“July”
(Composed and arranged by Reynold D. Philipsek 2000 and 2022 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)
Guitar and vocal-reynold
Acoustic Bass-Matt Senjem
Flutes-Al Asmus
Recorded by Stymie Seamans
July may be my favorite month of the year (October is a close second).
There are six very different versions of this tune on record. This is one I nearly forgot about, but might now be my favorite. Matt and I recorded the basic tracks (including vocals) “live” in the studio, then I had my old St. Cloud friend Al Asmus come in to overdub the flute parts.
I like to think the lyrics reach for something much deeper than climate. At least, that was the intended subtext. After all, the human condition can feel rather “cold,” and we all subconsciously spend our lives yearning for some light and warmth.
The slow-developing nature of this version is very relaxed, which I now very much like and the stark production is perfect. The guitar and acoustic bass sound nice and natural together. Paradoxically, “sounding natural” can be unreally difficult in the studio.
I tried to make the two flutes serve very much like they do in a Claus Ogerman arrangement. Which is fitting because Claus worked a lot with Jobim and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s influence is very present.
Headphones bring this one in tight for a more personal audio experience.
“July”
Frost on the trees
Snow on the ground
A blast not a breeze
Near knocks you down
Before I’m old
No more cold
Someday I’ll leave this behind
Somewhere I’ll find
*A place that’s as warm as July
**Warmer climes
Clear sunshine
A place that’s as warm as July
Be kind.
Love,
Reyn