This Soleman Ain't Singin' The Blues Review
This Soleman Ain't Singin' The Blues Overview
By ART PUGACH
The young man behind the counter of the shoe repair store has more on his mind than fixing worn-down soles.
Phil LoPresti, proprietor of Phil's Shoe Service in Waldwick, also specializes in uplifting the other kind of soul. The local shoemaker writes songs - everything from rock to folk. He has been a song writer and lyricist since his days in high school:
He recalled how many of his friends who played the guitar (his instrument of choice) tended to practice the art of imitation whereas he saw a chance to practice the art of creation.
"Anybody can learn to play the guitar," he said. -What I wanted to do was write songs."
Though he has been writing music now for over a decade, it was only a few years ago when LoPresti and a local singer, Angela Robinson decided to record some of his music professionally on demo tapes.
"The music didn't come out the way I thought it would," he said of his first recorded song, "So Ho Song". "I was going for more of a rock beat, but Angela ad-libbed a little and gave it a lighter more modern, upbeat sound."
In some of his other songs, however, the sound he wanted comes across far better. With vividly played guitar
instrumentals, "-The Keeper", his most recent song written by Gary Michaels, harkens back to the classic-rock style of the late sixties. It is, in fact, with the latest songs that his songwriting style shows up best
"I always enjoy the song that I'm writing the best," LoPresti said. "The song in my head always seems to be my favorite:
On the creative process, he said, "Sometimes I'm strumming the guitar or just humming and I come across a catchy melody. Other times I hear one in my head when I'm sleeping or at work."
LoPresti fantasizes about one day becoming a success in the music world, but he certainly has no illusions that would lead him to sell his business or sacrifice time with his one-and# a-half-year-old son in order to pursue his goal.
"I will always write songs," he said. "But success is still a dream. I'm not a lunatic and I don't have any plans to give up my present life."
For now, LoPresti will keep trying to get his music more widely recognized. He would rather be a songwriter for the moment and not a performer. He did that when he was younger, but found that it was far too competitive for his liking.
During that time he also wrote a folk-opera entitled "Crossroad". The opera took 13
years to write, and is a story about societal ills in relation to the more spiritual aspects of life.
Over the years he has written over 80 songs on a variety of themes. LoPresti has written many of them for friends. He has lost many tapes that way, he joked, since some who listen to his music don't seem in any
hurry to return them. LoPresti will be going back to the recording studio soon to tape more of his songs. With help from local musicians and singers, this talented shoe maker's big break may be out there just waiting to happen.
July 19, 1992 Sunday News / Sunday Post
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