THE JOURNEYMEN
The Journeymen
Capitol T 1629 (mono)
Released October 30, 1961
Recorded on three-track at Capitol Records, New York, March 1961
Produced by Andy Wiswell
Musical Personnel:
John Phillips - vocals and guitar
Scott McKenzie - vocals and guitar
Dick Weissman - vocals, banjo and guitar
Known Additional Musicians:
Arnold Fishkin - bass on "River, She Come Down"
SIDE ONE
1) River Come Down (trad, new arr by John Phillips and Richard Weissman) 2:50
Originally a Jamaican melody, is heard here with new lyrics
by Dick and John.
2) Soft Blow the Summer Winds (John Phillips) 2:30
One of John's own compositions. It's a memorable contribution to
our Civil War heritage, and it gives Dick a chance to embroider
an intricate banjo solo on it's march-tempoed but wistful refrain.
3) Black Girl (trad, new arr by John Phillips and Richard Weissman) 2:20
(This song is more commonly known as "Where Did You Sleep Last Night")
With it's melancholy tune and lyrics, makes a beautiful duet as
sung here by Scott and John. The melody and first verse were
unearthed in Kentucky in 1917 by the grat folk scholar Cecil Sharp.
4) Dunya (trad, new arr by John Phillips and Richard Weissman) 2:28
A traditional Israeli hora, sung here with lyrics by Dick
and John. The trio's fine instrumental work and vocal esprit
de corps add a lot of new excitement to this ageless melody.
5) Fennario (trad, new arr by John Phillips and Richard Weissman) 2:46
Variously titled Pretty Peggy O and Pretty Fanny O, is an
adaptation of the English-Scottish Pretty Girl of Darby O.
This particular version is another civil war song, reflecting
the effects of battle on the home-front, and the influence
of a certain love affair on the course of the war.
6) Ride, Ride, Ride (John Phillips) 2:43
Another of John's compositions, this time stemming from
the lore of the Wild West. The dash and gallop of the
rhythms realistically potray the tensely dramatic pursuit
of a young outlaw by the sheriff's posse.
SIDE TWO
1) 500 Miles (Hedy West) 2:43
Goes back many years in the Northern Georgia family of Hedy
West, who collaborated with John on this arrangement. It is
clearly reminiscent of laments sung though the years by cowboys,
sailors, and railroad men.
2) Rock Me Lord (trad, new arr by John Phillips and Richard Weissman) 2:28
The kind of head-swining, foot-tapping song sung and clapped
at old-fashioned camp meetings. It's a Negro-spiritual-derived
tune, and the Journeymen give full emphasis to it's original
exciting beat.
3) Make Me a Pallet (trad, new arr by John Phillips and Richard Weissman) 3:18
Has been widely sung throughout the South since the days when
it was popular with the pioneer New Orleans jazz bands. In the
repetoire of every itinerant street singer of those days, this
old blues song takes on a nostalgic-but-new sound here with
original lyrics by Dick and John.
4) Chase the Rising Sun (Richard Weissman and John Phillips) 2:15
Takes its melody from part of an original banjo suite by Dick,
and he and John wrote the lyrics. It's a mischievious account
of a flirtatious gal, and the Journeymen go all out in a
flurry of peppery vocal and instrumental work that challenges
any listener to sit still.
5) Cumberland Mountain Deer Chase
(trad, new arr by John Phillips and Richard Weissman) 1:27
Is a traditional Cumberland Mountain tune which was sung by
Uncle Dave Macon, an original star of "TheGrand Ole Opry."
In it, the hunters relax around the fire, swapping yarns while
the hounds pursue their quarry. Dick's banjo runs pell-mell
throughout, and manages to keep up with the dogs. Note the
touch of realism in the hound's bay as the tune ends.
6) Gilgara Mountain (trad, new arr by John Phillips and Richard Weissman) 2:08
(This song is more commonly known as "Whiskey In the Jar")
A humerous song-tale of a devil-may-care rascal and his
escapades, comes straight from Ireland where it's called
"Gilgarry Mountain." Containing nonsense refrains, a common
feature of many folk songs, it provides a rousing finish
to the album.