Name: In Paradise When You Smile by Andrew of the antipodes
Duration: 3 min 12 s
Description: Originally written and recorded in 2006 (or maybe earlier than that?), I had previously uploaded a recording that was backed by midi, and was really starting to age. This recording is October 2023 and is slightly faster than the original, with enhanced vocal and instrument arrangements.

Originally written and recorded in 2006 (or maybe earlier than that?), I had previously uploaded a recording that was backed by midi, and was really starting to age. This recording is October 2023 and is slightly faster than the original, with enhanced vocal and instrument arrangements.

In Paradise When You Smile

A song about a bongo-loving cook in the town's best greasy spoon who'd rather jam to the beat than make the patrons happy.  I played bass, bongos and pot 'n' pans.

The vid:  https://youtu.be/KLb27yRE6dc

Leon, Rustle Up Some Grub

© 2016-2025 All Rights Reserved Bud Merritt & floyd jane
Janice Merritt: lead vocal
floyd jane: lyric and harmony vocal
Peter Fulham: guitar solos and fills
Bud Merritt: lyric, mix, mastering & photo

It may seem distant but the right track is out there ... somewhere.

The Right Track
too long in this town, too long in shadow
roads lead out, where do they go?
this might be someone's idea of good old days
not mine i'm parting ways

Chorus

i'm leaving
some might think on a wing and a prayer
but there's got to be peace
between here and somewhere
sun on my face, wind at my back
i'm finally... on the right track

day by day, time gets shorter
while my bucket list just runs over
some things age well like a fine old wine
but a spirit chained
will die in time (so...)

Chorus

Bridge

friends say slow down don't go
but what the hell could they know
i got boots older than most of them
and I ain't leaving on a whim

Chorus

The Right Track

Lyrics: R.W. Davis
Music, vocals, guitar fills: me
Graphic: Freepik.com

Epiphany

Just some rain and noise
Outside my morning window
Strangers passing through
On the way to some rendezvous

I’m thinking of you today
Like I do when I’m breathing
You were flying through the night
Before I knew you were leaving

I should have jumped up on my horse
Run the roads from coast to coast
The California dream was just a dream
And those motorcycle cowboys
Know exactly what I mean

Ran into your brother
He was packing up a U-Haul
Said you called from Sedona
After rolling out of St. Paul

I know the winter cuts deep
And the sun suits your skin
But miles don’t mean forgiveness
When it all comes back again

I should have jumped up on my horse
Run the roads from coast to coast
The California dream was just a dream
And those motorcycle cowboys
Know exactly what I mean

I should have jumped up on my horse
Run the roads from coast to coast
The California dream was just a dream
And those motorcycle cowboys
Know exactly what I mean
And those motorcycle cowboys
Know exactly what I mean

Motorcycle Cowboys (with Joliz)

There’s a master watching over me
as I go through life’s lessons
a teacher with his hand on my shoulder
giving me his blessings
There’s a guide who stands behind me
as I make all my mistakes
There’s a force that surrounds me
as I grow for Love’s sake

Love fill me up, love fill me up
Fill me up with just the courage I need
Love give me wings, love give me wings
give me wings to fly, set my spirit free

There’s a power I draw from
when I feel weak
There’s a courage I gather
when things look bleak
There’s a source that won’t fail me
when I’m ready to break
There’s a love that surrounds me
as I live for Love’s sake
(chorus)

When I feel like he’s left me
and I can’t feel love there
I sometimes forget the truth
and start to despair
And just when I’m stumbling
and can’t right myself again
I'm reminded Love’s carrying me
right through to the end
(chorus)
(improv/jam) Just so I know, there’s a master watching over me
(chorus)

Master (Demo)

Master

Image by brittywing from Pixabay
Vocals: SynthesizerV (Hayden 2, Liam, Natalie 2)
Instruments: Band in a Box

Sometimes Dreamers

While sitting in your lounge chair on a Caribbean beach, listening to a local band while drinking a rum and coke you say this is paradise.

I am playing the nylon string guitar and via my keyboard the marimba. Band-in-a-Box is supplying the balance of the tracks using my sound sources.

Rum on the Beach

Mox Nix

I translated this traditional New Orleans song into Finnish freely, because I can't speak French or Creole.
In my version I sing and play banjos (plectrum and tenor). I produced this with Band in a Box and Reaper at my home.
Suomensin tämän perinteisen New Orleans sävelmän Eh! La Bas hyvin vapaasti, sillä en osaa kreolia tai ranskaa. Tarkoittanee "hei siellä". 
Versiossani laulan ja soitan banjot (plectrum ja tenori). Tuotin tämän Band in a Boxilla ja Reaperilla kotonani.

Eila vaan (Eh! La Bas) trad. suom. EB

I've been a guitarist since the age of 15 and writing songs since then, albeit more prolifically since 2000. I prefer strong melodies and to borrow chords to move outside of the diatonic. Usually, the song mix contains my vocals, guitars and sometimes bass, with drums, keys and other instruments auto-generated. The tracks uploaded in my Soundcloud are attempts to 'illustrate' the idea and sound I imagined when writing the songs. At best, the quality of recordings are demo quality. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!

In Paradise When You Smile

Andrew of the antipodes

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