Most catchy song, elegantly performed by all! Very nice.

Une superbe réalisation. Belle voix et bonne mise en musique. Un beau travail. Du grand art. Bravo.

Quite enjoying the listen to this lovely this morning. Such a great tune and collaboration. Well done all. And...to you my friend.

Exceptional words Mark. This re-visit is a pleasure. :o)

Nice i like it great music good work .🎶👍

Very good collaboration all together. i enjoy violin little flute and sweet voice. Perfect music.

Collaborations with Jussi Welin

A song based on an original composition by Tom https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier and Jussi https://soundcloud.com/juswel
https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier/evocation
Lyrics and Vocals by https://soundcloud.com/markjbennett

We were very keen to work on another collaboration and after several rounds of selections and revisions, I'm glad to be able to share this beautiful song. I feel eternally grateful to Tom and Jussi for their inspirational music and skilled playing (and their patience). I hope we will get to make more music together in the future.

The picture is by Douglas Corrance of the Old Stockbridge Market in Edinburgh.

Everytime I look at you,
I need to recognise that
It is only you who can make me happy. 
Everytime I look at you,
I realise that I do.

Everytime I’m close to you,
My heart races,
I feel like a fool,
And you seem so cool
It’s because I think that I love you,
Everytime I’m close to you,
I realise that I do.

Ainsi va la vie,	
Quand il s'agit de t'aimer.
(Such is life, when it comes to loving you) 
Everytime I look at you,
I realise that I do.

I’m looking for a sign,
That shows just how much you do. 
Everytime you look at me,
I realise that you do.

Ainsi va la vie,	
Quand il s'agit de t'aimer.
(Such is life, when it comes to loving you)
Everytime I look at you,
I realise that we do.

Ainsi Va La Vie - Tom Régnier/Jussi Welin/Mark J Bennett

Tiempos

When Tom approached me with this piano melody, the initial arrangement and the title to which he hoped I’d add lyrics and vocals, I thought it was almost unnecessary as the piece already said everything required. Shortly afterwards, Jussi had added sublime guitar which offered a hopeful balance in the mood. Knowing what Tom was referring to without discussing it openly I wrote these words from a similar position of experience. I contrasted the first verse of a woman at her peak with the second verse of a woman in decline to heighten the emotion. I found that the spoken word approach allowed more emotion to flow from both the music and the words. Tom had the great idea to ask Hidefumi to complete the song with a phenomenal solo. Thank you to everyone who helped make this come together, and a very special thanks to all of you for listening.

Music composition, piano and other instrumentation - https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier
First guitar and guitar arrangement - https://soundcloud.com/juswel
Lyrics and vocals - https://soundcloud.com/markjbennett
Final guitar and guitar arrangement - https://soundcloud.com/boon-suzuki

Image of a painted door in Funchal, Madeira - Douglas Corrance (https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCorrancePhotographer)

She knows just what it feels like now.
I think she’s losing it, I think she’s losing it. 
When she is almost ready, 
She will lose her reserve 
And her inhibition too.
Then she’ll lose herself in herself and then she’ll be free,
To be what she wants, what she wants to be.

She knows not who she feels like now.
I know she’s losing it, I know she’s losing it. 
As if she's gone already, 
She has lost her reserve 
And her inhibition too.
Already lost herself in herself and now she’s elsewhere,
Knows not what she wants, nor who she used to be.

She's Losing It - Tom Régnier/Jussi Welin/Mark J Bennett/Boon-Suzuki

Tom again approached me with a beautiful piano melody and an initial arrangement that he hoped I’d add lyrics and vocals. Shortly afterwards, Jussi gave the whole thing a wonderful rhythm and the first lead guitar you will hear.  Tom once again had the great idea to ask Hidefumi to complete the song with a powerful guitar solo in the coda. Thank you to everyone who helped make this come together, and a very special thanks to all of you for listening.

Music composition, piano and other instrumentation - @tom-r-gnier
First guitar and guitar arrangement - @juswel
Lyrics and vocals - @markjbennett
Final guitar and guitar arrangement - @boon-suzuki

I caught the light, 
shine on your hair.
You caught me 
beginning to stare.
You lift your head, 
and my heart soars.
Our eyes meet,
and I know I’m yours
Never be the same again, 
that’s for sure.

Your cheek lit up, 
a vivid blush 
While I could feel, 
my heartbeat rush
I went to move, 
was frozen still
Your every gesture, 
gave me a thrill 
Do I believe in love,
at first sight?
This sensation was, 
a perfect delight 
Is it possible, 
that it’s mutual,
and not merely,
the usual?

You lift your head, 
and my heart soars.
Our eyes meet,
and I know I’m yours
Never be the same again, 
that’s for sure.

Do I believe in love at first sight?

Love At First Sight - Tom Régnier, Jussi Welin, Mark J Bennett & Boon-Suzuki

En souvenir de Maman

Original song by Coral.

Serene angel
Are you there in the trees in the breeze? 
Glorious angel
Hear the choir feel the air that I breath

Turn your head toward the sunlight
Turn your head toward the sunlight

Radiant memories
I thought I’d seen you for real in the haze
Cherished memories
I Thought I’d heard you for real I’m shivering now

But no I’m not afraid 
I’m not afraid to carry on
No I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid to carry on

Guardian angel
Do you know how I feel how I am?
Lovely angel
Do you know you are there in every prayers?

But no I’m not afraid 
I’m not afraid to carry on
No I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid to carry on

Lead me angel
Through the green through the time through my soul
Holy angel
I can feel you are here I’m shredding tears of joy

So no I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid to carry on
No I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid to carry on

A Walk With Thee

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Terry Reeves: Vocals
Gary Reeves: Drums
Hans-Michael Albers: All other instruments, Arrangement and Production

Reaching the age of 60 can signal a difficult time in one’s future life but may also, if you so choose, be a time when there is much to which you can look forward. My wife Jo was 60 earlier this year and wasn’t wholly enamoured with the idea so, as a family, we decided to make it extra special for her. If anyone deserves to be spoilt rotten it is she, having had to put up with me for 37 years along with being the most wonderful Mother to 3 fantastic children. Our family means the world to her, especially since we were blessed with 2 beautiful grandchildren and what she loves most of all is having them gathered around her. Over the years, we have followed the Reeves’ tradition of making Christmas a time to push out the boat in right royal fashion and as soon as December begins our house is festooned with lights and decorations, creating a party atmosphere that stretches right into the early days of the New Year.
In the lyrics, you’ll find many references to moments that always bring a certain Yuletide brand of merriment. For example, our Golden Retriever, ‘Prince’ Marvin The Magnificent’, makes it his exclusive responsibility to collect Jo’s slippers as soon as her back is turned. Try as you might, he won’t let you have them back until He decides the time is right (see cover pic). For myself, I take on the combined mantle of Court Jester - without fail, the same jokes every year folks - and Dextrous Magician (hence ’Abracadabra!’). I have recently discovered a new audience for these sleights of hand (of which they never seem to tire) in the shape of said Grandchildren, Richard and Theo.
We eat and drink our fill, we laugh and we sing, for even in a world as mad as this there is always room for a month of unbridled fun, so you’ll certainly get no apology from me! If you can imagine such a thing, this year we have decided to crank things up a little to make it extra memorable for Jo, starting with this special song to celebrate all of the Christmas days she has known. She doesn’t know about it yet so let’s hope it’s the catalyst for her best one ever. For me, I’m sure they must all have been memorable, merely because Jo has been there to see them.
Sincere thanks to all our loyal, generous listeners. Hope you all have a Peaceful, Relaxing and above all Happy Christmas & New Year!
ABRACADABRA! SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS!
(Terry Reeves)

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Sixty four to a twenty four phase
Family singing classic hit songs
Melodic vibes, help Jo party long
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Repeat the Father Christmas craze
Dressed in red with individual style
A gift for Dear Jo and a family smile
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Experience a life of generations
Family growing with imagination
Sixty Christmas Celebrations
Giving all our love for inspiration

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Making sure the groundhog behaves
Repeating good times, fun we have
I think we’ve heard that joke before, Dad
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Deja Vu theatre of Panto plays
Shouting out loud “it’s behind you”
Prince Marvin knows, Jo fits the shoe
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Entertainment in grandad’s matinees
Abracadabra, another magical spell
Rich and Theo know but never tell
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS
ABRACADABRA! ABRACADABRA! ABRACADABRA!
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS - CRIPPLE CLUB

Original acapella Che Paxin (Looperman)
https://www.looperman.com/acapellas/detail/22932/without-you-by-chepaxin-102bpm-pop-acapella
Photo : Paris vu de Montmartre

Without You Ft ChePaxin

This is an original song I recorded some years ago that describes the transition when seeing your son come of age as you (the parent) has to let go and adjust to a changed role in his life. Some regrets occur, thinking that the time to do certain things with your child has come and gone, perhaps you could/should have done more.
This was recorded back when I wrote it, so my recording techniques were not very advanced and I lost the master, left with just an MP3. I want to thank Nat Daniels and her production skills for helping make the most of improving the sound, although there was only limited opportunity to undo all its flaws. She also added some lovely piano parts to help replace many of my original xylophone parts which had faded considerably. Despite the rough quality, I hope the sentiment conveys. (note: Neddu was a nickname my son was given during his infancy which should help explain the lyrics)

All music written and performed by Craig Durgy
Additional production rework and piano overdubs by Nat Daniels
©2025 Craig Durgy / Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics:  Written by Craig Durgy
You won’t need me as you walk out that door
These eighteen years were what a father’s for
But change is not an ending
You know that I’ll be sending my love

Can’t help but feel regrets, a childhood's gone
Lost chances sometimes hit as you move on
I guess that it’s just me though, 
It was just meant to be, so go
And I’ll watch Neddu grow

I still can see you, coming in this world
Red, blue and green, you cried, your flag unfurled
We played, explored together, 
And Mom how you upset her so
Just watching Neddu grow

That day you ran out in the pouring rain
And dashed head first to surf those flooded drains
The raging storm soon hid you
I wondered Ned where did you go

And still a glimpse of all our backyard games
Now all your friends converge, just not the same
I stand here washing dishes, a man here watching wishes blow
Away as Neddu grows

I still can see you, coming in this world
Red, blue and green, you cried, your flag unfurled
We played, explored together, 
And Mom how you upset her so
Just watching Neddu grow

Watching My Son Grow

https://soundcloud.com/33per , my dear donkey fellow sent me this wonderful instrumental, a Big Thank You for that, it was a great pleasure to write and sing along.

The image shows Gregory Peck as captain Ahab in John Houston's film adaptation of Melville's “Moby Dick” from 1956, having just nailed a Spanish dubloon on the main mast.

AHAB (All Hypocrates Are Basterds)

O-o-ohh, o-o-ohh…
Tell me please…
Is that really happening-ä-ä-ä-äppening ?
Do you feel that too ?

Noone is getting out here
Oh no-no-no-no-noo, o-o-o-o-o-ooh
Noone is getting out here alive

Ohh no
Not even the feckin’ basterds
No, no
Not even those feckin’ basterds

Will survive
Whatever may be the strive

See, because 
Noone is getting out here alive
Not the president
Nor his wife

Whatever may be the strive
That won’t work

Ohh oh 
All hypocrates are basterds 			(AHAB)
Ohh, oh
All autocrates are feckin’ basterds 			

They can fool the people 
For some time,

But,
But,
But,

They can’t fool all the people all the time
Not really …
That’s beyond the line

It’s possible to continuate
To self-determinate
To not participate…

So to say:
I would - and - i would…

And i-i-i-i-i-i-i- would 
And I would… 
I-I-I would…
And i would and I would…
I-I-I would…
I would prefer not to…

AHAB (wt 33per, raw edit)

Evening mood

Surfers like Us ….. composition, all guitar parts, arrangement and mix

Artwork provided by Remnant60 (Thanks, Bill :)

Hi Everyone!
I invite each of you to listen to an alternative version of my piece called „Surf Dance” that I wrote two years ago. This song was also recorded with The Eclectic Collective as our first song together and released in July 2023. Yes, time passes quickly... 
Please check out the original version of „Surf Dance” with the Eclectic Collective 😎

https://soundcloud.com/user-411502040/surf-dance?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1&si=B615E96AC3CA4CC5A80FAA8A7DC4CC17&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Of course, I dedicate this solo version of the song to the fantastic guys of The Eclectic Collective 🌞🏄🏼‍♂️
Thanks, guys for your friendship and love! 🍀

Hope you all enjoy the surf vibe!

Many thanks for listening and any support! 
Artur

Surf Dance >25

Amber Galactic

Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – @cgmaness – Chris – acoustic guitar, composition, production, and mix

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken– drums
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 – Warwick four string fretless bass 
J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- piano and lead synth
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – VST cello, strings, clarinet, flute, and synth pad
Nyla K-- @user-162163879 -- vocals and lyrics
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen–  Gibson Earle Scruggs banjo

This song started as many of our best do, with Chris coming up with it on his acoustic guitar. He shared it with the rest of us shortly after, and we were all very excited to tuck into it. 
  Ken was fist at the trough for this one, adding his jazzy, expressive drums. Josh came in as soon as he had a beat to work with, adding his signature fretless bass to the mix. Not long after that, JJ broke out the hauntingly melodic piano and Shine On You Crazy Diamond timbred synth you hear throughout. 
  Once it had a good structure to it, Mark came in and added the dynamic cello swells that open the song, some subtle strings, the melodic clarinet and flute, and a bit of synth pad near the end to spice up the soup a bit. He also had the great idea to ask Nyla to add some vocals, which she did in her typically dynamic and expressive way using her original lyrics. Last, but definitely not least, we convinced Stephen to add some of his perfectly mood-setting banjo. 
  Once it was all in the can, it actually sat for several months before being revived by Chris, who also did the production and mix, expertly, as always.
   This song is an example of Eclectic Collective coming together to bring another one of Chris' brilliant songs to life. You should check out his new albums on Spotify, which you can find by following this link. https://open.spotify.com/artist/0RmKLMyiXe4eVeXa032MDV?si=L0PZPN1FThy8C7mRVZMu6A
  Also, this is our first time collaborating with Nyla K. We wanted to find a way to include her talents on this one, and her vocals here are magical. You can hear a lot more of them on her page if you follow the link next to here name in the credits, too. We hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by Nyla K: 

I once overheard 
a hushed up conversation 
'tween the fishes coming home 
and thank god for a holiday
yea
making the bull frogs sing for joy
as they awake
yea
...and this... is what they had to say

Spanish moss and bullfrogs
cattail cotton in the wind
yea...
and won't U take me to the river
yea...
take me on down to the river
and U better not say...

Better Not Say (Eclectic Collective by CGManess, with Nyla K)

Tom Régnier https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier approached me with a beautiful piano piece and with the words 'Kiss Me Goodbye' to ask if I could make a song lyric out of this. After receiving my short sung part and having superb contributions from Jussi Welin https://soundcloud.com/juswel (Guitars and guitar arrangements) and Georg Boehme https://soundcloud.com/georg-boehme (Flute & Horns), Tom described it more as a journey than a song and I think he is right.
Painting by Paul Cézanne.


Kiss me goodbye
Now is the time
For us to part
Let it show
With all of your heart
Kiss me goodbye, let me go

Kiss Me Goodbye - Tom Régnier & Friends

Tom's piano melodies are so inspirational, not just to me (Mark) but also to Jussi, Georg and Boon. The energy of this piece carried us all off on a wonderful journey. We hope you enjoy the joyful enthusiasm that Tom initiated. Tom also gave me the key line, 'My Way Through' and I had to run with it as it made so much sense with this uplifting and hopeful music. Thanks for listening.

Tom Regnier -  @tom-r-gnier Music composition, piano and other instrumentation
Jussi Welin - @juswel First guitar and guitar arrangement
Georg Boehme - @georg-boehme Horns and horn arrangement
Boon Suzuki - @boon-suzuki Final guitar and guitar arrangement
Mark Bennett - Vocals and lyrics

Wherever you’re bound you know I’ll, 
Make my way through 
Sure may take a little while
 But I’ll make my way through

Wherever I’m bound I know I’ll,
 Make my way through
 It may take a longer while 
Till I make my way through

Wherever you’re bound,
…You’re bound
I know that I’m bound, yeah!

When I get there you know I’ll
Make my way through
Sure may need a broader smile
But I’ll make my way through.

My Way Through - Tom Régnier & Friends

Composer & arranger: Claes Steen-
Guitars: Jussi Welin (@juswel)
Vocals lyrics: Mark J Bennett (@markjbennett)

The sun still shines 
.............................................................................................
I don’t understand,
Why you’re not here anymore…
….Although the Sun is.
My head in the sand,
As you walked right out through that door.

You tell me that we’re no good,
I didn’t notice the signs
I want the weather to match my mood
Yet the Sun still shines

I ought to have seen,
Storms that were heading my way… 
….Forecast was fair though.
How blind I have been,
With no hope of making you stay.

I never do what I should,
Always forgot Valentines
I want the weather to match my mood
Yet the Sun still shines

Now it feels like it’s raining
But only on my face. 
No point in me complaining, 
Left in disgrace.

I can’t comprehend,
Where I went wrong this time?…
….Though there were some clues. 
Don’t say it’s the end,
Please let me atone for my crime.

You tell me that we’re no good,
I didn’t notice the signs
I want the weather to match my mood
Yet the Sun still shines

I never do what I should,
Always forgot Valentines
I want the weather to match my mood
Yet the Sun still shines

Front Line

The Sun Still Shines

The sun still shines (Steen/Bennett/Welin)

Claes Steen -Music Production and composing  



Dear listener, Feel free to leave comments and I'll try to reply.

I've been making music for around 16 years now but because of the wonderfully generous community that is SC, I have learned so much in a short time. I look forward to learning even more by collaborating. 
I suppose my strengths are in lyric-writing and singing. I feel fortunate to have been able to work with some stunning compositions by some very talented SCers.

My very best to you, Mark

Some links to recent Continental Collision streaming sites, etc are available below:

The sun still shines (Steen/Bennett/Welin)

Claes Steen

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