Oh this is fabulous Johnny , rolls along !

This piece is taking  me on a sweet,melodic journey.

Hello dear friends. It's been a long while. We've all been through hell some way or other and I wish you love joy and strength.
It was great having Brian visit us in Durban this past month (the old boy's leaving on Friday). Well while he was here I got him to do some backing vocals. And he was a big help with the mixing as well. Thanks Brian!

Vocals and guitars Johnny Minstrel
Backing vocals Brian Peters https://soundcloud.com/brianpeters-3



Legerdemain - words and music Johnny Minstrel 

Bring out your entertainers
the jugglers and the clowns
We’re in the belly of the beast
as the world shuts down
All is smoke and mirrors
I hear someone say
Living the illusion
till Judgement Day 

Oh legerdemain
Too fast for the eye to see and the brain to explain
Oh, oh legerdemain
C’mon baby 
Do that trick again

He’s gonna blow your mind
Mo Magic’s back in town
There’s always something kinder
Whenever he’s around
Today is like tomorrow
Uncertain and unclear
Spill your drink of sorrows
God knows that’s too much beer

Oh legerdemain
Too fast for the eye to see and the brain to explain
Oh, oh legerdemain
C’mon baby 
Do that trick again

Well there’s nobody here
Anymore than somebody there
Guess I’ll meet you in the ether
On some dodgy cable line
And if you see me turn the corner
Wave a hello or goodbye
Who knows where I’ll be going
And who I’ll be next time
Who I’ll be next time 

Bring out your entertainers
All the world’s a stage
Just looks a little smaller
In this virtual cage
So, throw in a coin dear missus
I promise you a thrill
Not stealing from the masses
Or teaching how to kill

Oh legerdemain
Too fast for the eye to see and the brain to explain
Oh, oh legerdemain
C’mon baby 
Do that trick again

Rumours From Paradise

Legerdemain

Legerdemain     with Brian Peters

Over There

About the depths of depression that I call the blackstuff. Happens to all of us, the trick is escaping. 

BLACKSTUFF WIP Mix 1.12725

Un avenir radieux

Conga and bass, Sergio Párraga.
Piano and drumms, Ireal pro.
Front page, Pepe Gámez.

Conversando

Breathy Bells (2025)

Oddrun: vocal and vocal composition https://soundcloud.com/oddrun-eikli
Torbjørn: vocal, instrumental and vocal composition
Mastering: Njål Frode Lie
Poem: William Blake
"Ah! Sun-flower" is a poem by William Blake, published in his collection Songs of Experience in 1794. The poem explores themes of longing, weariness, and the human desire for something beyond earthly existence, using the sunflower as a symbol.

Thank you from my heart Oddrun, it`s always good working with you and to see how things finds its natural way

Poem: William Blake

Ah! sunflower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the sun,
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller’s journey is done;

Where the youth pined away with desire,
And the pale virgin shrouded in snow,
Arise from their graves and aspire;
Where my sunflower wishes to go

Ah! Sun-Flower. Oddrun Eikli. Torbjørn Vagle

Cool Backing Track provided by TGuitar ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78-nA8U6Rj8
NOT THE ONLY ONE
[Chorus]
I’m glad I’m not the only one
But I’m sad just the same
‘Cuz everybody’s suffering
Looking for someone to blame
I’m glad I’m not the only one
But I’m sad just the same

[Verse 1]
‘Cuz deep down I know, if I’m feelin’ it
You’re feelin’ the walls closing in, too
Oh, and I wonder how you’re dealin’ with it
Discerning the falsities from the true

[Verse 2]
Now, I see your broken face up on my screen
From my living room and my heart hurts
Seems in America there’s little grass that’s green
And I hate to think it’s just deserts

[Chorus]
I’m glad I’m not the only one
But I’m sad just the same
‘Cuz everybody’s suffering
Looking for someone to blame
I’m glad I’m not the only one
But I’m sad just the same

Oooooh-oooooh, Ooooooh-oooooh
Oooooh-oooooh, Ooooooh-oooooh

[Verse 3]
And it’s hard to say which one of ‘em is worst
The puppets or those pulling the strings
All I know is that this country is cursed
For the greed of men and shiny things

[Chorus]
I’m glad I’m not the only one
But I’m sad just the same
‘Cuz everybody’s suffering
Looking for someone to blame
I’m glad I’m not the only one
But I’m sad-sad-sad just the same

Oooooh-oooooh, Oooooh-Ooooooh
Oooooh-oooooh, Oooooh-Ooooooh

[Verse 4]
And when I’m feeling I was born too late
As if those who came before us had it better
If we could travel to an earlier state
We’d find ourselves one bird of a feather

[Chorus]
I’m glad I’m not the only one
But I’m sad just the same
‘Cuz everybody’s suffering
Looking for someone to blame
Oh, I’m glad I’m not the only one
But I’m sad, sad just the same
Just the same…Oh, I’m sad-sad-sad just same

I’m glad I’m not the only one
But I’m sad just the same
‘Cuz everybody is suffering
Tired of playin’ the game..

Ooooooh-ooooooh, Ooooooh-ooooooh
Ooooooh-ooooooh, Ooooooh-ooooooh


© 2025 Renee La Chapelle – All Rights Reserved

NOT THE ONLY ONE

Hell To Pay

Odds and ends
(Mark Irving Anderson)
…It’s hard to imagine
All the stuff
Hiding in the attic
Underneath other people’s stuff
Beachballs and hula hoops
A guitar with no strings
An old plaster angel
With a pair of broken wings…
 
…Everything we keep here
Someone thinks we need
But that ain’t exactly 
What everyone believes
This and that’s 
Have been scattered here and there
All those little treasures
Hiding everywhere…
 
[Chorus]
…Odds and ends
Smiles and tears
Precious reminders
Of us through the years
If a memory’s missing
Just look again
I’ll bet you’ll find it 
In the odds and ends…
 
…But then again
There’s such suspense
When you look at something
And wonder where it’s been
I’ve been wondering now
For nearly fifty years
Where odds and ends will go
When they disappear…
 
[Chorus]
…Odds and ends
Smiles and tears
Precious reminders
Of love through the years
If a memory’s missing
Just look again
I’ll bet you’ll find it there
In the odds and ends…
 
…It’s something special
And truly unique
When you just lift the edge
And take a little peak
Is that something precious  
Or is it only trash
Hang around here long enough
And you won’t need to ask…
 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Chorus]
…Odds and ends
Smiles and tears
Precious reminders
Of us through the years
If a memory’s missing
Just look again
I’ll bet you’ll find it 

When a memory’s missing
Just look again
I’ll bet you’ll find it right there
In the odds and ends…

Odds and ends

Walking down the road, and you are on my mind.
Doncha know I’m happy and I’m free.
Nothing’s gonna get me down, no, not today.
Nothing’s gonna get the best of me.
I’ve got no agenda,nothing much to do.
Just talking to the ladies, and they smile.
Nothing’s gonna get me down, no, not today.
I think I might stick around a while.
I might take a chance, you know I’ll
Walk the streets of Amsterdam. Let the music play
Here on the streets of Amsterdam, they all know the way.
No one cares, in Amsterdam, you are who you are.
Here on the streets of Amsterdam, everybody is a star.
Candace is a friend of mine, she shares her bed,
But there’s nothing funny going on.
Nothing’s gonna get me down, no, not today.
I like where I am, and I’m okay.
Sure, I like it here, I’m gonna stay - and
Walk the streets of Amsterdam. Let the music play
Here on the streets of Amsterdam, they all know the way.
No one cares, in Amsterdam, you are who you are.
Here on the streets of Amsterdam, everybody is a star.


Amsterdam

I'm a singer-songwriter from Durban, South Africa. Having being raised in the church I was advantaged with a ready-made audience. Their kindness, patience and ecouragement gave me the confidence to improve my songwriting and to take it quite seriously. At times when the lyrics had a touch of controversy, they never thought it scandalous, which further encouraged me to write on social issues, love songs, and songs with just a story. 
By my mid-teens I was heavily influenced by the hippy gospel songwriter Larry Norman, which may explain why into my 50's I still have long hair! Through his music I learned that songs do have a greater purpose. 
As a young upstart I was blessed with a kind and forgiving congregation. Today I'm blessed with a very tolerant family and a bunch of great friends. I love what I do!



Legerdemain with Brian Peters

Johnny Minstrel

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