It is true that the result exceeds expectations in every respect .... Each of you has brought the complementary element to make this collaboration a complete success.

Thanks so much for inviting me along to contribute to this latest epic project of yours Seagull - it's an honour and an education to develop musical ideas with yourself, Dan and David and as usual your curation and production of the whole piece is tremendous.

Thank you Seagull and Peter for letting me accompany you on this journey, both in this song and in the Compendium. Your insights, creativity, and production skill has made this series something very personal and special.

Cosmic and mystical wrapper for a delight.

birth to death, hectic swirl of all the chaos of living..wonderful words and thoughts..guitars and music better than ever..I think to make the best use of time is to not worry about how much you have left

In recent years, I've had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with some of the amazing artists I've met here on Soundcloud, who have also become very good friends of mine. This list is some of the creations we made together.

Have a good time in the world of music. ;)

Seagull

Some of my best collaborations in no particular order

What absolute joy I have been able to experience in recent weeks by working together with these three eminent musicians, composers and producers.
Dan-DT, Ed Cunningham and David Dunham. It's the first time all four of us have collaborated and the result is "The Quietude".
I am very honored, and filled with joy!
So a very warm thank you gentlemen for your generosity and friendship. ;)

Since the theme of this song is the "inner stillness" we all need sometimes, there is also a video for this song on my youtube channel. Please watch it as it adds another dimension to these gentlemen's eminent musical abilities. ;)
You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxFYED8OEeQ

Many thanks Dan for the very beautiful and appropriate track image you created!

We wish you all a moment of "inner stillness". ;)

Listen to more of Dan-DT's wonderful music here: https://soundcloud.com/dan-t-3

Listen to more of Ed Cunningham's wonderful music here: https://soundcloud.com/westtracksmusic

Listen to more of David Dunham's wonderful music here: https://soundcloud.com/david-dunhamuser589535203

The Quietude - Dan DT, Ed Cunningham, David Dunham, Seagull

Found an old acapella with Madame Snowflake in my folder, which means as much today as when it was written, and I thought it was time to try to give it a nice setting.
When the foundation was ready, I sent it to David Dunham and asked if he could possibly help with some of his beautiful finger-style playing. And being the gentleman that he is, he immediately plunged into the mysterious room of creation.
A couple of days later I got a couple of lovely tracks with two guitar parts. 
And now you too can share this little journey with us.

We wish you a pleasant journey. ;)

I humbly thank you David for your invaluable help and cooperation in this sweet journey. ;)

Listen to more of David Dunham's wonderful music here: https://soundcloud.com/david-dunhamuser589535203

Listen to more of Madame Snowflake's lovely music here: https://soundcloud.com/snowflakesings

"Miracles (pell)"
by Snowflake
http://ccmixter.org/people/snowflake

2015 - Licensed under
Creative Commons
Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)

The lyrics and melody are by Patronski, with a couple of minor adaptations. 
http://ccmixter.org/people/Patronski

Miracles

There is too much talking
And there is nothing left to say
They say faith can move mountains
On my knees I start to pray

Too close for comfort
And too blind to see
It’s black and white, there’s no color
Something coming over me

Heard a voice calling out my name
Time to change we can’t remain the same

It’s a road less traveled
On a path to better times
All that glitters isn’t gold
Gotta read between the lines

Used to getting what we want
Still don’t realize what we need
We keep burning the midnight oil
Just to satisfy our greed

Heard a voice calling out my name
Time to change we can’t remain the same

The weight is getting heavy
Nothing ever stays the same
Evolution is the cross we bare
And the price we have to pay

When we stop our sleeping
When we finally wake
We’ll be turning water into wine
Nothing standing in our way

Heard a voice calling out my name
Time to change, we can’t remain the same
Miracles happen every day
What was impossible fades away

When we stop our sleeping
When we finally wake
We’ll be turning water into wine
Nothing standing in our way

Nothing Stand In Our Way -  M Snowflake - David D - Seagull

With my good friend Dan-DT, who is a master of his musical genre, and his help with his fantastic strings, choirs, piano and not least Clara's beautiful voice to lift this little observation of fairies in the first light of the morning into something that became magical . ;)

Try to feel, experience and see this in front of you.....
When you went out into the morning light in the forest you love to walk in to find serenity, stillness and quietude, you suddenly heard quiet music, and after a few more steps, you saw them dancing and singing there in a clearing in the shimmering morning light. 
The fairies. ;)

To sit down in the soft moss and experience the joy and love they gave you with their music, dance and song, above all the beauty we are surrounded by in our world, and to bring their world into your mind, was an otherworldly experience. And a very strong realization that our earth is the only home we have, and it is our children's future. ;)

My warmest thanks to you Dan, for your friendship, and your magical musicality. You are very much appreciated in my world my friend!

You can find more of Dan-DT's wonderful music here: https://soundcloud.com/dan-t-3

Fairies Morning Light - Dan-DT & Seagull

This song is called Stairway, and I realized that in my mind it reflects everyone's climb in life. We are encouraged and taught from birth that we must constantly get better at everything.
Better upbringing, Better behavior, Better education, Better job, Better pay, Better things, Better health, Better parent, Better home, Better car and so on.........in our endless climbing in the stairway of life, where unfortunately far too many go straight into the wall, and life comes to a screeching halt.
But what is the real goal of all this striving?

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with education hopefully producing better and more understanding and empathetic people, and a safer and nicer society. But.....and I think it's a big but.... as we are obviously being trained to buy..... all the happiness we need in life........ instead of experiencing it in a peaceful, healthy and experiential life........and at the same time we fill the pockets of a few, with what has unfortunately been given the main role as happiness......money and power...........Hmmmm.  ;)

David Dunham, with his great skill and absolutely brilliant acoustic guitar playing, has given me his much-appreciated participation in this little journey into the world of contemplation.
It is also David's final mix and mastering of the song after his recording of the guitars you hear. When I heard his mix I realized that there was nothing I could add to a very excellent work. ;)
So a big warm thank you my friend!

We wish you all a few peaceful minutes. ;)

Seagull

You can find more of David's wonderful music here; https://soundcloud.com/david-dunhamuser589535203

Stairway - David Dunham & Seagull

During our conversations, I sent this song I created about time and its dimensions to David D and Peter, so they could supplement it with their own thoughts and musings. And with the great skill they both possess, the result was a lovely observation of what time does to us all and everything we have around us.

Have a pleasant journey in the signs of the times. ;)

You can find David Dunham here: https://soundcloud.com/david-dunhamuser589535203

You can find Peter here: https://soundcloud.com/user-264930040

Spoken words:
Spark,
Pulse,
Swirl,
Light,
Grow,
Evolve,
Shine,
Slow,
Decay,
Dark.

Time Wears Down - David D, Peter & Seagull

Peter gave me an opportunity to work a little on one of my favorite songs he's done. Dan-DT has also participated with his ideas with Clara, synths and atmosphere.
Many warm thanks Peter, for your generosity, friendship and always cheerful disposition.

Have a lovely journey ;)
You can find more of Peter's songs and poems here: https://soundcloud.com/user-264930040
And you will find more of Dan-DT's lovely music here: https://soundcloud.com/dan-t-3

Ticking

Ticking down the time.
Nowhere at the speed of light,
Nothing in my mind.
A dream of futures past.
Precious in my heart,
But it never came to pass.
Rearranged all my drawers of memory's worn out socks,
Corrected all my broken lifetime's kitchen clocks.
Just ticking down the time.

Ticking down the time.
Backwards at the speed of life,
Burdened in my mind.
Who stole it all away?
The clarity of thought
That defined me yesterday.
Dusted all the volumes on my memory's shelf,
Time-lapsed photographic of my former self.
Just ticking down the time.

Tomorrow calls in shades of black,
I swear these walls are staring back,
We waltz our falls in spiral mime,
Just ticking down the time.

Ticking down the time.
Lights out on the road ahead,
Fog came down behind.
Ready to anoint
The corpse of a life history
Shrivelled to a point.
JPEG'd out the detail of the smiling years,
Algorithmically compressed into this room of tears,
Where I'm just ticking down the time.

Ticking - Peter, Dan-DT & Seagull

For my friend from Shrewsbury – and for everyone who is there for others with love and strength.

The Way You Stay is a very personal song I originally wrote just for a close friend. After hearing it, he told me I should definitely release it – and so I did.

It tells about the importance of being there for each other – especially when life gets heavy.

It’s about the quiet strength of caring and the love that lies within those moments. About two people who carry each other and the closeness that grows from it.

But this song is not only for him – it’s for everyone who cares for others, quietly, steadily, and wholeheartedly.

A song about trust, friendship, and the strength that comes from staying.

Behind the music:
From the beginning I knew I wanted a choir in this song. I thought about it for a long time, wondering how it could work. In the end, I recorded more than 24 vocal tracks – all with my own voice – and processed them in such a way that the choir is made up of many little Axels.

I truly hope you enjoy listening to it.

The video for the song is available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/V3eWGTdakr8?si=Z14qJjSR7inY0-BH

____________________________________

The Way You Stay

He clears the table when the day is done,
he hides his worries from everyone. 
She takes his hand, and with her touch,
he feels he´s more than strong enough.

That’s the way you stay,
when the days get heavy.
That’s the way you love,
quiet but steady.
Two hearts leaning, all the way –
that’s the way you stay.

He keeps the light on late into the night,
she gives him reason, keeps his heart upright.
He hears her laughter, and it pulls him through,
that’s the reason she gives to do.

That’s the way you stay,
when the days get heavy.
That’s the way you love,
quiet but steady.
Two hearts leaning, all the way –
that’s the way you stay.

From far away I see you two,
the care, the trust, the gentle view.
It moves me more than words can say –
I hold you close, though far away.

That’s the way you stay,
when the nights turn colder.
That’s the way you love,
growing older.
Two hearts leaning, all the way –
that’s the way you stay.


The Way You Stay

So Loved

Time and Tide

this is another track , written, played and recorded while Netta was visiting from Norway….cheers for having a listen and your support👍

Who Can Say

Remind me of that song again
The one that has the saddest end
you know it too, you sang it to me
Long ago

Got me thinking about that time.
When I was yours and I had mine
Now we just live somewhere in the past
mmmm

Whatever happened to those days?
Nothing ever stays the same
Could it be the one that got away?
Who can say?

I could plan for days and days
There must be a thousand ways
That I could try and make you see
That you belong here with me

I dont really worry now
tomorrow made up it’s mind
And today feels like an only friend
and yesterday left us behind
again

Who Can Say

Spécial thanks to HEMANIFETZ for his acappella ....

 Lyrics

 you forgot what love is Yeah,
 yeah, you forgot what love is
 Yeah, yeah, you forgot what love is Yeah,
 yeah, you forgot what love is 
 What the happiness that it brings You don't understand your life or what it 
 sings Guess you can hear it in the atmosphere (
 But you forgot the love is inside You don't understand right now 
 I'm here to provide Some people just don't understand 
 But why? 
 They don't understand what love is Yeah, they don't know what love is
 Why I had you, yeah, holding in my arms This is real right now, I'll hold you like 
  a charm Oh, yeah, I knew the world 
 Right now, it's getting kind of worse But guess what? 
 I'm the one to step up first I guess the love that I have right now 
 It ain't no curse We a perfect match 
 But you don't understand none of that Yeah, I think you forgot what love is
 You forgot what love is Yeah, yeah, you forgot what love is 
 Yeah, yeah, you forgot what love is Yeah, yeah, you forgot what love is 
 Yeah, yeah, you forgot what love is You don't know, you never will 
 I guess you don't know how I really feel My emotions inside right now 
 I'm telling you right now I'm trying to stay alive 
 But it seems like it's harder for me to try I'm trying to get my whole point across 
 But it seems like right now your thoughts is tossed 
 But I was wondering why you so lost Why he do you like that? 
 I guess the love was not in him But the love inside of me 
 Just to let you know I still breathe And everyday I know how it could be 
 Right now we going for the victory And the victory is right now 
 Me and you together for history Yeah, for centuries 
 You forgot what love is Yeah, yeah, I think you forgot what love is 
 Yeah, yeah, I think you did Yeah, I think you did 
 You forgot what love is It's the love that I'm giving 
 And I hope you receive it Man, you forgot what love is 
 To all the females out there Yeah, you forgot what love is

FORGOT WHAT LOVE IS. 🌺.🎧. Feat HEMANIFETZ

There are voices you don’t just hear – you feel them.
Janne Hennie’s voice is one of those.
It’s honest, warm, and full of soul – turning this song into something that comforts.

In her interpretation of the classic by Mariah Carey, there’s so much heart that the song gains a new depth. Every note carries emotion, every word feels sincere.

I had the great privilege of creating the musical arrangement for Janne’s version. What emerged is an interpretation that moves – quietly, genuinely, and without pretension.

Thank you, Janne, for your voice, your trust, and this very special collaboration. 💫

Listen to Janne's great songs here:

https://on.soundcloud.com/pkQhXfEC596nJRPXH7

Hero (Cover)

wait by the window
pray through the sight

for a dollar
in my pocket
for my country
who’d have thought?

don’t stand by the window
outmanned and alone

after drinking
(check my cheekpiece)
i can hit it
(pull the bolt back)
without thinking
(keep my hands loose)
what i’ve done

i’m waiting now by the window
i don’t know how to get home

for a dollar
in my pocket
for my country
wrong or right

after drinking
(check my cheekpiece)
i can hit it
(pull the bolt back)
without thinking
(keep my hands loose)
what i’ve done
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to Janine Levinson and Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely for early listening and encouragement.

Special thanks to Wheelwright for sage editorial advice.

Image by Chandler Cruttenden via Unsplash



Window

I had left the pastorate in 1985 but many friends remained in the little town of St. Francis, Kansas.  One of them was a woman who found love again after the death of her spouse.  I composed this song for them and officiated their wedding and as far as I know, they lived happily ever after.  
Then came the wedding of my oldest daughter and she requested the song be done for her and Thor (yes, his real name;) That was 27 years ago.  
This past summer, I had suggested the song to Axel and after hearing my rough, 35 year old demo, he loved the song straight away, but wanted to change it up a bit.  The song I had written was done in a more devotional 4/4 meter, he wanted to bring to it the flavor of a Celtic dance.  Enter Mike Fox who gives the lyrics a definitive voice and excellent guitar to the backing track.  I loved the track art Axel had created because it resembled the wedding of my 2nd granddaughter Grace at the end of September, a lovely garden ceremony in Oklahoma City.  It resembles it right down to the kilt another son-in-law wore by request.  They didn't use the song as part of their ceremony, but I dedicate this new version to Grace and Ethan and wish them a lifetime of happiness and fond adventures together.
Thank you Axel and Mike for lavishing your talents on my songwriting efforts.  I am truly honored.  Hear more of their fabulous music creativity @soundcloud.com/axel-m-501052973, and @soundcloud.com/michael-fox-925325997

Gathered--Lyrics:
 What are we gathered here for, what have we come to see?
Two people who believe that a better life
Is lived together not separately.
Father we ask you blessing upon the union of these two,
That the vows they are both confessing
Will bind their hearts to each other and You.

Bridge:
And it's more than just "tying a knot" and it's more than just getting "hitched"
We're seeing two hearts being sewn together,
We're witnessing it stitch by stitch.
It's the miracle of seeing two become one,
Though the two are really not the same,
Like the paint and the canvas are separate until 
The Artist joins them in a beautiful frame.

Instrumental Interlude

Repeat Bridge

Repeat Verse:
What are we gathered here for, what have we come to see?
Two people who believe that a better life
Is lived together not separately.
Father we ask you blessing upon the union of these two,
That the vows they are both confessing
Will bind their hearts to each other and You.
Will bind their hearts to each other and You
Will bind their hearts to each other and You.

Gathered-A Wedding Song (Axel Menningen, Mike Fox, David Dunham)

Unfortunately, the connection has dropped, and we cannot be sure what is happening in the apartment where, at such a late hour, the light is still on. Probably nothing; they’re likely watching a film or reading a book. They might be projecting their reactions outward, and what we see could therefore be nothing more than the reflection of someone else’s nightmares — or dreams. Certainly, we have now reached a turning point: nothing can any longer be regarded as real, or the opposite... (all talk!).

This is the fifth in a series of eight easy, acoustic, rather short, and deliberately inconclusive tracks, assembled by combining new ideas with reworked older material, adding parts and sounds along the way. 

Part 1 here: https://soundcloud.com/michele-ansani/in-case-nothing-happens-part-1-night
Part 2 here: https://soundcloud.com/michele-ansani/in-case-nothing-happens-part-2-dawn
Part 3 here: https://soundcloud.com/michele-ansani/in-case-nothing-happens-part-3-noon
Part 4 here: https://soundcloud.com/michele-ansani/in-case-nothing-happens-part-4-late-afternoon

Composed by Michele Ansani (2023-2025). This time I simply redid a piano-based piece I had posted in the spring of last year, slightly changing the atmosphere: https://soundcloud.com/michele-ansani/overlays
All the ambient noises and female vocals are taken from public sound archives. 
Posted on SoundCloud: 2025, October 16.

In case nothing happens - part 5 (night again)*

Hey… Thanks for dropping by. As a young boy, around sixty years ago, I used to like to listen to old people as they rambled on with stories about their lives. I really enjoyed those stories. I am an old man now, and I tend to ramble on, as well. This song is about that…. as I wake up to a chilly autumn morning. I have been busy ‘buttoning things up’ for winter. Collecting seeds, preparing garden beds, raking leaves, moving stuff inside, winterizing my home, getting winter gear ready, and other such sundry tasks, some of which I had forgotten about, like filling a tub with gardening soil and compost for planting seeds next spring. So I put the tub right by my front door. Ha. I have mixed feelings about heading into another long mountain winter. Throw old age into the mix and boy, am I having fun. I have also been sitting outside quietly, as flocks of birds fly by. Some flocks temporarily stop here to rest and feed, before winging off. It is fascinating to watch the dynamics of the flocks and how different kinds of birds interact. There are high flying geese, cranes and ducks overhead as well. All those birds are vocal, and when I am outside working, I tend to whistle along with them. They don’t seem to mind. The relative harmonious balance of it all is so refreshing to watch. Although a robin, or two, in the mountain ash always seems to be chasing other robins away from the berry laden tree. There are more berries in that tree than all those robins could ever eat, and I watch as the chased away robins sneak back into the tree. Some older birds die here in the yard, as they are no longer up for the long migration ahead. Sad to see. I often find one or two of them, dead each year, huddled peacefully in the deep grass, or hidden elsewhere. It has also snowed several times here in October… Hope you’re doing well. Mark  

Autumnal Ramblings Of An Old Man

Welcome to my world,  🌍
and a warm thank you to all of you who take your time to listen, comment and like my songs. It is much appreciated !! 😉 🙏🏽

And a huge thank you to all of you who have collaborated with me on many of the songs! 😀 ❤️

Videos are on my YouYube channel  📽

And by the way TERROR, THREAT & WAR NOT ACCEPTED!

Time Wears Down - David D, Peter & Seagull

FarOut Music Studio

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