Welcome to our 2024 summer song series exploring human development from cave dwelling, to the shadow of nuclear destruction, to a hopeful vision of shared peace and prosperity. If we work together, we can solve most things if we talk. 
Our international band in this series:
With Soundcloud's most beautiful voice: Oddrun Eikli - @oddrun-eikli
Acoustic guitars: David Dunham - @david-dunhamuser589535203
Our outstanding poet & songwriter: Peter - soundcloud.com/user-264930040/tracks
Our inspired producer, composer, compilation, and mix master: Seagull - @farout-music-studio

A Shared Horizon, We Solve Most Things If We Talk (Seagull, Oddrun, Peter, David)

We begin our new song series "A Shared Horizon--We Solve Most Things If We Talk". 
Have you ever thought about humanity and its so-called progress and development through all the millennia on our fantastic little globe, floating on its spiral path around our sun, in the infinity around us. 
Our little "international band" did that for a period of time, and our conversations and thoughts gave birth to music and lyrics. And this music and lyrics became a little story, in 5 parts, which we want to share with you all by publishing a part of the story every week. 
So we wish you all a pleasant experience and listening as you journey with us these next few weeks:)  First song of the series: "Ancient Man, Calm Stream"
Many thousands of years ago, our ancestors lived here on our little globe. Did they have any idea of the future..... and if so what was "future" for them? "Tomorrow, next week, or next year?" Did they even have a word for future? Or was life exclusively about developing and expanding the group and getting food for the day? Or did they, too, have other goals and meaning with their lives?

Lyrics and vocals: Our dear poet Peter, soundcloud.com/user-264930040/tracks
Music, Mix and Production; Seagull, @farout-music-studio
Spoken word/lyric:
I have no words, just thoughts, like these
Of primal cravings, fears and needs.
My leathered skin, yet young, seems older
Browned and cracked I shiver colder
Depicting beasts muralled large within my cave,
Their fatty flesh my empty gut to crave.

Bursting fires from the frozen mountain thread
And weave and belch and burn and spit of ochres red.
The very poison whence my paintbox palette grows
'Neath the toxic gases twixt congealing lava flows.
In these extremes we live, but few, the young into
the perma-sleep will often fall
And not so old, our eldest ageing too, follow close
upon the darkest terror's call.

Meat and heat is all I need,
Stone and bone, all I own.
Skin the flesh, strip it clean.
Cleanse it in the calming stream.

Strip the skin, spit the pips,
Moisturize the burning lips.
Skin the flesh, strip it clean.
Cleanse it in the calming stream.

We who thought, conversed, composed and collaborated around this musical journey are;
Soundcloud's most beautiful voice: Oddrun Eikli - @oddrun-eikli
Our fine acoustic guitarist: David Dunham - @david-dunhamuser589535203
Our outstanding poet & songwriter: Peter - soundcloud.com/user-264930040/tracks
Producer, composer, compilation, our gifted and visionary mix-master: Seagull - @farout-music-studio

Ancient Man, Calm Stream (Seagull; synths, Peter; spoken word and vocals)

The second song in our summer series; "A Shared Horizon..." takes us from the bare existence of cave dwelling and primitive art; to tribal society, city/state, and advancing civilization. But it has its pitfalls. Just as basic moral values are amplified for the good of society, there lurks in the shadows a growing evil of greed and lust for power, often by the very leaders placed in power.  It would become for mankind "the best of times and the worst of times".
A huge thank you again to Seagull and Peter for their vision, creativity, and production expertise in making this series possible:) 
Oddrun;
Lead us on
To a golden dawn
A warming place
Of hope’s embrace
David;
And lo! Established as it was, the platform of our species from caved ashes so to rise
Though needs of leaders quite because of traits depraved that good Gods may despise.
But why in aeons’ sequence led you must as always to the route of social harms?
We placed therein our sacred trust of democratic fruits within your grasping scaly palms.
Each brave insanity’s crooked generation of your leadership has truly failed.
As the slave galley of humanity to the devil’s veneration unto hellish waters duly sailed.
Oddrun;
Save us now
Help us breathe somehow
You sate your greed
While our future bleeds
David;
On every front we count your preachers labouring ‘neath our own travails,
Freedoms, equity, justice, truth, each our moral sense assails,
Education, nurtured health and social care just as with security, were never profit counted there,
All ghosted children’s wealth stolen with impunity whilst you, despotic, thrive on bountied fare.
No plans for the good, the safe and caring, where parental ties ever fearful, are left despairing.
For every future you have raped, baring lies bequeathed upon the tearful bible of your swearing.
Oddrun;
Buried alive
‘Neath your craven lies
Your cataract eyes
The blinding fog of our demise
David;
And now the circle is complete on its infinity of broken planal points,
As to the murk we fall replete, a trinity of cloven hooves profanely to anoint.
And yet, as poverty defines this shrine, wherein within, there’s naught that’s mine,
Not even of old bone and stone, or painted ochre fine
But whilst my furry forebears appreciated well, all that on their back was theirs.
I smell the consequence that all your works regressive lack, for we, the caveman’s heirs.
Music & Narration; Our fine guitarist; David, @david-dunhamuser589535203
Vocals; Soundcloud's most wonderful voice; Oddrun, @oddrun-eikli
Lyrics; Our dear poet Peter, soundcloud.com/user-264930040/tracks
Compilation, Mix and Production; Our gifted Seagull, @farout-music-studio

Developing Man (Seagull; synths, Oddrun; vocals, Peter; lyric/poetry, David; guitars, narration)

The third song in our summer series "We Solve Most Things If We Talk" examines the so-called progress of modern man. Are humanity's societies and social structures built over centuries really for everyone? Or only for groups of self-selected members?
Unfortunately, it is clear that large parts of humanity, during the course of our collective journey, again and again, ended up by the side of the road.  And what is the difference between the man in the stone cave and the modern man in his cardboard box or concrete conduit/cave?  We can't help but get the feeling that the man in the stone cave was somehow happier and more satisfied with his situation; it is all he knew.  The homeless (for whatever reason) know better...and hope for better.

Music & Lyric; Our dear poet Peter, soundcloud.com/user-264930040/tracks
Compilation, Mix and Production; Seagull, @farout-music-studio
With his high-string guitar; David Dunham, @david-dunhamuser589535203 
Thank you Seagull and Peter for letting me share this painful and poignant vision with you.

Modern Man:

I shuffle to, in my dripping cardboard palace,
Introspect on what the mental mind of evening brings.
The muffled dealer with his clingfilm-wrapped tripping malice
Prospects his kindly rental of the used syringe.

My box of brokenness shadowed by a higher human soul where lumens dare not tread
Detox wrapped in hollow stories still untold that crucify the thoughts within my head.
Needle patterns deathly blue upon my inner arm profess of no tattoo,
But of the crystal meth, whose harm, distressed, for me a living lie holds true.

Woven flaws, tangled webs of sins and hopes, regret a past mis-spent of futures told
Proven cause reflected in the ancients, whose tropes my nights now represent from days of old
Nothing that all of history built can yet detect the progress dial shifted
Nor the deeds nor the strength nor the intellect with which this vile human head was gifted

And within our minor symphonic demise, against which burning cold I close my eyes
All sin and crass politic lies now clear unfold, presenting no surprise that’s evident
I clock the days with callow patience as light defrays and my hopes relent
Futility and contradiction, sallowed latent time displays my childhood benediction rent asunder

Amid the sweet fair calling thunder of the ghosts of every child as yet unborn
There to meet me, falling at the hanging post, tempered mild, await my passing, so to mourn.

Modern Man (Peter; guitar, vocal, Seagull; synths, David; guitar

The fourth song of our summer series "We Can Solve Most Things If We Talk" is a hymn to Hope.  It is the enduring attribute of mankind to be able to think beyond the most painful circumstances and imagine a better life and a better world.  Peter is not just a fine writer of melody and lyrics, but a very able and eloquent guitarist and vocalist.  Oddrun graces this song with her angelic voice as if she were Hope itself, and in duet they give the song wings.  Seagull's synths, bass, and mix are ever sure and seamless, a true labor of love.
Music, Lyrics, Guitars & Vocals; Our dear poet Peter, soundcloud.com/user-264930040/tracks
Vocals; Soundcloud's most wonderful voice; Oddrun, @oddrun-eikli
Compilation and mix by visionary producer; Seagull, @farout-music-studio

Will you Raise Your Right Hand?

Peter
Can you number the circle’s rim, each point on a list?
Enumerate the air, simply cupping of your hands
Freedom lantern’s falling dim in honesty’s fading mist
But will you raise your right hand, when hope makes its stand?

Oddrun
Can you census the clouds, in a ledger of the sky
Set out in a single line each and every grain of sand
When the despot weaves his thieving lies will you stand idly by
Or will you raise your right hand, when hope makes its stand?

Peter & Oddrun
Can you audit every atom, in a volume for the shelf
Each uniquely named, indexed on demand
Does the mirror only fathom, a shallow of your self
Or will you raise your right hand, when hope makes its stand?

Oddrun & Peter
Can you detail every shimmered light on a canvas of the stars
A snapshot of the cosmos as at light speed it expands
Will you document but passive shame in the volumes of your pale memoirs
Or will you raise your right hand, when hope makes its stand?

Oddrun & Peter
Can you hoist the flag of humankind above the crass material world
Crush the armies of greed, their legions to disband
When the shining banner of grace is finally unfurled
Did you raise your right hand, when hope made its stand?

Hopeful Man--Will You Raise Your Right Hand (Peter, Oddrun, and Seagull)

We conclude our Summer Series on a hopeful note and a glimpse into the future.  Mankind has finally found that it can accept the differences that divide us, share the bounty between us, and become a vast community governed by faith, hope, and love. How did such a thing come about?  We collectively took a step back from the brink of self-annihilation by realizing "we solve most things if we talk".  
Ironically, this was the most complex song of the five to put together,  We all had an idea of how we wanted it to turn out, and thanks to Seagull and a lot of talking between us behind the scenes, we came to consensus and a final version.  Our little band is proof "we can solve most things if we talk":)  It has been an honor to work with each of you: 
Music composition, 1st guitar (center), bass, synths, mix and production; Seagull, @farout-music-studio
Right & Left Guitar; Our wonderful guitarist; David, @david-dunhamuser589535203
Lyrics & Vocals; Our dear poet Peter, soundcloud.com/user-264930040/tracks
Vocals and harmonies; Soundcloud's most wonderful voice; Oddrun, @oddrun-eikli
And the key phrase at the end; The lovely little Finley, 7 years old.

We Solve Most Things If We Talk

Summer rain finds my face, splashing through my smile
Thunder rumbles fall away, storm is phasing through
Peace of mind is on the case, misery is in denial,
Yesterday’s squally day, tomorrow’s skies are azure blue.

Dreams of history’s tension gladly start to ease
Gripping claws of lunacy finally shun the past
Seems things turned out badly for hunger and disease
Slipping towards unity, laying down the guns at last.

Call my neighbour as my friend, our meanings line as one
Colour, gods and politics accepted as they are
Mutualities to defend no conflict clouds our shining sun
Consideration and respect, a communal repertoire

Mother Mary called today
Handed me a flower stalk
Kissed my worries clean away
We solve most things if we talk.

Need as might we understand equality’s a bed of lies
Celebrate uniqueness as a cast of human thread
Day and night, hand in hand, no polity compromise
Learning from our weakness past, focused on the light ahead.

Mother Mary spoke today
Led me on a learning walk
Eased my troubles on the way
We solve most things if we talk.

Mother Mary sang today
Left me with a simple thought
The wisest heads will simply say
We solve most things if we talk.
"We Solve Most Things If We Talk"

Contented Man (Seagull, Oddrun, Peter, David)

I am a finger-style guitarist living on the Texas high plains.  At the core of my music is melody that is inspired and informed by my Christian faith, family, friends, and countless influences through the years from the great composers, to jazz, folk, rock, Latin, Celtic, and the many fine musicians I have come to love on the Cloud, some I have been privileged to collaborate with.  Thanks for stopping by to have a listen. Comments are always welcome. Feel free to click on the picture of any track to learn more about it.