Wow Dan! Some of these lines here remind me of Vinnie Moore's Minds Eye album, ridiculous speed yet retaining elegant phrasing within!

feeling the struggles within your moods and playing - hoping for a better 2025 we are - hang in there and best wishes this holiday season and into the new year

Cathartic and powerful in its delivery! Music is the best way to express uncertainty, isn't it? Wow--great work as always!~

So fluid and smooth. Such nice work Dan. masterful!

"Through My Eyes" (Edit.: Mastered with iZotope Ozone 11 on December 4th, 2023)

This is a partly improvised "smooth jazz" or "lounge" track made as a humble tribute to my - for the most part American - collection of the wonderful musical adventure called smooth jazz that has given me so much over the years (maybe also the term "Westcoast music" could be relevant here). 

I shall call this track "Through My Eyes" because it kind of tries to capture and present something about the American smooth jazz tradition - as seen through my eyes. 

This track was loosely inspired first by Mr. Keith Jarrett's two wonderful songs, "The Good America" and "Country" which both express an enormously positive and hymn-like feeling, and second by Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 3 in F Major, III. Poco allegretto (Op. 90), the beauty of which has been "haunting" me for many years (and maybe also to some extent by Mozart's Symphony No. 40, I. Molto allegro, and Schubert's Symphony No. 8 "Unfinished", I. Allegro moderato, etc.).

I have not found out much about the origins of the two Mr. Jarrett's songs but in a recent interview he talks about them and rightly describes - if I understood correctly - the song "The Good America" as almost like a prayer. I also got the impression that both of these two Mr. Jarrett's songs kind of represent a view of America. 

I have also gotten inspiration here from the music of one of my all-time favorite jazz bands Spyro Gyra and from all the wonderful music that Mr. Carlos Santana has provided to the world. Last but not least as a source of inspiration I shall mention the music of Mr. Burt Bacharach (especially his breath-taking song "Bells of St. Augustine"). There is again also a bunch of other classical and popular music and jazz lurking on the background as a source of inspiration. 

The instruments and plugins I have been privileged to use here are once again my old workhorse Korg SGProX digital stage piano (master keyboard), Yamaha Montage 8 synthesizer (CFX Concert) and the wonderful instruments from Scarbee (Rhodes, EP-88S), Native Instruments (Abbey Road 80s Drummer), the UVI SonicPass and Arturia V Collection. The drum grooves, fills etc. are from the 80s Drummer and edited by me.

Through My Eyes

I sketched a short piece out of some melodies that came to my mind while I was dozing off early in the morning.

Simba, the adorable cat in the picture(2015), used to live in my neighborhood, but seems to have moved into the cat world a long time ago... I wish him all the best!

Piano Sketch 16 Hide And Seek

here is a link to the music video for the curious
https://youtu.be/KMl0QjZ3GM8?si=XS1ZBm20tEvklkTG


Alchemy and Stones
By David Husted

V1

Your an alchemist shaping my world
metal and leaf, herbs and fire
Your the pestle to ground the root
To shake my truth, without gun powder
   
ch                      
We were lost you see
Shattered stones with a strange alchemy
You're my mystic key reaching down deep into the
heart of me

V2
And the stones of philosophers
The secrets of flowers golden
The halls of wise, the dreams that lie behind
The paradise we long for

ch
We were lost you see
Shattered stones with a strange alchemy
You're my mystic key reaching down deep into the
heart of me

Rock Bridge

Ch Quiet

You're my mystic key reaching down deep into the
heart of me
                
V3

You take my cynical, my rigid , my narrow mind stiffening
You mix me it in your crucible, release internal conflicts
I'm tired of being wrapped up in my revolutions
Un-dress me take me inside your peaceful evolution

Your peaceful evolution
Your peaceful evolution
 

Ch  
I kind of think I might 
I kind of think I might 
I kind of think I might 
I kind of think I might

Love You

------------------------------------------

I have a new song release scheduled for 13 DEC 24 called Alchemy and Stones. 

In one of my past song journal entries my word of the day was amalgam and I threw in the word alchemy for good measure.  During the lyric building process for this song my brain seemed to be still heavily steeped in the essence of these words. They were percolating through my thought streams. Much of the lyrical content contains imagery associated with this chemistry of the past and its mythic symbols. Our messy world provided additional ingredients that fell into the steaming crucible and began to round out this song into its final state.

There were four different songs that fed my creative spark and development process.  They were the following:

Spoon: Wild
James McMurtry: Canola Fields
Fruit Bats: Waking Up in Los Angeles
Taylor Swift: Anti-Hero

Deep bow of gratitude to all these artists.  My primary reference for the arrangement was Wild and it had the deepest structural influence on the song. The McMurtry song helped me hit on an idea for the chorus melody that seemed to stick with me and I liked his vocal delivery and cadence. The Fruit Bats was really not used at all but I loved the ohhhs in the chorus and wanted to find a way to emulate the laid back ease of them in my song.  However, my particular song style, tempo and arrangement just never allowed an entry point. The Fruit Bats song did keep the juices flowing though so that is why it still receives honorable mention in this write-up.

Finally, the  song by Taylor Swift: Anti-Hero did have a role in my song believe it or not.  If you listen to one of the synths you will hear a gated pumping sound courtesy of an Auto Pan and a Phaser-Flanger Plug-in. I really should thank a Music Producer named Ill Factor for teaching me the sound design process here. He demonstrated the technique in a YouTube video. Pretty cool.  As I have said before, I learn something new in every new song I build.  It is always deeply enjoyable for me. I also appreciate you for leaning in and listening. I wish you all the very best.

Thank You

Have a Great Weekend,  

Dave
davidhusted.com

Alchemy and Stones

Step into the Athanor

From What I Lost Before...

is a quote from a song lyric by the alternative rock band Failure from the track called Long Division. You can see this track as a cover of or inspitation from this song. Of course it's totally different and focusses on the guitar work with several improvised leads, however it uses the same chords and melodies in places. Also the lyrics and the mood of the song strongly resonates with me, dealing with inner struggle, loss and understanding hard times. -Dan

Guitars, bass, drum programming, keyboards and arrangements by Dan van den Berg, based on 'Long Division' by Failure, December 2024

Guitar: Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HSH 2PT CM Mahogany Natural
Bass: Fender Performer Jazz Bass
Keyboards through Sampletank
Guitars recorded with AmpliTube
Music mixed and mastered in AURIA PRO
Cover art in Midjourney AI edited by Dan van den Berg

From what I lost before | Dan van den Berg

SON OF YUPPIE

Cast of Characters:  

TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– acoustic guitar, electric guitar solo, mix, production, and mastering

J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- Yamaha Genos 2 piano solo 

K2 and the Three [and the Four] -- @k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1– Warwick 4-string fretless bass, piano, mandolin, and vocals

This is an old Jerry Jeff Walker song from a live album that Josh's dad played countless times while driving around in his his old pickup truck while he was growing up. Josh decided this year's musical gift to his father would be a recording of this song, which his dad has always loved. When he asked his bandmates in the Eclectic Collective to help him with it, they all generously and enthusiastically agreed to do so.

  Josh began the song by laying down the piano you hear throughout. He then added the bass before asking Ken to lay down the drums. Ken learned the song very quickly, and added perfect drums to it. Stephen then added his solid foundational guitar. Then, Josh went back in and added the mandolin before singing the whole thing. Before it was done, however, Josh tapped JJ to add the piano solo after the first chorus, which he did with grand style and flourish.

  Once it was in the can, Stephen was kind enough to mix and master it in his always professional manner. 

  Josh is very grateful to his bandmates for helping him give the gift of music to his dad once again this year. His dad has alwasy supported him with his music, from the time he was a little kid, and is very proud of his musical skills to this day. We hope you enjoy listening to this

Pickup Truck Song - (Eclectic Collective)

I've found this interesting instrumental/dub on the soundcloudpage of Llanpsych: 

https://soundcloud.com/llanpsych/pinto-riddim?si=cc966ee163f142a18e00fc9c7b393e51&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
... and i began to sing..
Lyrics: Dub double and twice (collab Llanpsych)  

Don’t know what she’s thinking
Don't know what she’s hiding
She don’t talk a lot
She looks really hot

She is so mysterious 
That’s what you like, i guess 
Don’t wanna fall in love,
To late you are a mess

She is very clever
She don’t tell her secrets 
Her recipe for succes
She wants more, don’t settle for any less

Anything she wants 
She wants it  double and twice

dub double and twice (collab Llanpsych)

I always enjoy jamming on Hendrik's cool grooves ! ... so, thanks man !
@cosmic-ratzzz - everything // joerxworx - soprano sax

Lunatics 213 / The Visitor / Ratzzz & joerxworx

Picnic in the Park  - Watch my video short! https://youtu.be/Z90D8qLSHjY?si=9lbkSdG-aeu_zr4H

A glorious day 
For a Picnic in the Park
Birds are chirping, 
Swans are swimming
Children laughing, 
The sun is grinning.
On a blanket of grass, 
We lay 
Side by side, 
Savoring each taste
Of food, drink, 
A kiss, 
On this lovely day.

Poem and Music by
Jennifer L. Jones
Music Dreams Productions
March 22, 2025

Picnic in the Park

"The Timeless Garden" is a place to just escape, where everything slows down and magic seems to float in the air. It’s a hidden spot full of calm, wonder, and a little bit of legend.

The Timeless Garden

Deuxième Partie [ Première Partie : https://soundcloud.com/user-919732565/01-autumn-fallen-leaves ]

01 - OT - TMI - Dusting The Strings TM
02 - SA - WE - My Preset 01
03 - Heavyocity - Ascend Modern Grand - Ethereal Swirling
04 - SA - LABS - Moon Guitar - Trems
05 - Sonuscore - The Orchestra Complete - Strings Basic 8ths 01 - Lost In Thoughts

02 - Autumn - Dusting The Strings

THE NEW ALBUM OF MY BAND THE HYPERSONIC FACTOR  CALLED BELEVOLENT BEASTS IS OUT NOW!  AVAILABLE ON ALL STREAMING SERVICES!
featuring:
Jason Rubenstein - Keyboards, Piano, compositions, arrangements and producer
Mirko Borach - Bass and compositions
Tom Hipskind - Drums
Dan van den Berg - Electric and Acoustic guitars, compositions, arrangements, synthesizers
https://thehypersonicfactor.bandcamp.com/album/benevolent-beasts



Check my SOLO Album here! https://danielvandenberg.bandcamp.com/album/short-tales-for-three-guitars

This site is for my musical avatar or alter ego. Architect/partner/company owner by day, I find myself playing guitar and writing these tracks in afterhours, at nights, evenings, when in need of a dose of guitar sounds. You will find a wide range of guitar oriented music, ranging from Jazz to Blues, Flamenco to Classical, Rock to Fusion. And many collaborations with some great musicians.

I have been playing guitar since I was 11 years old, largely self-taught and have tried different styles and instruments: Renaissance lute, flamenco guitar, classical guitar, steel string guitar and electric guitar with which I have been playing in styles ranging from rock and metal in my early years to classical music, some American Folk music, jazz rock, prog rock, flamenco nuevo and fusion.

It’s been a splendid time here so far, in collaborating with a lot of brilliant musicians on SoundCloud and sharing ideas and the passion for music. 
My collaborations are with musicians that I have a deep respect for and have a mutual appreciation for real instruments, and musical styles that focus on letting the instruments “shine”. 

Here is some technical data:
Currently I am using Amplitube and Auria on an iPad as DAW with Final Touch for mastering. For acoustic recording I use an Apogee microphone.

Guitars are:
Fender AMERICAN ELITE STRATOCASTER® HSS SHAWBUCKER, 2016
Fender Stratocaster Squire (first edition: JV-series)
Ibanez JS100, Joe Satriani model
Evh Frankie Striped MN Relic R/W/B

EVH 5150 Series Standard Stealth Black EB guitar
Fender American Professional II Stratocaster HSS Olympic White RW
Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HSH 2PT CM Mahogany Natural
Paulino Bernabe, Taller de Guitarras, Model-50, 2001, classical concert guitar
Marín, Modelo Estudio /9 Calidad, 1997, Malaga, Spain, flamenco guitar
Joan Cashimira, modelo 145, spruce top w/ cocobolo sides and back, Gata de Gorgos (Alicante), 2015

I hope you will enjoy my music.

Daniël van den Berg
DanArchX

From what I lost before | Dan van den Berg

Dan van den Berg

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