(Composed by Reynold D. Philipsek copyright 2000 Zino-Rephi Music BMI)
Guitars-Reynold
Bass-Jeff Engholm
This song always puts me in mind of a regular Saturday afternoon gig I had with Sidewalk Cafe (a trio I still perform with). The gig was at the Midtown Global Market on Lake Street in Minneapolis. We had that gig for quite a few years.
The song has a nice lilt to it and is appropriate for the title. Though it is one of my older original tunes it remains pretty durable and I still play it on gigs and probably will when gigs resume this summer.
I do think of Django when I play this tune though the rhythm or “le pompe” is less rigid and more loosely swinging than the prototypical gypsy jazz rhythm bed. The harmonic scheme is simple but still has a few twists and turns. I like short forms and my penchant for brevity has been well established. I don’t lean toward long-winded forms or improv sections. I don’t want my music to wear out it’s welcome.
One would think that writing a simple and short piece of music would be relatively easy. Especially for someone who has been making music as long as I have but that just isn’t so. Coming up with a short, concise and memorable melody is extremely difficult. At least it is for me. I have to write ten pieces that are thrown away in order to come up with one “keeper.” But I do keep trying. What else am I going to do? Besides, when you do come up with something the feeling is indeed very satisfying and existence seems justified. For a while at least.
It’s a mixed bag listening to an older recording you haven’t heard in a few years. Sometimes you cringe a little knowing you have made some progress in the intervening years. But, sometimes, you listen and think “Yeh, not too bad.” This falls into the “Yeh, not too bad” category. The fact that Jeff Engholm plays upright bass on this track is further proof as to it’s older vintage as I have not played with Jeff for about 20 years. This track was recorded in St. Cloud on a rare visit there to record at John Hammond’s studio.
Be safe. Stay well.
Video link below: