Bassist and fellow San Francisco songwriter Elliot Racine recently was describing to myself and Shawn Byron at an open mic what he termed as his latest “personal fad” — an obsession and fascination with different types of cinnamon — and how he was spending his time reading about different varieties and places of origin of the spice.
I can relate — having through various such fads myself. There was a point where I was all about claypot cooking — and trying to procure the various vessels described in Paula Wolfert's book on the subject to try the recipes therein. And there was a period of time when I was heavy into the essential oils (note — turns out you don’t really need them, that’s just good branding).
I wasn’t in it for all the pseudoscientific claims regarding supposed capabilities of said oils, but certainly I think there’s a therapeutic aspect in terms of effecting mood and I love the sensual variety. And the hunt. Finding a new location that was a purveyor of such things and going on an expedition to sample their wares was always a bit exciting.
So that’s where to reference to blue tansy and essential oils in general comes from in “‘Til I Wash You Away” — another song on the new album. It’s a piece that touches on the interaction between sense and memory and unrequited love.
lyrics
See you at a party, gee you’re looking fine
Hold you only briefly — oh it feels divine
You continue to cling to me throughout the night
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
Toss’n and turn’n, my sheets twist like taffy
Try to calm my nerves with a whiff of blue tansy
Still your scent will linger — the perfume and the brandy
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
A miasma of memory floating through the air
Lost possibilities resilient as a water bear
But only in my mind
It’s only in my mind
Debris on the beach is swept out with the tide
Garbage trucks are loading, the sea levels rise
The cosmic ash may whither but together here we lie
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
Scrubbing underneath the soothing shower head
Your last vestiges, the dirt, and my sweat
All swirling down the drain
All swirling down the drain
A preheated oven, a warmed up slice of pie
Essential oils burning, a freshly laundered sky
Every breath an elixir which elicits a sigh
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
‘Til I wash you away in the morning
credits
from At Home At Sea,
released July 12, 2019
E.G. Phillips (Vocals, Guitar), Samantha Sipin (Backing Vocals), Jesse Elkin Rubin (Alto Sax, Tenor Sax), Ben Osheroff (Piano), Sean Silverman (Upright Bass), Ben Visini (Drum Kit)
produced, recorded and mixed by Ben Osheroff
mastered by Matt Boudreau, Working Class Audio
songs and artwork by E.G. Phillips (ASCAP)
published by Ducks With Pants Music (@duckswithpants)
E.G. Phillips is a San Francisco based songwriter who creates lyric driven songs with his own special blend of whimsy and cinematic imagery which he uses to give a wry take on dealing with the longings of the heart and the madness of existence.
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