FAN MEETS ARTIST

PLEASE…listen to the video at the end of this post. If you think Shawn is worthy of more recognition, you can help!

Sign a petition HERE….

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 No since even calling this post a review or critique. I’m not a very good critic of Shawn Phillips, as I’ve been a huge fan for over thirty years. With a style and range of music that can only be defined as eclectic, Shawn has refused to be boxed in by the music industry and practically led the way for the waves of independent rockers now on the scene. Although he did achieve some notoriety in the USA during the 1970’s, he has a much larger following worldwide. Now residing in South Africa with his family, he has toured the States on a limited basis for the last couple of years.

No need for me to review his song choices and every missed note. I’ll just say that Shawn seemed quite happy and his voice was great the night I saw him. His music is very difficult to perform, both vocally and the guitar techniques, so I was so pleased that he was able to use his full range without compromise.

Shawn plays his LesCaster/StrataPaul doubleneck.

Although Shawn never achieved the fame of some of his friends, he seems satisfied with his achievements and says that his defining moment was a standing ovation at The Isle of Wight in 1970.

Shawn Phillips (left) with sekanblogger

A big thanks to UMG for allowing this video (below). WMG should learn a thing or two about common decency.

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January First

http://www.shawnphillips.com/

from the 1974 A&M album
“Furthermore”
AMLH 68278

Shawn Phillips — vocals and guitars
Peter Robinson — keyboards
John Gustafson — bass
Barry deSouza — drums
Caleb Quaye — guitar
Paul Buckmaster — cello
Raul Mayora — percussion

Produced by Jonathan Weston
Engineered by Django Johnny Punter
Assistant Engineer: Mark Dodson
Recorded in England at Rampart Studio, Battersea

I’ll sing you a song of the deepest blue, if you tell me all the colors that you see in the human hue
I’ll sing you a song of the brightest hope, if you show me a man who’s reassured that he can cope
I’ll sing you a song of beige and livid green, if you show me an earth that is slowly getting clean
And I’ll raise your spirit higher, make you tremble with delight, if you lay down all your weapons, if you make the truth your fight
Lay down all your weapons, if you make the truth your fight
If you make the truth your soulmate, keep it with you all the time, then by the grace of God inside, you’ll live in heaven’s clime

If you talk to me of atom bombs, if you explain what they are for, I’ll sing you all the songs I know about a world I see at war
A war that’s greatly based on fear that’s the only way they’ll work, authority and governments they hide behind their smirk
For they think that you don’t know it yet they think you’re not aware, that the potential of the human soul lies just in human care
So won’t you sing this silly song with me, come and give me a gift, we all are one in life and love, we all provide the lift

Stairway To Heaven (for Hicks and Hillbillies)

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CCS ~ Whole Lotta Love

The Collective Consciousness Society, with the theme tune to the former British Institution that was

TOP OF THE POPS!

ELVIS SIGHTING!

This photo is proof that someone not too far from here is a GENUINE REDNECK!

The picture was taken near Welch Oklahoma. Oklahoma is, of course, just Baja Kansas.

Notice the cowboy boot nailed to the porch. What is the license plate for? To keep the rain out of the boot?

Hmmm….most peculiar. Okay Elvis, start the guitar!

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Blunt and Frank

New theme song for “Occupy Wall Street”?

This was recorded in 1975, so it’s not exactly written for today’s protesters, but it sure does stand the test of time.

I’ve heard or read Shawn tell about different song’s lyrics, but not this one. Maybe it was written about the Savings and Loan Scandal. The Bush family did quite well being “bailed out” way back then, over 35 years ago!

Blunt And Frank

Mr. Blunt and Mr. Frank

Were standin’ in the halls of their 7 figure bank

Wonderin’ what in the world

They were gonna do for you

I can take the brunt

If you can take the flank

Explained Mr. Blunt to timid Mr. Frank

Wonderin’ what in the world

They were gonna do for you

We been stealin’ this money most every day

And ain’t nobody caught us in any way

But something’s tellin’ me

Now our goose is cooked

We been raisin’ our prices

On the kiddies ices

And the bedroom suites on the corner store

Don’t you think that they could go up some more?

Then with everybody jivin’

About how to be survivin’

We could bring ’em back down again

And it’s gone full circle

While the world bank wins again

Revolution no solution

To the government’s illusion

That the people are amusin’

With the prices that we’re usin’

And I think that they’re abusing

Everything that we try to do

Defamation to the nation

That is drowning in inflation

Immigration, isolation is a useless tabulation

To the calculation that the world

Is gonna want to come to you

So people in distress gonna worry nonetheless

‘Bout the monetary mess from an educated guess, never really blessed

I think we must confess it now

So people jump and shout,

Everything is out

And I’ve said what I have to say

Everybody sit back

While I get ready to play

Where you gonna go

When the people gonna know

That they’re ripping us off again

Right back down

To the same old hole we been in

Bet your bottom dollar

That you’re really gonna holler

When your friends turn you down again

Not a thin dime

To keep in you in your time of men

———————

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Bluegrass For Old Hippies

When I saw Ozzie with Black Sabbath in 1975, both he and I were too impaired to remember lyrics.

Crazy, but that’s how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe, it’s not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate

Mental wounds not healing
Life’s a bitter shame
I’m going off the rails on a crazy train
I’m going off the rails on a crazy train

I’ve listened to preachers
I’ve listened to fools
I’ve watched all the dropouts
Who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it and you live the role

Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me insane
I’m going off the rails on a crazy train
I’m going off the rails on a crazy train

I know that things are going wrong for me
You gotta listen to my words

Heirs of the Cold War, that’s what we’ve become
Inheireted troubles, I’m mentally numb!
Crazy, I just cannot bear
I’m living with something that just isn’t fair!

Mental wounds not healing
Who and what’s to blame
I’m going off the rails on a crazy train
I’m going off the rails on a crazy train

Bohemian Rhapsody

SUNRISE

IMAGINE….