Best of the Cloud 2022 03 26

Yellow & Blue

Best of v1

Monday Playlist week of 4/11/2022

Monday Playlist week of 6/20/2022

Collaborations with Special Friends

This song was written by Chuck Berry while in prison and was recorded
in 1964.  This " poor boy" traveled across dozen states by bus, train and
plane to get to his promise land (California).  It was also recorded by
Elvis Presley .  Remember, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Freddy Weller,
had a hit with it also.  Louisiana's own Johnny Allen also had a hit with
it here in cajun land.  Having a little fun with this one.

Promise Land ( Cover of Chuck Berry )

Ethiopia  
Words & music: Pravinand Maharaj (Johnny Minstrel)

Your fear has overcome you
And faith is just a matter of doing what you really doubt
Your strength has slowly left you
And everything you lost are the only things you cared about

Your dreams in shattered jars of clay now
Scattered all across the world and everybody knows
You scream through another day now
But all you hear are echoes of yourself the valley throws

Chorus
So far you couldn’t remember Eden
So down the road you don’t know who you are
So close to the post of the one left scourged and bleeding
On the desert road back to Ethiopia

The light is slowly fading
Edges of the darkness are creeping on your soul
Your queen back home is waiting
Waiting for the gift that can’t be bought or sold

Chorus
A sound and your heart it freezes
Till a voice tells you be not afraid
Just be strong
There’s a man and he’s sent by Jesus
As your fears disappear
You ask him what took so long

Chorus




Ethiopia

Produced by Halima & Torna
https://www.instagram.com/halimabot/

Rent

Deep Pools, Deep pools
Reflecting a perfect moon
In an empty sky
But where are the birds that fly
Why have they gone so soon

Deep Pool, deep pools
Reflecting the morning star
At the break of day
But how can it fade away
When it shines so far

Deep pools, the depths of those mystic eyes
Darker than midnight skies
Is where my love lies

Deep pools, I gaze into eternity
To where we will always be
Forever you and me

Deep Pools, deep pools
Reflecting the swaying tree
In the fading glow
Leaves falling like the autumn snow
Drifting endlessly

Deep pools, the depths of those mystic eyes
Darker than midnight skies
Is where my love lies

Deep pools, I gaze into eternity
To where we will always be
Forever you and me

Deep pools, in dark eyes
Falling so far below
From the world above
Capturing all my love
Surrounding all I know

Single (C)2021
Music - Andrew Pickles and Sreyashi Mukherjee
Lyrics, Instruments and Arrangement - Andrew Pickles
Vocals - Sumi (Sreyashi Mukherjee)

A Little Zen (with Andrew Pickles)

Such a great artist and singer/songwriter.  Real and down to earth
songs that are so relatable.  One of country's greatest.  I love Merle
Haggard and I love this tune.  My thanks to my friend, Lefty Mike,
for his vocals,harp,bass and helping with the recording.  Mike is a 
talented singer/songwriter with great songs on SC.  It would be
a treat to visit his SC page.

The Way I Am  (cover by Chuck Aaron and Left Mike)

Introduction in English:

Most recently, after a long time, I was at the "Black Cafe" on Berlin's Kurfürstendamm. And as I sat there, I remembered a scene from my life that was the starting point for the song "Treason:
About 25 years ago I'm sitting one Saturday morning at three o'clock in the Black Cafe. Although I hardly ever drink alcohol, I'm drinking my third glass of vodka to wash down the increasingly painful shock of a triple betrayal: 
My wife betrayed our fidelity alliance because she cheated on me. My best friend betrayed our friendly loyalty because my wife cheated with him. And finally, I betrayed myself by taking poor care of myself and blindly trusting them.
The associated feeling of "nothing is the same as it was before" and "everything that seemed so right now appears wrong, upside down, or in shambles..." I have tried to express with this song.

Treason

Red light turns blue
Discreetly, data is stolen
The upright mountain 
Is in truth a tiny garden gnome

The handshake firm yet shallow
A promise that gives way to crime
A gold bar suspiciously light
Wryly calibrated

The walking stick breaks
A black spider - wanders into the light

Treason
Treason
Tre-e-e-ason

The asphalt is only slightly corrugated
The minister of truth is ordered

A work of art seduces 
Adorned with the signs of lies
A garden squints colourfully
And yet has false teeth in its mouth

A blossoming rose already withered
The topping-out feast with rotten beams
A trumpeter who blows on a comb
Freshly bared

The embraced strangled
The most familiar dies

Treason
Treason
Tre-e-e-ason

The asphalt is only slightly corrugated
The minister of truth orders

Treason

This is my latest piece, i am very proud of it but its not quite finished, Its an emotional journey about dreaming the life you want.  i was just very excited and wanted to get a version out there quickly! I will eventually upload another one when i get it perfect. What does this piece say to you? I would love your feedback.

Dream Of Better Times

SEARCHING YOU
-----------------------------

Theme composed during the last three months.

An authentic dream to have shared this work with these formidable musicians. Thanks to both.

Dan DT. Digital Voices
Loue Ghazi. Synthesizers, guitar and part of the percussion
Midisound. Synthesizers, guitar and part of the percussion.

Vídeo by Loue Ghazi.

youtu.be/YS2I8-qlfGQ

Mixing and editing Loue Ghazi

Cover art, by Loue Ghazi.

thanks for repost, likes and comments.

Paco.

Searching you (Loue Ghazi, Dan DT & Midisound) - See video link in descrption

I dedicate this music to my homeland - Ukraine.
In this music there are motives of the Ukrainian folk song "oh on the mountain" and the state anthem of Ukraine.

Ukraine

Guitar 5avenue Godin Live Rec 85 Bpm 2022 03 24 M

The horrific situation in Ukraine is on everyone's mind - Gathered to tell our story here are great friends and musicians who bring their hearts to the unfolding situation. Sennid Simon's super soulful lyrics and groove are so welcoming. Our two exceptional guitarists - Stephan Lipinski and Lou Taverna - alternate a total of 6 not to be missed burning solos across the funk, Georg Boehme's tight baritone sax adds glue with both funky inside and outside playing and Sergio Parraga's exciting congas and lead quinto drive it all forward and add to the tension. Lou's added some additional rhythm and harmony guitar parts for even more color.
Just doing our musical thing for Ukraine and freedom...

Follow these fine musicians:
@sennid
@pinner
@louis-taverna
@sergioparraga

Thanks as always for your generous time listening, for your comments and for your shares. And continuing prayers for Ukraine...

Funk The War - Sennid Simon / Stephan Lipinski / Lou Taverna / Sergio Parraga / Jamie Rhind

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander
Guitar: Davy Vance https://soundcloud.com/skub1955

Not much I can do about the tragic events in Ukraine. I've decided that the aggressors can't appropriate the Z, so I'm taking it back in this metaphorical musical battle.

This is a tweaked master (for some of you this may be basics). I moved both the organ and vocal noisegate from last to first in the effects chain. This allows the effects such as delay to work and sound as intended. Also tried a saturator on the lead "high" vocal to make it stand out more in the mix. You will all let me know if this worked (it is most noticeable at the end where you can hear the organ fade out with the planned delay). On a side-note if anybody is interested in how the "sucking" effect is achieved on the drums it is using a combination of regular and reverse reverb. 

TAKING BACK THE Z

I’m taking back the Z
You can’t have it
You can’t have it
You can’t have it
You can’t have it
You can’t have it
It’s not white 
Z belongs to U
Yellow and blue
U
Yellow and blue
U

I can’t let go, it’s all I got
I can’t let go, it’s all I got
I can’t let go, no 

I’ll move from place to place
I’ll zig and I’ll zag
I’ll duck and I’ll hide
I’ll stay alive
I can’t let go, no

I’ll weave and I’ll bob
Be a thorn in your side
I’ll run and I’ll jump
No river’s too wide
I can’t let go, no

I’m taking back the Z
It’s all mine
It’s all mine
It’s all mine
It’s all mine
It’s all mine
It’s not white
Z belongs to U
Yellow and blue
U
Yellow and blue
Yellow and blue

I can’t let go, it’s all I got
I can’t let go, it’s all I got
I can’t let go, no 

I’ll beg and I’ll pray, 
Turn every stone
I’ll rant and I’ll rave
I’ll never rest
I can’t let go, no

I’ll be your worst nightmare
No matter your might
Be your worst nightmare 
Both day & night
I can’t let go, no

It’s all mine…

Taking Back The Z

Taking Back The Z | Davy Vance 🎸

I, I don't need a sign
To protest what you're doing
To protest what you're doing
Is that alright? I'm not your kind
Cause' I, I don't follow blind
The faith in what you're leading
The faith in what you're leading
It has died, crucified, oh...
-------------------------------------------------------
Enter nothingness, throw it all away
Face of emptiness, need some regime change
So complacent with all the thoughts you keep
In too deep with this self indulging way
-------------------------------------------------------
Hide from all your lies
It's bullshit what you're saying
It's bullshit what you're saying
in my eyes you're not right
Mirror your disguise, breaking glass today
All along this time, you've been in my way
-------------------------------------------------------
Enter nothingness, throw it all away
Face of emptiness, need some regime change
So complacent with all the thoughts you keep
In too deep with this self indulging way

PROTEST

This track was written at home in Kyiv in the last week before the war has been started by Russia under the influence of a sense of growing danger and hopelessness.

My Mind

I made this song as a vow to my first love.Fascinated by the aurora borealis she wanted only one thing, to go and be fascinated even more by that strange light.I made a vow to myself that one day I would take her and enjoy the aurora together...

The Northern Lights

What an honor to be invited to collaborate with ace guitarist, composer, and producer Seagull to create a moving tribute and memorial to the people of Ukraine; those who have been displaced, those who chose to remain, those who have perished in the senseless, needless war, especially the children.  Seagull directed my attention to this very recently release video featuring Pink Floyd and Andriy Khlyvnyuk of Boombox.  It is incredibly moving. www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUfVmtAvfdg 
Seagull: Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Synth soundscape
Clara: Vocals
David: Acoustic Guitar
Hear more of Seagull's fine music @farout-music-studio

When The Light Fades (with Seagull, Clara, and David)

Such an honor to be invited again to collaborate with Seagull, a wonderful musician and creator who challenges me to reach beyond my usual genre of music to add to his.  This time it is to join him in a place of rest for the heart away from the turmoil that fills the headlines.  We ask you to join us too for a few brief minutes.
More of Seagull's lovely music can be heard @farout-music-studio

Rest My Heart (Seagull--Synths, Electric Guitar, Bass; David Dunham--Classical Guitar)

One of Nature's sweetest fragrances, rain-washed air.  What a delight and honor to join Dan-DT, Clara, and Seagull in making this fragrant aural experience, and my maiden voyage into Dan's lovely genre of French Fantasy more of which can be heard @dan-t-3.  Seagull's lovely music can be heard here @farout-music-studio.

After The Rain  (Dan-DT, Clara, David, and Seagull)

Written by: Hoyt Axton, Kenneth Elvin JR. Higginbotham
Produced by: Josh McAlexander

Evangelina

How wonderful it is to work with skilled guitarist and synth artist Seagull and ace guitarist Ed Cunningham on our tribute to the night sky; a favorite pastime of mine in years gone by. I was once an avid amateur astronomer (still have my telescope), until I got caught up in the guitar universe and this wonderful place called Soundcloud.  I still manage to get out now and then to capture a little starlight.  Hear more of Seagull's fine productions @farout-music-studio and Ed's beautiful guitar music @westtracksmusic

Starlight(Seagull; guitars and synths, Ed Cunningham; electric guitar, David Dunham; acoustic guitar

Quietude in the midst of chaos, confusion, uncertainty, and restlessness; Seagull captures an Eden-like vision of tranquility and reflection.  It also came with a surprise he kept securely under his hat; I would be joined in the collaboration with him by two of my favorite SC artists, Ed Cunningham and Dan-t, masters of their genre. I didn't know until he unveiled the finished product.  My approach turned out to be "less is more" so I show up to the party fashionably late at just past the 2:00 mark, but what a lovely party...and vision.  I hope you think so too. Seagull also gave sight to the sound which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxFYED8OEeQ Hear more fine music from these maestros:
Seagull @farout-music-studio
Ed @westtracksmusic
Dan-t @dan-t-3
Photo credit; Dan-t

The Quietude (Seagull, Ed Cunningham, Dan-t, David Dunham)

What began as a prosaic comment evolved into an enriching collaboration.  Our friend and Soundcloud poet laurate Peter joins us on a fishing voyage.  Seagull, not content to do a simple voice over, remixes the track and places us on a fishing boat, the sea a bit rough, the gulls impatient for part of the catch, and Peter not just reading but dynamically narrating what he is experiencing on the deck of the ship.  What an honor to work with these artists enlarging on our previous collaboration.  Please check out more of Seagull's music @farout-music-studio, and Peter's poignant songs and poetry @user-264930040

My sanctuary from archive gleans
The gentle times, wherein my mind
Recalls a childhood spent in dreams
Of bobbing boats on ocean spied.

Here, the call of a benevolent sea
The briny, perfumed honesty
Of adolescent memories.

But whence this salty desert sea
Where once the skinny trawler plied?
Plastic water ocean streams
Where finny, swimmy fish should lie.

Silenced of the chuggy motors
Decimated by their quotas
Where the haddock, cod and herring bloaters?

The factory ships that hoovered clean
Of scaly friends the sea main wide.
Its cheaply speckled high protein
Squandered as the herring gull cried.

Where the fishers, where the boats?
Where the nets, and yellow rubber coats?
Where the pots, and lines and corky floats?

...wherein my mind
Recalls a childhood spent in dreams
Of bobbing boats on ocean spied.
Why, they set sail for the past it seems,
Upon tomorrow's ebbing tide.

Childhood Memory--Updated (Seagull, David, and featuring Peter)

From our upcoming album, Megalopolis (2024)

Apart From The System

Colab with the awesome Roger /B-Train . Roger is playing the very kool wah guitar.All smiles here Brudda !!!

Rogers B train/Colab

A Tribute to all the Wonderful People I have Met on Soundcloud.

LYRICS  " Here's To All My Sound Cloud Friends "
COLORADO TO SCOTLAND
SOUTH CAROLINA TO JAPAN
CANADA TO ALABAMA 
SUNDERLAND AND FRANCE
HERE'S TO ALL THE ROCKERS
THE BLUES MEN ON GUITAR
TO ALL THE GREAT COMPOSERS
AND THE LYRICS FROM YOUR HEART
HERE'S TO ALL MY SOUND CLOUD FRIENDS 
HERE I UP AND GO AND WRITE AGAIN
MUSICS UNIVERSAL 
NO MATTER WHAT LANGUAGE YOU SING
IT REACHES EVERY COUNTRIES CORNERS
AND RIDES THOSE ANGELS WINGS 
HERE'S TO ALL MY SOUND CLOUD FRIENDS
TO ALL THE GREAT SINGERS
AND THE ORIGINALS THAT YOU WRITE
ROCK BLUES AND COUNTRY
THE MUSIC THAT NEVER DIES
MUSICS UNIVERSAL
NO MATTER WHAT STYLE YOU PLAY
IT CROSSES EVERY BORDER
AND BRIGHTENS UP YOUR DAYS
HERE'S TO ALL MY SOUND CLOUD FRIENDS

"Here's To All My Sound Cloud Friends" ( Original Tribute To All ) With Lyrics

Antiquities in Tupelo ©
2019 LYRICS BY Tony Harris (BMI)
(with some tweaks by Riff)
Music/Vocal/Mix by Riff Beach
The cover art is the Painting hanging in the Shop 

Walking into an Antique Store
On a cold Winter's day
I noticed a painting…...
That I hadn't seen before
With a Guitar in the Center
Well, my mind, it went back in time
To when Elvis lived here
Such a fine picture
Strollin' through the shop
Well, he was on my mind
Yeah, Tupelo….
That's where he learned to play
On an old flat top
(Chorus)
We were Antiquin' in Tupelo
What a fun thing to do
Antiquin' in Tupelo
On a cold Winter's day
Let your mind relax….and float away
Down in Tupelo
On a cold Winter's day
And you know, all his Daddy could afford
Was a two-room house
But, it kept him from being bored….
Playing music over in East Tupelo
This 'Ol Southern town
Why, it just has music in it's soul
You can feel it in the air - everywhere
As you drive around
In Tupelo…..
We were Antiquin' in Tupelo
What a fun thing to do
Just Antiquin' in Tupelo
On a cold Winter's day

Antiquities In Tupelo - Lyrics by Tony Harris - Featuring Riff Beach - Original

Written by Josh McAlexander
Produced and Performed by Josh McAlexander

Watching over me

Watching Over Me (Original)

The City - Words & Music by Pravinand Maharaj

Once it was a city
Now it’s just a street
With every mile another dream lays crushed
And the sun shows no pity
Pouring out its heat
As mighty towers crumble into dust

One by one they followed
One by one they left without a trace

There were signs on the water
Portents in the sky
The Watchers blind by sleep didn’t see a thing
Six crows at the altar
A bargain for the price
Half less worth an eagle’s broken wing

One by one they followed
One by one they left without a trace

What walks the moon at midnight
Through the narrow lanes 
Lurking in the shadows that it cast
A pestilence upon us, a blight
A spreading stain
Taking everything out on its path

One by one they followed
One by one they left without a trace

So, sing the last love song written
Drink up the vineyard grape
Rouse the ghosts of tomorrow from their slumber
If I break out of this prison
And the hour’s not too late
I’ll be down the road without a name or number

One by one they followed
One by one they left without a trace

Pravinand: Vocals and Acoustic
Bas: Backing Vocals and Electric
Mix and Mastered by Bas Kooman

The City - Johnny Minstrel and Bas Kooman

Original song 1998 - Added a 3rd verse to this song in April 2013.

Soldier And The Cross #2 (Lyrics by Tony - Vocals & Music production by Pat Eriksson) 2013 version

Quixotic

A One

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.