Janine Levinson: voice, lyrics, vocal melody 

Jonathan Beckenstein: initial music, instruments, mix

a note from Janine, lyrics to follow:

Jonathan sent me this lovely music, and for some reason I thought of Fibonacci. Not so much the number sequence, but the guy. The numbers are cool and I love them --a series where each is the sum of the two before: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on. They are meaningful because it turns out these numbers appear disproportionately around us: in math, in our preferences, in nature. Like as depicted in the wonderful illustration that Jonathan found to accompany our tune. So many things end up to be described by the numbers. The beautiful numbers! Count the petals on a flower and the result will likely be one of them. How lovely is that? 
But the guy himself popped up in my head when I heard Jonathan's music. I imagined young Fibonacci --almost a thousand years ago now --looking carefully at everything around him: ruminating, fascinated, entirely distracted. So in love with the mystery of the world. To me that is the essence of romance. Young Fibonacci, madly in love with the world.


One one Two three five eight thirteen
 Leonardo what were you dreaming about
 Underneath your covers?
 One two three five eight thirteen 
You were the sum of your Dad and your Mom 
And everything that came before 
One two three five eight thirteen 
Hand over mouth 
See your breath in the night 
Leonardo you thought of everything
 One two three five eight thirteen 
Fibonacci, counting the petals on cosmos 
What did you find when the moment aligned? 
What did you see in the branches of trees? 
Fibonacci, you thought of everything 
The son, the sum of everything

You Thought Of Everything (with Janine Levinson)

Five guitars.

A companion piece to: https://soundcloud.com/jonathan_beckenstein/billy-i-am-ruined

Billy I Am Ruined, Too

Mark Duffield: voice, lyrics, vocal melody and harmony https://soundcloud.com/markduffieldcollaboration

Jonathan Beckenstein: initial music, instruments, mix

Mark has also created an engaging video: youtu.be/85vI0Ot80Sw

He’s a sweet street sweeper
He’s got a thing for a fairground ride
On the bull or on the bumper
He’s the best there ever to ride

(x4) He’s a sweet street sweeper

Bugger you! You were not there
You didn’t see it
You were not there
Bugger you! You were not there
You didn’t see what happened
You weren’t there

Sweet street
Sweet street sweeper

(x2) Oh, no!
Pick it up
Throw it out
Pick it up again

(x2) Yes, he’s beautiful
& there’s nothing you can say that can take that away.

(x2) Ooh, I’ll take that away
Nothing can take that

Sweet Street Sweeper (with Mark Duffield)

This was made on the occasion of being unexpectedly called back to full time work after some years of delicious semi-retirement.

Why Must We Toil

AROUND IT COMES
IT COMES AGAIN
VICIOUS NIGHT
AND HURRICANE

YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
YOU COULDN’T SEE
PRE-DESIGNED
THIS DESTINY

MY INSTAGRAM
AND TWITTER FEED
WILL NOT BLOCK
ATROCITY

A STROLL TO YESTERDAY
AND DON’T FORGET YOUR RAINCOAT

RECALL WHEN WE WERE SAFE
AND HISTORY WAS A GHOST

IT’S NOT TOO LATE
UNLEASH THE LIGHT
ONE MORE TIME
BEFORE THE NIGHT

Thanks to Janine Levinson, Wheelwright, Fady and Cheesemont for early listening, consultation, and support.

History

This music is loosely inspired by John Lurie's very engaging TV show, "Painting With John".

Image by Shoeb Khatib via Unsplash, re-cropped by me.

Why Am I Thinking These Things?

poor bastard it’s on your face
the permanent frown
we’ll give it the coup de grâce
the jolly smack down

in the morning… slip away
on the move… going

cracked windshield don’t block the way
to getting around
start picking the weed bouquet
we’re heading for town

in the morning… steal away
on the move… going

cat mother she wrings her hands
just leave us alone
she never did understand
a house ain’t a home

in the morning… slip away
on the move… going
california… get away
gonna move… going

last round up around this place
you dig up the bones
raise canvas for anyplace
the skull and crossbones
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Thanks to Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, David Weiss, and Wheelwright for early listening and massively good suggestions.

Image by Spencer Davis via Unsplash.

California Leaving

after school
runaways
was just the two of us
babe

leave our homes
leave our friends
see where the highway
ends

flying
trying

you never come around now

ever gone
here to stay
you live inside of me
Maeve

in my dream’s
shadow play
until tomorrow comes
stay

crying
trying

you never come around now

until tomorrow comes
stay
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thanks to Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, Wheelwright and Wodwo for patient support and great ideas.

image by Alexander Grey via Unsplash

Evergone

Moon dogs, also known as paraselenae, are bright spots on either side of the moon, symbolizing for some, spiritual growth, enhanced intuition, and self-reflection. The phenomenon is a reminder to embrace change and personal transformation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
once i was older
than i am today
I am floating     (outward bound)
half away                  


you want some answers
so do i
as we amble   (down this road) 
mystified

it’s just a moondog in the sky

time is a circle
each life a dream
let’s walk barefoot  (while we can)    
in the stream

on top of all the passion we bring
tomorrow doesn’t mean a thing

it’s just a twinkle in your eye

we’ll ride together
push it all the way
write the story   (write it down)  
burn the page

can’t protect now
going down

can’t deflect now
but don’t slow down

can’t take it with you
so just let go

kick it goodbye

--------------------------------------------------------------------

image by Sebastian Saarloos  via  space.com

Thanks to Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, David Weiss and Wheelright and Wodwo for early listening and encouragement.

The Last Moondog

summer sunlight on the ground
i still see you fallen down

it happens every day (to the chosen) baby
the wounded find a way hey

every heartache, every fear
just a mistake brought us here

you have the secret knack (deep inside you) darling
the one that brings us back jack

into the weeds we’re going
spinning ‘round
but we’ll be back i know it
watch us now

hey honey don’t you know (don’t you know it) by now
you’ll never be alone, no

we’re grateful for today (we accept it) cherie
there is no other way hey

It Happens Every Day

Just for fun. 

I shared a rehearsal space in the basement of Westbeth Artist Housing (please see the photo) in the late 70’s. This music has to do with my dream-memory of the place.

The basement was labyrinthine. Until a few years ago, I still had recurring dreams of that environment. It was constructed of grey painted cinder block or some such stony material. There were many bands in many rooms down there, and as you walked the halls you’d hear all the musics leaking out from under steel doors in cacophony. Often you’d hear the band in the next cell right through your own stone wall as you were playing. That made it hard to record in there. We did it anyway. 

The sonic qualities of this recording remind me of those hallways as do some of the somewhat antiquated guitar moves. And by the way, I love antiquated guitar moves!

Westbeth Catacombs

rotten weather   rollin’ in

we’ll go walkin’ anyway

‘gainst the wind


get your go-bag ready
load the car up


did you hear it?  distant roar

keep your ear down to the ground

check the score


get your hard hat ready
fill those bottles up


i can’t remember
were you there?
your fingers running
through my hair


let them come now  let them try

beating down the beautiful

of our tribe


purple mountains raging
blackened skies 
constitution’s aging
battle cry 

high angels  hiding

my country  dying

(not too late)   (late)

let’s listen  let’s breathe 

(not too late)   (late)

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Thanks to Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, and Wheelwright for early listening and feedback.

Rotten Weather

We're back.

Janine: voices, vocal melody and harmony, lyrics https://soundcloud.com/janinelevinson
Jonathan: initial music, instruments, mix
David Levinson: image

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nature has conspired to bring a basketful of obstacles 
Pesky interfering things, not the things she ought to bring 
They pile up in my way like spiky beaver dams 
They just accumulate like unbrushed tresses,

Well surprise surprise, they can be wonderful

An infantry of shoulds and bags of promises 
Have all transmogrified and curl like willow branches 
That crown around my head and vine around my feet 
And where the fire burned, they slurp the ashes

But surprise surprise, they're kinda beautiful
 it’s all so beautiful


Surprise surprise, it’s pretty beautiful
Nature is a wild thing with no philosophy 
And where the atoms turn is helter skelter 
So on the sides of trees forever lichen grows 
And mossy destiny is in their shelter

Surprise surprise, it’s all so beautiful


Surprise Surprise (with Janine Levinson)

i clean up the world
you fall in beside me
i’ll cover the Wuhan lab
you shore up the army

i follow the news
the news is disaster
i’ve given up on my booze
to wash the world faster

every morning
every hour

stop at the top of mountains
soul care repair

it happens this way
to each generation
the entropy cabaret
and reason’s cessation

every morning
wake up to the truth
every hour
plenty more to do

stop at the top of mountains
rest there fresh air 

every morning
wake up to the truth
every hour plenty more to do

stop at the top of mountains 
pure prayer up there

Tikkun

at the disco
goin’ all the way
with a speedball
on an empty day

i wonder if i stopped my cryin’
i wonder if i stopped now

crooked halo
all you’ve got today
your dependents
better back away

i wonder if i stopped my cryin’
i wonder who i’d be now

in the moonlight
goin’ all the way
to the river
gonna watch for day

i wonder if i stop my crying’
i wonder what i’d see now

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, Jacques DiCroce, Janine Levinson, David Weiss, and Wheelwright for encouragement and the fine tooth comb.

Pity Party

i can’t get over you
i can’t let go

a randy catastrophe
a dark rodeo

i can’t get over you
i can’t let go

too feral to wait for me
too slinky for slow

i’ll be waiting
by the water
will you meet me
tomorrow?

high jungle of emptiness
footprints in the snow

i can’t get over you
i can’t let go
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Jacques DiCroce, Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, David Weiss and Wheelwright for early listening, support and ace suggestions.

I'll Be Waiting

Ray and I improvised this song together, only not at the same time and not on the same continent. Go figure.

You can visit Ray here: https://soundcloud.com/user-364196783-552705040

Steady

i’m already 
goin’ down
to the end of the story now
wind is blowing
to the end of the story now

come away   come away

time is bending 
drifting down
spin the hourglass all around
pulverize it
spin the hourglass all around

i’m comin’ after 
i’m comin’
i’m unembodied
i’m free

i’m already 
leaving town
train is rounding the mountain now
got my ticket
train is rounding the mountain now

come away   come away
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

image from Malcom Shadrach via Unsplash


Quietus

Ray and I made another song together. Well, maybe it's not exactly a song. But it's something!

Please visit Ray here if you haven't already https://soundcloud.com/user-364196783-552705040 You'll be in for a treat.

Home Lonely

on your mark

get ready to

cannonball

into the blue



after swimming

sparkle all around you

catch the sound

breakers breaking



stop the boat

get ready to

pick a spot

to slip into



after swimming

as the sunlight bakes you

summer sips

on a sand dune



after swimming

after swimming

come swimming

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image by Leandro Crespi via Unsplash

After Swimming

Ray (https://soundcloud.com/user-364196783-552705040) and I went back to the well, and came back with this.

You Oughta See

Just for fun.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i’m comin’ around
i won’t back down
got a posy
i’m after you

i’m bringin’ a ring
forget everything
that i told you 
i am ready

god dammit if i have to
climb a mountain
i’ll man it with abandon
racing for you

you’re shootin’ me down
way down to the ground
still i saw you 
Seraphina

god dammit it if i have to
down a dragon
i’ll plan it for your pleasure
send it to me

has anybody
seen my baby
engine’s runnin’
get in

i’m down on my knees
cohabitees
for the weekend
will have to do

god dammit do you have to
always play me
god dammit do you have to
stove me in
god dammit it if i have to
slay a dragon

damn Phina

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Thanks to Jacques Dicroce, Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, Wheelwright and David Weiss for early listening, critique and encouragement.

Image from Daniel Radford via Unsplash

Seraphina

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

Wodwo and I return with another.

Please visit with Wodwo here: https://soundcloud.com/user-364196783-552705040

Cover art: Wodwo

The Pendulum Swings

an owl in an oak tree
logging his hours

fucked up and blowing smoke rings
my super powers

why we tryin’
     should we try
do we care 
     we don’t care
scarifying
     scarify
love affair

you kicked out all the windows
screamed in the shower

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

image by Ahmed Badawy via Unsplash

Idyll

For Tom V. and Richard L. with gratitude and much affection.

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gamma ray croquet
i’m comin’ over
auto da fe foreplay
i’m in

i crossed today

walk away renèe
i double dare you
ascension day today
climb in

i crossed today

i am clear
i am free
i don’t like it
get drinking!

ascension day
wrong way

i crossed today


I Crossed

Real time, live looped solo guitar improvisation. Gretsch guitar, pedal board, amplifier, one mic to one track.



2-5-16 (Aunt Trudy is back)

live looping improvisation later re-composed and augmented in studio






Wait

Like a lot of us these days, I have some extra hours on my hands. While looking to amuse myself at this most unamusing time, I made this. I hope it cheers you, too, and provides a few minutes pleasure. That is all it is for.

This music is also my version of whistling past the graveyard. One of many versions.

Please stay healthy. And let us be strong, and pick each other up when one of us is down.

Lockdown Cocktail

Improvisation, electric and acoustic guitar.

Hank

Words,Vocal Melody, Singing and Sampled Cello: Wheelwright https://soundcloud.com/wheelwright
Initial Music, Guitars, Bass: Jonathan Beckenstein
Drums: Cheesemont Paisley-Paisley @hypnopompetus

Fictive Sisters is a transatlantic collaboration of Wheelwright and Beckenstein. Our album Immaculate Distraction is available at: https://fictivesisters.bandcamp.com/album/immaculate-distraction

You can visit Wheelwright's page here; https://soundcloud.com/wheelwright
You'll be glad you did. He is a true songsmith.

bandcamp

We All Know How It Ends  (Wheelwright+Beckenstein)(Fictive Sisters)

A laboratory with an open bar and floating altar. Come on in! 

Here are various solo and collaborative projects - songs, soundscapes, live looped solo guitar improvisations. 

This project used to be called "imaginary friends", but it became too real for that name, as did many of you.

I hope you enjoy something you find here. Do feel free to be in touch, you never know what might happen.  

I also invite you to attend @hypnopompetus, a duo project with the illustrious Cheesemont Paisley-Paisley https://soundcloud.com/sel-sync, and Fictive Sisters, a transatlantic band with  the incomparable Wheelwright https://fictivesisters.bandcamp.com/album/immaculate-distraction.

Jonathan Beckenstein

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