Phillips 66

"Phillips 66" is the third and final solo album from John Phillips, and the last recordings of his entire musical career. John passed away just days after completing the sessions for this album.

After The Mamas and The Papas split up at the end of the Sixties, John recorded his first solo album, "The Wolfking of LA". Produced by Lou Adler, the original producer of The Mamas and The Papas, this album featured a stellar studio line=up, including drummer Hal Blaine, Elvis Presley and Rick Nelson guitarist James Burton, bassist Joe Osborn, pianist Larry Knechtel, Buddy Emmons and Red Rhodes on pedal steel, Darlene Love singing back up, and fiddle player Gordon Terry.

Although begun in the 70's, John's second solo album, "Pay Pack & Follow", was not released until just after his passing. ("Pay Pack & Follow" is also available on Eagle Records). John, as a solo artist, was the first artist signed to the newly-formed Rolling Stones Records in 1976, and the album was co-produced by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, with musical contributions by Mick and Keith, Mick Taylor, Ronnie Wood, and Michelle and Mackenzie Phillips.

"Phillips 66" completes the album trilogy, named thusly by John because he would have been turning 66 years old around the time planned for the release of this album. It consists of many songs John never got around to recording until now. While some of them are famous through their connections with different artist, others are more recent and yet as important.

In total they form a valuable addition to the body of work of one of America's most influential and unsung singer/songwriters.


1. California Dreamin'
(J. Phillips / M. Phillips)

"Callifornia Dreamin'" recounts the events of an actual day John and Michelle Phillips shared in New York City in the 60's. While in bed that same night, John woke Michelle with the idea for the song, which they proceeded to complete and write down before the sun came up.

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.

California Dreamin'
On such a winter's day

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
I got down on my knees, and I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay

California Dreamin'
On such a winter's day

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
If I didn't tell her
I could leave today

California dreamin'
On such a winter's day

California Dreamin'
On such a winter's day
On such a winter's day

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: Will Lee
Piano: Leon Pendarvis
Hammond organ: Paul Shaffer
Acoustic Guitar: Sid McGinnis, David Baxter
Percussion: Debra Dobkin
Trumpet: Steve P. Madaio
Backing vocals: Fernando Gonzalex, Ariel A. De La Rosa
Palm Springs Contractor: Pat Rizzo


2. Me and My Uncle (J. Phillips)

John often used to tell the story behing "Me & My Uncle". Years ago he began receiving publishing royalties from a song on a Judy Collins record with which he was unfamiliar. It was titled "Me and My Uncle". He called Judy to let her know of the mistake, because he hadn't written any such song. She laughed and told him that about a year before, in Arizona after one of her concerts, they had a "Tequila" night back at the hotel with Stephen Stills, Neil Young and a few others. They were running a black cassette, and John proceeded to write "Me & My Uncle" on the spot. The next day, John woke up to the tequila sunrise with no recollection of the songwriting incident. Judy kept the cassette from that evening, and then without informing John recorded the song for her own record. Over the years the song was recorded by several people and eventually became a standard of The Grateful Dead. John used to joke that, little by little, with each new royalty check, the memory of writing the song would come back to him.

This is the first release of John's own performance of the song.

Me and my uncle, went ridin' down
From Colorado, West Texas bound
And we stopped off, in Santa Fe
That bein' the point, that's about half way
'Sides it was the hottest part of the day

We led our ponies, into a stall
Went to the bar boys, bought drinks for all
Two days in the saddle, my body hurt
It being summer, I took off my shirt
Tried to wash off some of that dustand dirt

West Texas cowboys, all over town
With gold and silver, they're loaded down
Just back from roundup, did seem a shame
So my uncle, starts a friendly game
Called hi-lo Jack and winner takes the gain

From the beginning, my uncle starts to win
And them cowboys, they're mad as sin

Some say he's cheatin', but that can't be
Cause my uncle, he's as honest as me
And I'm as honest as a Denver man can be
One of them cowboys, thought for to draw
I took a bottle, cracked him on the jaw
I winged another, doubt he'll see old
In the confusion, my uncle grabbed the gold
And we hightailed down that road to Mexico

So here's to cowboys, and here's to gold
Here's to uncle, God rest his soul
He taught me well boys, taught me all I know
Taught me so well boys that I took his gold
And I left him layin' by the side of the road
And I left him layin' by the side of the road
And I hightailed down that road to Mexico

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: John Reagan
Electric Piano & Hammond Organ: Leon Pendarvis
Accoustic Guitar: Sid McGinnis, David Baxter
Electric 12 string Guitar: David Baxter
Electric guitar: Chris Spedding
Percussion: Debra Dobkin
Backing Vocals: Dillon O'Brian, Davey Faragher
John Phillips, Bill Cleary


3. Babies (J. Phillips)

Many of John's songs were based on personal experiences or the experiences of people surrounding him. One of his self-described methods for inspiration was "turning tragedy into publishing". This song serves as an example.

Three little babies on a big silver bird,
Flying through heaven tonight
Promise Lord, I'll always keep my word
Just let'em make it alright

Three little babies on a big silver bird,
Flying through heaven tonight
Promise Lord, I'll always keep my word
Just let'em make it alright

Every year about this time,
She wants her freedom
And she calls me on the phone
She says can you take the kids and
Can I get some money
'Cause you know I need some time of my own

Well, I pretend that I don't really love them
But the truth is I just can't wait to hold them
In my heart
And I pretend that I still really love her
But the truth is I'm glad we had to part

Three little babies on a big silver bird,
Flying through heaven tonight
Promise Lord, I'll always keep my word
Just let'em make it alright

Three little babies on a big silver bird,
Flying through heaven tonigh,BR> Promise Lord, I'll always keep my word
Just let'em make it alright

She's got a strict regime of health and food
And fashion
But the laugh lines on her face make her look old
She's living out her life with no passion
And the ice water in her veins makes her cold

Three little babies on a big silver bird,
Flying through heave tonight
Promise Lord, I'll always keep my word
Just let'em make it alright
Make it alright
Make it alright

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: Will Lee
Piano: Leon Pendarvis
Hammond Organ: Paul Shaffer
Acoustic Guitar: Sid McGinnis, David Baxter
Electric Guitar: Chris Spedding
Percussion: Debra Dobkin
Backing Vocals: Dillon O'Brian, Davey Faragher,
John Phillips, Bill Cleary


4. Slow Starter (J. Phillips)

This was written by John for one of his daughters, Bijou. He said that as a child she was always in a rush to grow up and be like the older kids.

Cheer up slow starter
Don't give up or try any harder
Stop looking at racing cars
Just follow your own stars
In the end they'll still be there
When you're finally going somewhere

You're a million dollar kid with all your crazy ideas
Don't be discouraged if you're not one of your peers
Some kids don't talk till they're four
Doesn't mean that they're dumb
They just wanna be sure they're invited to come

Cheer up slow starter
Don't give up or try any harder
Stop looking at racing cars
Just follow your own stars
In the end they'll still be there
When you're finally going somewhere

You all know the fable of the tortoise and the hare
They raced face to face at the county fair
The hare left the tortoise at the starting gate
But stopped to have his fun
The tortoise set a steady pace
And in the end he had won

Cheer up slow starter
Don't give up or try any harder
Stop looking at racing cars
Just follow your own stars
In the end they'll still be there
When you're finally going somewhere

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: Will Lee
Piano, Electric Piano & Hammond Organ: Leon Pendarvis
Acoustic Guitar: Sid McGinnis, David Baxter
Electric Guitar: Chris Spedding
Percussion: Debra Dobkin
Backing Vocals: Dillon O'Brian, Davey Faragher,
John Phillips, Bill Cleary


5. Average Man (J. Phillips)

This was one of John's favorite songs, released here for the first time.

I'm much older than the average man
That you date
And I can be colder than the average man
That you hate
You're so much prettier than, anything the average
Man could appreciate

I'm Sixty-five, still alive
And I'm feeling great

It was an average night,
You were a lovely sight for me to see
But when I saw you there I never thought that you,
You were meant for me
I'm just an average man pullin' an average scam
With nobility
I'm sixty-five, I'm still alive
And I'm feeling free

I stared into my drink, and I began to think,
Think about me
Thinkin' on my average life,
And my wasted opportunities
I got up from my stool, I felt like a silly old fool
I said lady, will you dance with me
We danced all night long, 'til we cracked the dawn
And you came home with me

Every now and again
We meet and then we celebrate
When the moon's in the wind
And the willow won't bend, we never hesitate

You're so much prettier than anything the average
Man could appreciate
I'm sixty-five, still alive
And I'm feeling great

You're so much prettier than anything the average
Man, could appreciate
I'm sixty-five, still alive
And I'm feeling great

I'm sixty-five, still alive
And I'm feeling great

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: Will Lee
Electric Piano: Leon Pendarvis
Acoustic Guitar: Sid McGinnis, David Baxter
Electric Guitar: Chris Spedding
Percussion: Debra Dobkin


6. She Got She (J. Phillips)
John wrote this song on a cruise-ship voyage in the Carribean. The tropics also inspired John when he wrote the song "Kokomo" about his visits to the island of Mustique. John's original version of "Kokomo" was adapted and modified by The Beach Boys and Terry Melcher for the film "Cocktail", starring Tom Cruise.

Ooh La La La, Ooh La Ooh La La La, Ooh La
Ooh La La La, Ooh La Ooh La La La, Ooh La

She got she eyes She got she lips
She got she cheeks She got she hips
She got she legs She got she arms
She got the 'bility to charm

She got she new dress She got she new hat
She got she love for a boy named Scat
She got she style She got she grace
She got this, but she ain't got that

Ah, the game of love
That's all anyone here is really thinking of
Ah, the game of love
That's all anyone here is really thinking of

She take she walk He take he look
She wonder if she baited the hook right

He get a smile She look away
And now they begin to play

Ah, the game of love
That's all anyone here is really thinking of
Ah, the game of love
That's all anyone here is really thinking of

They start to sing He buy she ring
Soon now the church bells ring
He take she hand She understand
The baby be here by spring

Ah, the game of love
That's all anyone here is really thinking of
Ah, the game of love
That's all anyone here is really thinking of

That's all anyone here is really thinking of

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: John Regan
Piano: Leon Pendarvis
Farfisa Organ: John Kito
Electric Guitar: Sid McGinnis, Chris Spedding
Acoustic Guitar: David Baxter
Percussion: Debra Dobkin
Backing Vocals: Dillon O'Brian, Davey Faragher


7. Boys From The South (J. Phillips)

Another autobiographical song. It made its first appearance in the 70's in the Nicolas Roeg film "The Man Who Fell To EArth", starring David Bowie and Buck Henry. John created the soundtrack for the film.

He was born, in Dixie, on a sultry summer night
He was born, in Dixie and his mamma raised
Him right

All the boys from the South can play the guitar,
Dance the tap or sing
They stand when a lady enters the room,
'Cause they love to see her swing

All the boys from the South been to boardin' school,
But it didn't hurt them none
'Cause they boys from the South they ain't no fools,
They're just natural charmin' gentlemen

Take a Southern boy with a touch of Poe,
Layin' 'round fishin' in the sun
While somebody else is out runnin' around,
Trying to get things done

But I'll bet you
Five'll get you two,
I know who's finally won
It's the son of the South, he never has to sweat
He's a natural charmin' gentlemen

He was born in Dixie on a sultry summer night
He was born in Dixie and his mamma raised
Him right

All the boys from the South can play the guitar,
Dance the tap or sing
They stand when a lady enters the room,
'Cause they love to see her swing

All the boys from the South been to
Boardin' schools
But it didn't hurt them none
'Cause the boys from the South, they ain't no fools,
They're just natural charmin' gentlemen

Yeah the boys from the South they ain't no fools,
They're just natural charmin' gentlemen

Yeah the boys from the South they ain't no fools,
They're just natural charmin' gentlemen

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: John Regan
Hammond Organ: Leon Pendarvis
Acoustic Guitar: Sid McGinnis, David Baxter
Electric Guitar: Chris Spedding
Piano: Paul Shaffer
Percussion: Debra Dobkin
Backing Vocals: Dillon O'Brian, Davey Faragher,
John Phillips, Bill Cleary

8. There is a Place (J. Phillips)
John wrote this song for an "Off-Broadway" musical he created in the early 70's after leaving The Mamas & The Papas and was relocating from Los Angeles to New York City. The show was originally called "Man On The Moon", and later "Space". It was produced by Andy Warhol. There is a place between two stars
Somewhere in Space that's yours, it's ours
We'll watch the worlds roll by
And never even think of dying
There is a place in Space that's ours

There is no room for me, here
No room to raise a family, here
Not enough to eat
The wind doesn't smell sweet anymore
There is a place in Space that's ours

People everywhere are inclined to stare
I feel a need for privacy, dear
Feel like it's its a dream
I'm caught in the big machine
I'd like a star of my own
There is a place in Space that's ours.

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: Will Lee
Hammond Organ: Paul Shaffer
Acoustic Guitar: Sid McGinnis, David Baxter
Electric Guitar: Chris Spedding
Percussion: Debra Dobkin


9. Campy California (J. Phillips)

A different take on the "California Dream" theme

Campy California families,
Well everybody's so annoyed
Three generations in an old RV
No one's overjoyed

Grandma's off her 'cause there's
No front porch
And Grandpa's always stopping us to void
Mama used to say that God was testing our faith,
But now she's reading too much Freud

Yeah it's hard, so hard
Hard times for a family man
Yeah it's hard, so hard
Hard tiles all across the land

Daddy used to work for the aerospace,
So now of course he's unemployed
Billy's learned to play the blues guitar
And sister's foolin' 'round with boys

Everyboy's use to having their own space
But now they've find it's been destroyed
Mama just talks about her breakdown,
She's a definite to avoid

Yeah, it's hard, so hard
Hard times for a family man
Yeah, it's hard, so hard
Hard times all across the land

Billboards, blue skies, Disneyland lives
My, isn't San Diego sweet
Cue cards, die hards and waterfront dives
There's someone you just have to meet

Camp California caravans,
Composed only of the elite
You know that everybody's racingto the promised
Land, where the freeways meet

Yeah it's hard, so hard
hard times for a family man
Yeah it's hard, so hard
Hard times all across the land

Yeah it's hard, so hard
Hard times for a family man
Yeah it's hard, so hard
Hard times all across the land

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: John Regan
Piano: Leon Pendarvis
Hammond Organ: John Kito
Electric Guitar: Sid McGinnis, Chris Spedding
Acoustic Guitar: David Baxter
Percussion: Debra Dobkin
Backing Vocals: Dillon O'Brian, Davey Faragher
John Phillips, Bill Cleary


10. Gram's Song (J. Phillips)

John and Gram Parsons were friends from the time Gram was a teenager. Gram used to stay at John's house, where they'd ride motorcycles and play each other songs they had just written.

Born in Misissippi Delta
Cradled in Spanish moss
A boy who could sing like an angel
Too bad his stars got double crossed

He had that sweet country sound
But they never made the record like they said

Cockney gangsters with electric guitars
Pretending to be dying saints
And he sang for them out under the stars
And they rung him out til he'd faint

He had that sweet country sound
But they stole every note in his head
They treated him like he had died
And that was long before he was dead

Limp and wounded, crawling through the desert
Now addicted to the needle and the flame
Waiting there for some damn spaceship
That they promised would come and
take him home again

Then one morning, in the painted desert
Under a cactus cold and still
The Sheriff found his poor body
Another golden boy gone o'er the hill

He had that sweet country sound
But they stole every not in his head
They treated him like he had died
And that was long before he was dead

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: Will Lee
Electric Piano: Leon Pendarvis
Acoustic Guitar: Sid McGinnis, David Baxter
Electric Guitar: Chris Spedding
Backing Vocals: John Phillips


11. Whiskey, Wine & Champagne
(J.Phillips)

Another example of turning "tragedy into publishing".

I watch you walk in the rain
With your whiskey, wine and champagne
And you stumble and fall once again
Do you know I can feel all your pain

I hope you found something new
I love surprises
How about a little smile from you
I love surprises

Your mind is troubled
By things that don't exist
I'd hate to burst your bubble
With my lover's kiss

I watch you walk in the rain
With your whiskey, wine and champagne
And you stumble and fall once again
Do you know I feel all your pain
So I call out come on back inside

But you run away, run away and hide
With your whiskey, wine and champagne
Do we have to go through this again...again?

What became of that pretty young girl
The one with a thousand disguises
I remember how she'd laugh and cry
I love surprises

Your mind is troubled
By things that don't exist
I'd hate to burst your bubble
With my lover's kiss

I watch you walk in the rain
With your whiskey, wine and champagne
And you stumble and fall once again
Do you know I can feel all your pain
With your whiskey, wind and champagne
Do we have to go through this again?
Do we have to go through this again?

Drums: Anton Fig
Bass: Will Lee
Hammond Organ: Leon Pendarvis
Piano: Paul Shaffer
Acoustic Guitar: Sid McGinnis, David Baxter
Electric Guitar: Chris Spedding
Backing Vocals: Dillon O'Brian, Davey Faragher
Sting Arrangement: Leon Pendarvis
String Quartet:
1st Violin: Vladmir Polimatidi
2nd Violin: Jonathan Dysart
Viola: Joel Lish
Cello: Mary Horoshevsky


12. If (J. Phillips)

This was written for John's wife, Farnaz

If I hide, would you try to find me?
If I cried, would you dry away my tears?
Were I frightened, would you stay beside me?
And take away my fears

If you should hide, I would surely find you
If you cry, I'll kiss away your tears

Were you frightened, yea I'd stand beside you
And take away your fears

In this drive by world, we live in
Everybody needs just a friend
Someone who loves them, and won't give in
Who'll still be there at the end

If I lied, would you hate me? If I tried and failed and tried and failed again
If I should die, will you really miss me?
And think of me now and then

If I lied, would you hate me?
If I tried and failed and tried and failed again
If I should die, will you really miss me?
And think of me now and then

If you hide, I will surely find you
If you tried and failed, I'd say go try again
But you won't die, cause I'll love you forever
And forever has no end

No you won't die, cause I'll love you forever
And forever has no end

Guitar arrangement: Paul Gilman
Guitars: Herb Peterson
Harmonium: Paul Shaffer
Harmonica: Gilber Hansen
String Arrangement: Leon Pendarvis
String Contractor: Edwin Benachowski
String Quartet:
1st Violin: Vladimir Polimatidi
2nd Violin: Jonathan Dysart
Viola: Joel Lish
Cello: Mary Horoshevsky
Palm Springs Contractor: Pat Rizzo


Produced by: Harvey Jay Goldberg & John Phillips
Recorded & Mixed by: Harvey Jay Goldberg
Additional Engineering: Britt Myers & James Murray
ProTools Editing: Britt Myers
Recorded & Mixed at: Sound On Sound Studios (New York City)
Assistant Engineers: Bart Migal & Richard Furch
Overdubs: Monty's Penthouse (Palm Springs, CA)
Production Thanks:
Farnaz Phillips
Michelle Goldberg
Kelly Smyth
Jonathan Appel
Jody Peterson
Robert Cosio
Michael Delugg

Art Direction & Design: J. Sylvester Design / NYC
Photography: Roger Montgomery, Jeff Schnorr, Jonathan Appel, and Michael Camerini

Representations:
Robert Tucker, Phoenix Productions
Jeffrey Greenberg, Beldock Levine & Hoffman LLP
Mick Cater, What Management

JOHN PHILLIPS
1935 - 2001

This is Dedicated To The Ones He Loved:
Mackenzie, Jeffrey, Chynna, Tamerlane, Bijou and
Farnaz Phillips, Sanaz and Atoosa Favier

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