The Uppertons- Smokestack Lightning

Written by Ben Walden ©2017

out in the sun, working on the dam
I looked down at the riverbed
swirling, twirling with the current
there was a two foot steelhead
rainbow shining through the muddy water
that smells just like the pulp mill 
he jumped a little and he made a ripple
that drifted to the Pacific

Chorus: Steelhead trout push up stream 
spawning in the Spring 
climb the ladder on the dam
won't stop for anything
only Death can stop the Steelhead

I wonder how many times he's been up the river
and I wonder if he'll ever come back again
salmon go to die at the headwaters high
while the steelhead come on back again
on my lunch break I will have a drink
and then I'll take a swim
feel the minnows nip at my toes 
and I wonder if they ever come back again

chorus;

Steelhead Trout

Wrote this song yesterday, recorded it today.
It's dedicated to all my relations. All parts written, composed, and played by yours truly, Rosalind Parducci. ©2018

The Hearth

3 song Medley written and performed by Monica and the Shy Boys. Live recording by Ethan Pierce

Monica and the Shy Boys (Live at Machar Farms Benefit)

The Hackles - And The Show Goes On

Featuring Ben Walden on guitar, at the studio of Ned McElroy

Written in 2011 at the height of a clawhammer exploration. Inspired by all the traditional tunes I was learning at the time, this song came out probably as a mix of all the phrases and sounds I'd been listening to and practicing so hard. Credits to the various songs featured in Ken Perlman's book titled Melodic Clawhammer Banjo.

Banjo Doodle II

A gentle, guided meditation to establish the solid yet compassionate foundation to a daily mindfulness practice.  This practice focuses on how flexible and friendly our focus is and this is the basis of well-being.    14 minutes

A Flexible Mind _Key to Freedom [14 min]

Hello, internet-inhabiting humans!! I am a singer-songwriter, all-around musician, and wandering soul among many other things. I write a lot from experience, as well as from imagination. The people I encounter in life inspire me, as well as artists such as Paul Simon, Grateful Dead, Miles Davis, Gillian Welch, Wilco and many, many others. Lately I've been on a Chicago blues binge. I've also been hanging out around Kurt Cobain's old stomping grounds and his influence is here. 

In the past, I've played banjo in the Idaho-Washington Symphony and soukous with Simba And The Exceptional Africans. At the age of twenty three, I have been performing for fifteen years. While my musical experience encompasses a very wide range, my solo singer-songwriter "bag" consists mainly of folk, country, and blues material. I have a wide repertoire and can tailor performances to different situations and audiences. I improvise. 

I seek gigs, fellow musicians, and opportunities to grow.  

Steelhead Trout

Ben Walden

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