (where I overdub guitars) probably comes closest to the way I originally heard it.
Take care.
Stay safe.
Be kind.
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