Rock On : The cool way

ManuLaGratte (MLG) - Légendes du Rock'n'Roll

Here's what is hopefully the start of a growing playlist of collabs, that I've been fortunate enough to work on, with some of the incredibly talented artists to be found on Soundcloud! 

Hats off to Mr ManuLaGratte who was my first collaborator, and the chief architect of the Seems Like It - Euro Collab Mix!  (You can find the link to Manu's other work in the track notes ) 

Next up an incredible blues rework of Water To Wine, featuring the incomparable vocals of Mr Todd J McLean, as well as grade A+ mixing and mastering from Kat Hendrix, at Absolute Time Studios, Vancouver, and virtuoso lead guitar from Tim Porter!  The original version of this track is released on Todd's SC page but I've reposted here for extra visibility)

Thirdly it was great fun, and a whole lotta learning, working on the EDM collab, Lost in the Music, with the multi (MULTI) -talented musician, lyricist, vocalist and tech guru, MissHearMeClick!

Collabs

Mir Bredberg Weber: Main vocal/piano/composer
Henrik Nybo: Resonator guitar
Palle Hjort: Accordion
Fran Breen: Drums
Paul Bushnell: Bas
Dave Hennessy: Tamburine

Lone Rider

Don’t forget me (short mix)

- ROCK'N'ROLL  LEGENDS -

Also on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSOrOgGz_T2VWu5nwCT41URBamXo056ZB

-1st verse-
Your sounds are immortal, you give us the flame
You signed all that music, with hard stuff you came
You’ve rolled my life, you rocked those nights away
Noise of strong beats, nice scent of leather
Vinyl records, the old days flavour
You rule the gigs, let you play
		
Chorus 1:
You know, you master how to please
You give us all the keys
Show us the way, let’s take a chance	
The legacy you’ve left	
Your songs so fully deft
You’re Rock and Roll Legends

You master how to please
You give us all the keys
Show us the way, set up the rules
The legacy you’ve left
Your songs so fully deft
You are hooked on rock you’ve got demons in your souls
 
-2 nd verse-
You came with your guitars, you raised us on rock
My heart’s a rolling stone that beats to the block
You’ve rolled my life, you rocked those nights away
Tattoos from hell, nice LPs covers
Stunning lightings, outstanding colours
You rule the gigs, let you play

-------------------------------------------
Title : Rock’n’Roll Legends
Music&words : Manu 
Vocals : Lorenzo (freelance service)
Rhythm guitars : Manu
Lead guitars : Laurent
Bass : Manu
Virtual drums programming : Manu 
All rights reserved : ISWC T-325.378.127.6

Rock'n'Roll Legends

A great collaboration version of the Seems Like It track, with MASSIVE thanks to ManuLaGratte, for guitars, musical arrangement and general Hard Rock consultancy!  Check out Manu's other fantastic work, on his SoundCloud page https://soundcloud.com/manulagratte-mlg/tracks 
HUGE thanks also to Laurent Capel, for lifting the guitar solo work to a whole different level! 
Who says there's no European collaboration after Brexit?? :-)    Thanks Guys!!

Seems Like It - Euro Collab Mix (Feat. ManuLaGratte & Laurent Capel)

WATER TO WINE
 
Words & Music: Goff Johnson
Vocals: Todd J McLean
Keyboards & Rhythm Guitar: Goff Johnson
Drums and Hammond Organ: Kat Hendrix
Lead Guitar: Tim Porter
 
Mixed and Mastered by Kat Hendrix at Absolute Time Studios, Vancouver, May 2025
 
About the Song

"Water to Wine" is a song about the appeal of perfection we often see online, contrasted with the seemingly unremarkable and ordinary lives that most of us lead. It’s a reflection on the emotional toll that comes from chasing validation through likes and follower counts— and the emptiness that can follow when the spotlight fades.

Our value, though, goes far deeper than what shows up on a screen and authenticity holds more power than appearances. Take a deep breath and if we look up from the scroll and take a brave look at the world — and each other — we might find something much more real!

Behind the Song (from Goff Johnson)

Ironically, while the message of the track talks about isolation and the cost of surface-level connection, the making of Water to Wine was the exact opposite of that! It came to life through collaboration with the incredibly talented Todd J McLean, who, in addition to his awesome vocals, and red-hot music connections, also created the cover art (Woman in Yellow Chair) for the track! The overall result is something far richer than either of us could have created alone.

Working together brought depth, direction, and new energy to the song — proof that the best things happen when we connect for real. No filters, just music, shared purpose, and mutual trust!

Final Notes (from Todd)

This is my first collaboration on SoundCloud. I could not have been more fortunate than to work with Goff Johnson, an immensely talented singer/songwriter/musician. When I first came across Goff, I listened to his entire Stories of Stardust album end-to-end and I was so impressed with this concept and significant body of work. I highly recommend checking it out on Goff’s SoundCloud page. https://soundcloud.com/goff-johnson/sets/stories-of-stardust?si=9db35566a42747b9b63a5780334f67ea&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Although Water to Wine is not part of Goff’s Stardust series, it is nonetheless a beautifully written song and it’s been a privilege for me to sing it. Besides, I love to sing the Blues. Thank you so much, Goff!

We owe a huge shout-out to both Kat Hendrix, a master musician and our producer, and Tim Porter, a virtuoso on guitar. It is a real privilege to work with these West coast legends.

Lyrics: 

Verse 1
Someone wrote a playbook for perfection 
with lives of photo ops, their outtakes seldom seen 
today a star, the next you’re a pariah 
“Be Kind” they say, but that ain’t what they mean 
 
Chorus: 
Well I never watched the water turn to wine, 
and i never took a flower out of the desert, 
but i walked until my feet bled, and I looked until I was blind, 
and I reached out for a hand to hold in mine 
 
Verse 2 
Well there’s nothing quite as quiet as “the silence” 
after fame has passed, so flashbulb fast, away 
and i wonder if it really makes a difference 
cos the next in line wait for their time, to shine but not to stay”

Chorus: 
Well I never watched the water turn to wine, 
and i never took a flower out of the desert, 
but i walked until my feet bled, and I looked until I was blind, 
and I reached out for a hand to hold in mine

Cover Art: Woman in Yellow Chair, Todd J McLean

All rights reserved

Water to Wine

This is a repost of a collab with the brilliant Todd J McLean, originally posted on his Soundcloud account, 15 May 2025. Soundcloud.com/todd-j-mclean/water-to-wine?si=2debfe8ca9744b878dfc380a1a8ac430&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing)

WATER TO WINE
 
Words & Music: Goff Johnson
Vocals: Todd J McLean
Keyboards & Rhythm Guitar: Goff Johnson
Drums and Hammond Organ: Kat Hendrix
Lead Guitar: Tim Porter
 
Mixed and Mastered by Kat Hendrix at Absolute Time Studios, Vancouver, May 2025
 
About the Song

"Water to Wine" is a song about the appeal of perfection we often see online, contrasted with the seemingly unremarkable and ordinary lives that most of us lead. It’s a reflection on the emotional toll that comes from chasing validation through likes and follower counts— and the emptiness that can follow when the spotlight fades.

Our value, though, goes far deeper than what shows up on a screen and authenticity holds more power than appearances. Take a deep breath and if we look up from the scroll and take a brave look at the world — and each other — we might find something much more real!

Behind the Song (from Goff Johnson)

Ironically, while the message of the track talks about isolation and the cost of surface-level connection, the making of Water to Wine was the exact opposite of that! It came to life through collaboration with the incredibly talented Todd J McLean, who, in addition to his awesome vocals, and red-hot music connections, also created the cover art (Woman in Yellow Chair) for the track! The overall result is something far richer than either of us could have created alone.

Working together brought depth, direction, and new energy to the song — proof that the best things happen when we connect for real. No filters, just music, shared purpose, and mutual trust!

Final Notes (from Todd)

This is my first collaboration on SoundCloud. I could not have been more fortunate than to work with Goff Johnson, an immensely talented singer/songwriter/musician. When I first came across Goff, I listened to his entire Stories of Stardust album end-to-end .

Although Water to Wine is not part of Goff’s Stardust series, it is nonetheless a beautifully written song and it’s been a privilege for me to sing it. Besides, I love to sing the Blues. Thank you so much, Goff!

We owe a huge shout-out to both Kat Hendrix, a master musician and our producer, and Tim Porter, a virtuoso on guitar. It is a real privilege to work with these West coast legends.

Lyrics:

Verse 1
Someone wrote a playbook for perfection 
with lives of photo ops, their outtakes seldom seen 
today a star, the next you’re a pariah 
“Be Kind” they say, but that ain’t what they mean 
 
Chorus: 
Well I never watched the water turn to wine, 
and i never took a flower out of the desert, 
but i walked until my feet bled, and I looked until I was blind, 
and I reached out for a hand to hold in mine 
 
Verse 2 
Well there’s nothing quite as quiet as “the silence” 
after fame has passed, so flashbulb fast, away 
and i wonder if it really makes a difference 
cos the next in line wait for their time, to shine but not to stay”

Chorus: 
Well I never watched the water turn to wine, 
and i never took a flower out of the desert, 
but i walked until my feet bled, and I looked until I was blind, 
and I reached out for a hand to hold in mine

Cover Art: Woman in Yellow Chair, Todd J McLean

All rights reserved

Released by:
Why I Outta Records
Release date:
15 May 2025

Water To Wine

This is a repost of a collab track first published on MissHearMeClick's SC page on 29th July 2025.  https://soundcloud.com/misshearmeclick/lost-in-the-music?si=932f52f4d24c4b7a95666387b1de6980&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing We had a great time working on this track, which was the first venture into the EDM genre for both of us! 

As well as being a great collab partner, lyric writer and vocalist, MissHearMeClick is also phenomenally tech and media savvy and nailed all the playlist and radio pitches, as well as video and social media material around the release  - wow I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with such a multi talented artist!!

Thanks must also go to JRL Music who not only mastered the track but very generously (and patiently!) shared his technical experience with us!  I, for one found this a massive and brilliant learning experience ! :-) Joseph - I'll try to give you less pain next time !! 

Lost in the Music

[Verse 1]:
I let the music pull me deep inside,
Had enough of games, it’s time to say goodbye.
My heartbeat flows with the beat and lights.
My soul awakens, I’m dancing through the night.

[Prechorus 1]:
I’m lost inside of a moment now,
Your words feel empty, breaking me down.
I let it slide, I played along,
But now I see where you went wrong.

[Prechorus 2]:
You thought I’d stay, but I’m over it,
And love don’t work when it feels like this.
One day you’ll see, you’ll feel the same,
When someone walks in and plays your game.

[Chorus 1]:
Got lost in the music
Your love was toxic
But now I feel magic, yeah
Got lost in the music
Your love was toxic
The moment was cosmic , oh yeah

[Verse 2]:
I took my time, and now I’m moving on. (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
You played your part, I’m better off alone.
(I’m dancing up in a rhythm)

[Prechorus 2]:
You thought I’d stay, but I’m over it,
And love don’t work when it feels like this.
One day you’ll see, you’ll feel the same,
When someone walks in and plays your game.

[Chorus 2]:
(I found my peace) got lost in the music
(Escaped your grip) your love was toxic
(You held me down) but now I feel magic, yeah
(I found my peace) got lost in the music
(Escaped your grip) your love was toxic
(You held me down) but now I feel magic, yeah
(I found my peace) got lost in the music
(I broke away) the moment was cosmic , oh yeah

[Verse 3]:
You can't break me,
I move like fire through the dark.
(Lost in the Music)
Endless paths await,
It’s mine to mold.
(Lost in the Music)

[Prechorus 3]:
You thought I’d stay, but I’m over it,
(I’m lost inside the sound)
And love don’t work when it feels like this.
(I float on every note)
One day you’ll see, you’ll feel the same,
(Drifting through melodies)
When someone walks in and plays your game.
(My soul lives in the song)

[Chorus 3]:
(I found my peace) Got lost in the music
(Escaped your grip) Lost in the music
(You held me down) Lost in the music, 
(I found my peace) yeah 
(I broke away) ooohh 
And finally, I’m me.

Lost in The Music

Thank you Peter Tietjen for the bad ass bass and Jörg Uken for drums, recording and sound!

Gibson Jam

*** WATCH OUT FOR NEW SOUNDTRACK RELEASE, SELENE, OUT 31st  OCTOBER!!***

What a great place Soundcloud is !  I can honestly say I never imagined there were so many talented and generous artists, composers and producers,  to be found in one place!  It's been my very great pleasure to meet and collaborate with some of you, already, out there in the WWW,  and I hope many more in the future! 

I've written and recorded music since I was a teenager  (... that's a long time ago!!) and about half the tracks posted here are purely my own work. I also experimented, for a while,  with A.I. supported music, which I used to help build up a Sci Fi "concept album" (for those that remember them!) titled "Stories of Stardust", released 26th Feb 2025.  

A.I music can be a divisive topic, but I've no wish to use it as a replacement for human musical talent, and going forward I'm back to  working  with real people again. That's where the magic is to be found!  Which brings me to....

Collab is ALWAYS welcome!!  In fact it's my favourite way to work - check out my Collabs playlist for some recent examples!  Really enjoyed working with these talented artists!!   

For me the collab journey is only just starting so please (please)  gimme a shout if you think we could work together in the future! 

cheers, and keep the music playing !! 

Goff