Recorded in Tokyo, 2006. Re-mixed and re-mastered by Robert Webb and Michael Steinbacher, 2020-2. Music & Lyrics by Robert Webb, Jamie Moses and Mark Ibbotson.
lyrics
Coming up the drive, there's soon to arrive
A young millionaire in his Rolls Royce
Like the queen before him, he knows what he likes
And this fine country home is the obvious choice
Ah young man, young man
You're far too blind to realise you're part of her plan
Walking through the door, he likes what he sees
A man of means, he's not easy to please
But he's not thought of Emma, who hates to see things change
But he doesn't feel the Imperial Hotel holds something very strange
Ah young man, young man
You're far too blind to realise you're part of her plan
Emma's waiting for him, she's acting out her mime
I'll have to play along he thinks, I'll have to take my time
So he signs the empty register, the first guest in years
And Emma rubbed her wizened hands, dispelling all her fears
Ah young man, young man
You're far too blind to realise you're part of her plan
Follow me, my dear, and the best room shall be yours
Our finest is the bridal suite, unused for fifty years
Take your time in choosing, a mistake is ill-advised
So act the perfect gentleman, and the hotel will be your prize
Along the hall and to the right, you'll find the bedroom door
Fling it wide and enter in, the bridal ghost is yours
He comes to a stop in front of the door and watches her escape
His last view of Emma shows she's old no more, he's paid for his mistake
Dat-da-der-da-dat-dat-der
So now at last he has his wish, he owns this great hotel
A prisoner in these four walls and desperate to sell
Dat-da-der-da-dat-dat-der
Left alone with his memories, he was so much younger then
One day his turn will be done and the story begins again
Left alone with his memories, he was so much younger then
One day his turn will be done and the story begins again
credits
from The Concerts in Japan,
released August 14, 2022
Robert Webb (keyboards, vocals), Martin Henderson (bass guitar), Alec Johnson (guitar), Steve Laffy (drums), Maggie Alexander (vocals).
Petrichor is one of the most exciting track collections produced in the last 2 years. A unique coming together of five musicians who are at the top of their tree; shedding new light on 70s style rock. England
Needlepoint's latest release. Lovely, soft-sounding music with great musicality. Great to be taken back to the sound of the 60s/70s but with new, harmonious ideas. England
supported by 23 fans who also own “Imperial Hotel (Extract)”
The new live EP by Ryan W. Stevenson's project reminded me, that this debut album must have been gone down the wishlist... If instrumental Canterbury stuff is your thing, this should be a no-brainer. Firmly rooted in the past (late 60s, 70s), nevertheless with a fresh sound. Guests incude The Tangent's Andy Tillison and Soft Machine's Theo Travis. Carsten Pieper
supported by 20 fans who also own “Imperial Hotel (Extract)”
got recc'd this on youtube and loved it- reminds me a lot of late 60's and early 70's records i used to hear playing out of my parents' stereo on sweltering summer days. OPAL
The Long Island metal band's third album etches arena-sized hooks into their jagged compositions, deftly balancing experimental and poppy inclinations. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 12, 2022