(Written and arranged by Reynold D. Philipsek 1994 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)
Guitars, vocals, keyboards-Reynold
Drums-Steve Read-Smith
Bass-Luke Kramer
Trombone-Zane Schaefer, Lowell Larson
Engineer-Stymie Seamans
This song’s lyrics were derived from a list of pub names from the London phonebook. My friend, the late Peter Martinsen, was working as a recording engineer in London at the time I began to develop the idea for this song. We were staying with Pete and his wife Geraldine at their apartment near Hampstead Heath at the time.
Peter and I decided to try and visit as many of the named pubs in this song as possible. We did not make it to all of them but did visit many of them which required a lot of train changing, tube stops and walking. Peter was working for the Virgin Records label at the time which was a dream job for him. (Unfortunately, Peter passed on way too young but he is fondly remembered.)
I am reminded of this record because Mary and I spent New Year’s Eve with Pete and Geraldine (1994-1995) in Dartmoor (Two Bridges Hotel) shortly before Pete’s untimely demise. So I will probably forever acquaint New Year’s Eve with this song.
Musically, I really tried to capture the late sixties English pop vibe and I think Stymie and all of the involved players made that happen. I have happy memories of the entire period around the origins of this piece of music. From a production standpoint I think Stymie and I really hit our model. (Hopefully, faint strains of The Beatles, The Small Faces and The Hollies should be clearly heard.
Headphones help “bring out” some of the more subtle parts and stereo imaging in the overall mix.
Be safe.
Be kind.
Love,
Reyn