Written in March 2021, this song is about recognizing that sometimes the best of times are unplanned. The good and the bad hits you any time, so when times are good, appreciate it.

This song was written on piano but with more emphasis on guitar that other songs of mine. Recorded on a Fender Jaguar, Fender Jazz Bass, Yamaha Motif6, and Baldwin grand piano.

Partially live version available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/qgUg6LYoJKk

The Best Of Times (Original by Ben Buttrick)

A simple piano recording of the classic 80s song by The Church. This song features Takamine acoustic guitar, Fender Jazz bass, Baldwin grand piano, Yamaha MOTIF synth, and sampled drums. There are five vocal tracks.

Under The Milky Way (Cover Of The Church)

Written in June 2021, this song reflects back to relationship transitions and the vulnerability these periods bring. Features Fender Stratocaster, Takamine acoustic guitar, Fender Jazz bass, Baldwin Grand Piano, Yamaha MOTIF, and drum samples. All instruments played by Ben.

Performance on YouTube at https://youtu.be/SY58D55TmjQ

Staring at the Crossroads (Original by Ben Buttrick)

Acoustic version on piano with live vocal. I added a backing track of acoustic guitar and harmonies. Recorded 5/10/22

Out Of The Dark - Acoustic/Live (Original by Ben Buttrick)

Recorded live with piano and vocals. Overdubbed the piano solo and harmony vocals. Recorded on 5/15/22.

Living In The Moment - Acoustic/Live (Original by Ben Buttrick)

This song conjures reflections of Cape Cod summers and lazy nights on the beach playing guitar. Written in August 2022 features piano (Baldwin), acoustic guitar (Takamine), bass (Rickenbacker), vocals, and drum samples.

Link to a performance on YouTube: https://youtu.be/thuyrCl8zpE

Reflections (Original by Ben Buttrick)

Written on Nantucket, this song was inspired by a ride around the island and made me think about cycling as an analogy for life... The hills, the headwinds, tailwinds and emotional ups and down. I recorded with my Takamine acoustic and then used virtual instruments to account for being remote. Written in September 2022.

The Ride Of Life (Original by Ben Buttrick)

This song is about the risk of autocracy, zealots driven by misinformation, and the political quicksand that runs the risk of ruining democracy and accompanying freedoms. This started as a scratch recording on piano with then layers of drums, guitar, bass, and keyboard. There are five vocal tracks. Enjoy...

Freedom Is Fragile (Original by Ben Buttrick)

This is a simple guitar, piano, and hand percussion version of the Jim Croce classic. There are five layers of vocals in the chorus. The lead vocal is double-tracked. Performed in November 2022 on a Baldwin piano, Takamine guitar, and Fender Jazz bass.

Operator (Jim Croce cover)

I really like the orchestration of this song and the simple message. This recording started with me playing the piano with an initial vocal track. I then layered in guitar, additional vocal, strings, and bass. Recorded in January 2023.

Your Song (Cover of Elton John)

Recorded on a Baldwin grand piano using two Shure 57 mics over the soundboard. Vocals recorded in five track for rich harmony. Recorded May 2023

Out Of The Dark - Acoustic (Original by Ben Buttrick)

Solo recording of Friend of the Devil by Ben Buttrick. Coming soon a live version with full band.

Friend of The Devil

Recorded March 2005, Spin Cycle band featuring Ben Buttrick on keyboard and vocals, John Meehan on guitar, Peter Cohen on bass, Carrie Martin on vocals, and Greg Tourian on drums

A difficult tune to sing (and play), but a classic from Joni Mitchell's jazz stage.

In France They Kiss On Main Street (Joni Mitchell Cover)

A pure 70s indulgence. I built this song around a midi version which I don't usually do. I ended up striping all midi parts out leaving only the drums. I relied mostly on my Yamaha Motif 6 to simulate most instruments except bass and some guitar.

Year Of The Cat (Al Stewart Cover)

Recorded in 2005 by Spin Cycle featuring Carrie Martin on vocals, Ben Buttrick on keyboard, John Meehan on guitar, Peter Cohen on bass, and Greg Tourian on drums.

Sunny Came Home (Shawn Colvin Cover)

Recorded in 2016, this song features John Nye on lead vocals and guitar, Ben Buttrick on keyboard and backing vocals, Kevin McKelvey on guitar and backing vocals, and Liam Buttrick on drums.

Big Hard Sun (Eddie Vedder Cover by Ancient Mysteries)

Up on Cripple Creek (The Band cover by Ancient Mysteries)

Iko Iko/ Women are Smarter (Grateful Dead cover by Ancient Mysteries)

Recorded in April 2016 by Ben Buttrick using Reaper audio workstation.

Rust Never Sleeps (My My Hey Hey - Neil Young Cover)

Experimental cover of the Genesis track off the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

The Carpet Crawlers (Genesis Cover)

A multi-track studio recording of the classic Steely Dan song off the Can't Buy a Thrill album by Steely Dan. Recorded by Ben Buttrick in 2017 using a Yamaha Motif6, PRS Custom SE electric guitar, and midi drums.

Dirty Work (Steely Dan cover)

In this recording, John Buttrick is practicing a Beethoven sonata for performance later in the week. This was played at the congregational church. He was not happy with his performance of the piece.

Beethoven Sonata 21 in C Major, Opus 53: I. Allegro con brio - Waldstein (John Buttrick, Piano)

Recorded on four tracks in July 2017 with a Yamaha Motif6 and Ableton DAW.

The Luckiest (Ben Folds Cover)

Recorded on 16 tracks using Reaper. Features four vocal tracks over Fender Jazz Bass, Takamine acoustic guitar, PRS elecrtric guitar, and Yamaha Motif6 synth.

Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison Cover)

This song is the first in a series related to the theme of ego, self-love, and self-help. The song was written and recorded in August 2018 but with live drums added in June 2020 with remixing. Drums provided by Liam Buttrick. It's a bit more airy and poppy than other songs of mine. Recorded with Baldwin grand piano, electric piano (Yamaha Motif6), bass, electric guitar.

Performance on YouTube at https://youtu.be/SY58D55TmjQ

The Gift (Original by Ben Buttrick)

Recorded in October 2018, this is my version of a Grateful Dead classic. Features PRS electric guitar, Takamine acoustic guitar, Fender Jazz bass, Yamaha Motif6, and sampled drums.

Jack Straw(Grateful Dead Cover)

Written in July 2019, this is an original composition about being in love and having to say goodbye too often. Recorded with Reaper using a Yamaha Motif6, Fender Jazz Bass, and PRS Electric.

Painful Goodbye (Original by Ben Buttrick)

An uptempo song about the jubilation that will be breaking out of isolation. Recorded on 20 tracks using Reaper. Words and Music by Ben Buttrick. Ben plays keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass, and keyboards. Lead guitar featuring Liam Buttrick. Recorded in April 2020 with a Baldwin grand piano track added in December 2020.

You Just Gotta Dance (Original by Ben Buttrick)

This song was written in 2020 and represents the ebb and flow of emotions living through a pandemic with limited social interaction. I was recorded in Dec 2020 on a Baldwin grand piano with additional tracks of Takamine acoustic guitar, Fender jazz bass, and sampled drums.

Video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/spUzvGIcgZk

Fighting For Our Soul (Original by Ben Buttrick)

This song speaks to the power of organized religion and how faith is often triggered from the ashes of despair. This song was written back in 2017 but only just recorded in 2021. I had not attempted to record it as I felt it needed live drums. This song features Liam Buttrick on drums, and we moved his kit to the living room with 20-foot cathedral ceilings for maximum sounds. I am on Baldwin grand piano, Fender Jazz bass, Takamine acoustic guitar, and vocals.

Praise All (Original by Ben Buttrick)

I took this picture on a cold winter night in New England. It struck me that the warmth of the light was quite inviting but the scene was a metaphor for what's going on broadly with political division and virus lockdowns. We just need to get through this and be drawn to the light.

Written in Feb 2021 on piano. I think it has a 70s sound to it almost like a Dan Fogelberg tune. Performed with a Takamine acoustic guitar, Baldwin grand piano, Fender Jazz bass, Yamaha Motif6, and Liam Buttrick on acoustic drums.

Live "unplugged" version here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpaWzHeiKjQ

A Light In Winter (Original by Ben Buttrick)

Multi-instrumentalist mostly writing original material on piano trying to blend rock and jazz.

Popular tracks by Ancient Mysteries