You don't accuse, you don't moralize. You describe. That's what makes this song so good. 💫

Cool song Joe, enjoyed this one. Great hook!

Howdy Joe and how have you been? I'm been away from SoundCloud and am trying to catch up! Let me begin by saying that this is another one of your lyrical masterpieces. Our country is in disarray and I'm surprised the orangutan has put a red hat on the Statue of Liberty yet! France should ask for their beautiful statue back because we now are definitely not worthy of it! Outstanding job!👍😎✌🏼

this is the perfect way to get a political point across in these scary times. think you may have missed the "any similarity to real people or real events or real stupid red hats is entirely coincidental" caveat though. not plugging my own work / blowing my own trumpet but my latest one has perhaps a DS inspired point and video

Yes, I sure hope we keep this beautiful lady of liberty.

Your vocal is great, excellent lyrics too 🔥

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Terry Reeves: Vocals
Gary Reeves: Drums
Hans-Michael Albers: All other instruments, Arrangement and Production

Reaching the age of 60 can signal a difficult time in one’s future life but may also, if you so choose, be a time when there is much to which you can look forward. My wife Jo was 60 earlier this year and wasn’t wholly enamoured with the idea so, as a family, we decided to make it extra special for her. If anyone deserves to be spoilt rotten it is she, having had to put up with me for 37 years along with being the most wonderful Mother to 3 fantastic children. Our family means the world to her, especially since we were blessed with 2 beautiful grandchildren and what she loves most of all is having them gathered around her. Over the years, we have followed the Reeves’ tradition of making Christmas a time to push out the boat in right royal fashion and as soon as December begins our house is festooned with lights and decorations, creating a party atmosphere that stretches right into the early days of the New Year.
In the lyrics, you’ll find many references to moments that always bring a certain Yuletide brand of merriment. For example, our Golden Retriever, ‘Prince’ Marvin The Magnificent’, makes it his exclusive responsibility to collect Jo’s slippers as soon as her back is turned. Try as you might, he won’t let you have them back until He decides the time is right (see cover pic). For myself, I take on the combined mantle of Court Jester - without fail, the same jokes every year folks - and Dextrous Magician (hence ’Abracadabra!’). I have recently discovered a new audience for these sleights of hand (of which they never seem to tire) in the shape of said Grandchildren, Richard and Theo.
We eat and drink our fill, we laugh and we sing, for even in a world as mad as this there is always room for a month of unbridled fun, so you’ll certainly get no apology from me! If you can imagine such a thing, this year we have decided to crank things up a little to make it extra memorable for Jo, starting with this special song to celebrate all of the Christmas days she has known. She doesn’t know about it yet so let’s hope it’s the catalyst for her best one ever. For me, I’m sure they must all have been memorable, merely because Jo has been there to see them.
Sincere thanks to all our loyal, generous listeners. Hope you all have a Peaceful, Relaxing and above all Happy Christmas & New Year!
ABRACADABRA! SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS!
(Terry Reeves)

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Sixty four to a twenty four phase
Family singing classic hit songs
Melodic vibes, help Jo party long
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Repeat the Father Christmas craze
Dressed in red with individual style
A gift for Dear Jo and a family smile
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Experience a life of generations
Family growing with imagination
Sixty Christmas Celebrations
Giving all our love for inspiration

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Making sure the groundhog behaves
Repeating good times, fun we have
I think we’ve heard that joke before, Dad
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Deja Vu theatre of Panto plays
Shouting out loud “it’s behind you”
Prince Marvin knows, Jo fits the shoe
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Entertainment in grandad’s matinees
Abracadabra, another magical spell
Rich and Theo know but never tell
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS
ABRACADABRA! ABRACADABRA! ABRACADABRA!
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS - CRIPPLE CLUB

A bit corrected version of this track now is online.
A little track that I've made today in couple hours for UJAM Discord contest https://www.ujam.com/blog/subcraft-remix-contest-waiting-for-a-sign/ for track remix with a use of SUBCRAFT - sub bass and kick drum synth. https://www.ujam.com/subcraft/
Of course NO AI INVOLVED.
You can listen to the original mix here: https://soundcloud.com/ujam-instruments/subcraft-audio-demo

Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get on the podium, but you can listen to the winners on this playlist: (I will link this playlist when it is officially released)

I've used:
Ableton Live 11 Standard
ujam USYNTH Drive (which I got for free)
ujam SUBCRAFT - trial version
ujam FX Finisher Micro (free)
ujam FX Reverb 1 (free)
Kontakt player 8:
Heavyocity Foundations Staccato Strings (free)
Project Sam Free Orchestra 2 - Bold Legato Brass (free)
iZotope Ozone 9 Elements (I got it for free)
iZotope Ozone 11 Elements (I got it for free)
Arturia Filter MS-20 (got it with my Audio Interface, I think)
Valhalla Supermassive (free)
Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Level compressor (got it on UA giveaway last year for free)
Analog Obsession BUSTERse classic console compressor (free)

Picture in thumbnail Freepik: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/portrait-humanitarian-volunteer_10855790.htm

Waiting for a Sign (R.U.R.'s REMIX with SUBCRAFT)

This song was written eight years ago as the darkness of the first Trump presidency was making itself known. And now once again we have the unthinkable -- this disastrous human being with power at his fingers.  And he's already busy spreading lies, fear, and hate.

Liisa Pentti https://soundcloud.com/liisapentti did guest vocals on this 2019 version, and it's the definitive one -- I love what she did.

Ever Since the Rainbow

ever since the rainbow left the evening sky
waiting and hoping seem such a waste of time
into the air we fly into the seams we dive
as if the dust of a broken down dream
could start the engine fire

the passage of time this endless ennui
rivers and threads between you and me
sleep and dream again and again
an old man's finger tapping on a window pane
we dream and breath we love and grieve
remember that we share the same blood and air

the innocent sunrise the whispering day
dark clouds rising that will pass away
I know that these things that bind you to the common marrow
will rise up in your veins to remind you
remember that we share the same blood and air

Spotify Link

Ever Since the Rainbow

Stefan Kraft added some beautiful orchestral sounds to Debra's piano piece. Here I used the exactly same vocals as in the previous version with just the piano.

Reverence JFC (based on Debra Buesking / Stefan Kraft instrumental)

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) - Dance Version

Mr. President, a moment if you please
Let me say to USA as nicely as I can
To leave it along and let us just be friends
Talkin' 'bout my country, my true North, Strong & Free
And like the song says, baby, We Stand On Guard for Thee

I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I stand on guard for thee, that's my fate now
I don't wannabe, your 51st state, no

Friends like us gotta find a way
To make things right for the USA
Friends and family across the border
It's elbows up when we get in the corner
Where we live is happy home
Reaching for something that ain't your own
We understand you want to grow
Our advice, just leave it alone

Mr. President, a moment if you please
We used to be like brothers now you're coming after me
Mm-hmm we fought together, died together too
And I can't believe this nightmare is all because of you
So let me say to USA as nicely as I can
To leave it along and let us just be friends
Talkin' 'bout my country, my true North, Strong & Free
And like the song says, baby, We Stand On Guard for Thee

I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I stand on guard for thee, that's my fate now
I don't wannabe your 51st state, no

C'mon, I don't wannabe
Never wannabe
I really don't wanna be
I like you very much but I don't wanna be your 51st state

I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I stand on guard for thee, that's my fate now
I don't wannabe your 51st state, no

Cover Art: Young King Henry, Todd J McLean

All rights reserved

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) [Dance]

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

SOS (Distress Signal Part 3)

Inspired by “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, 1883.
Copyright 2025

They got on boats, and they sailed across the ocean hoping for a better life
They left behind poverty, famine, hardship and strife
She lifted her lamp behind the golden door
She welcomed them with open arms 
But we don’t need those people any more 
We’ll use robots to tend our farms
There’s an angry mob wearing red caps
And they’re pulling on a rope
They’re trying to knock down that statue that gave so many people hope.
They say a rising tide lifts all boats but now it’s every nation for itself
As the billionaires and oligarchs accumulate more wealth
We’re all just living on this rock floating in the vastness of space
You’d think we’d find a way to co-exist as one human race
There’s an angry mob wearing red caps
And they’re pulling on a rope
They’re trying to knock down that statue that gave so many people hope.
Someday if you’re standing there waiting at the pearly gates
With a bunch of other people waiting in line to get into heaven
And you’re filling out God’s paperwork so you can immigrate 
How will answer that question did you love or did you hate 
There are people who call themselves Christians who don’t practice what they preach
They see a man whose down on his luck, and they consider him a human leech
There’s an angry mob wearing red caps
And they’re pulling on a rope
They’re trying to knock down that statue that gave so many people hope.
There’s an angry mob wearing red caps
And they’re pulling on a rope
They’re trying to knock down that statue that gave so many people hope.

Angry Mob Wearing Red Caps

This is an original song I recorded some years ago that describes the transition when seeing your son come of age as you (the parent) has to let go and adjust to a changed role in his life. Some regrets occur, thinking that the time to do certain things with your child has come and gone, perhaps you could/should have done more.
This was recorded back when I wrote it, so my recording techniques were not very advanced and I lost the master, left with just an MP3. I want to thank Nat Daniels and her production skills for helping make the most of improving the sound, although there was only limited opportunity to undo all its flaws. She also added some lovely piano parts to help replace many of my original xylophone parts which had faded considerably. Despite the rough quality, I hope the sentiment conveys. (note: Neddu was a nickname my son was given during his infancy which should help explain the lyrics)

All music written and performed by Craig Durgy
Additional production rework and piano overdubs by Nat Daniels
©2025 Craig Durgy / Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics:  Written by Craig Durgy
You won’t need me as you walk out that door
These eighteen years were what a father’s for
But change is not an ending
You know that I’ll be sending my love

Can’t help but feel regrets, a childhood's gone
Lost chances sometimes hit as you move on
I guess that it’s just me though, 
It was just meant to be, so go
And I’ll watch Neddu grow

I still can see you, coming in this world
Red, blue and green, you cried, your flag unfurled
We played, explored together, 
And Mom how you upset her so
Just watching Neddu grow

That day you ran out in the pouring rain
And dashed head first to surf those flooded drains
The raging storm soon hid you
I wondered Ned where did you go

And still a glimpse of all our backyard games
Now all your friends converge, just not the same
I stand here washing dishes, a man here watching wishes blow
Away as Neddu grows

I still can see you, coming in this world
Red, blue and green, you cried, your flag unfurled
We played, explored together, 
And Mom how you upset her so
Just watching Neddu grow

Watching My Son Grow

entirely created with VST - solo blown with breathcontroller / EWI + jazz chello
image by 愚木混株 Cdd20 on pixabay

Dreaming allowed

Cast of Characters:
Joe Stroffolino-- @joseph-stroffolino -- Taylor 114ce acoustic guitar, main vocals, harmony vocals, lyrics, composition
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums and percussion
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –- four string Fender Precision Bass, and Roland organ
TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson Custom T electric guitar, mix, mastering, and production

This song began when Joe, feeling a bit nostalgic, wrote the lyrics and composed it on his acoustic guitar. He recorded it and sang it with expert harmonies, then decided to share it with Eclectic Collective. We were all very excited to get work on our second song with Joe, as we all admire his songwriting.
First up was Tez this time, oddly enough. He was able to identify all the fill spots and light up the solo without the rest of us even adding anything yet. Next came Ken, who usually goes first, adding his steady grooving drums and tasty percussion. Once the drums were down, Josh completed the rhythm section by adding his fretted bass. He also worked out an organ part to give the whole sound a bit of thickness. Also adding some thickness and texture, Stephen added a clean electric rhythm part, as well.
Once we had it in can we asked Stephen to mix and produce it for us, which he did in his always expert fashion.
This, as mentioned, is Eclectic Collective's second song with Joe, and we all enjoyed bringing it to life with him. He's a wonderful collaborator and an all around good dude. Do yourself a favor and go check out his page, which is rich in great songs. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.

Original lyrics by Joe Stroffolino:

If you find yourself in trouble and you think you've lost your way.
Here's hoping that you find a path to a better day.
I sure hope that you're happy. I'm wishing you the best.
I hope you find what you're looking for as you continue on your quest.
I hope you find all the answers to all those questions vexing you.
I hope you can find a way not to bite off more than you can chew.
I sure hope that you're happy. I'm wishing you the best.
I hope you find what you're looking for as you continue on your quest.
You spread your wings and you flew so far away from me.
I hope that you're enjoying your new reality
All those places that you said that you wanted to see.
I hope they're as good as you expected them to be.
I want you to know that you hold a special place in my heart.
I think about you often even though we are apart.
They say that when you love somebody sometimes you gotta be willing to let them go.
You gotta let them spread their wings and fly wherever the wind decides to blow.
I sure hope that you're happy. I'm wishing you the best.
I hope you find what you're looking for as you continue on your quest.
I hope that you're happy. I hope that you're doing well. I sure hope that you're doing swell.You spread your wings and you flew so far away from me.
I hope that you're enjoying your new reality

Hope That You Are Happy (Eclectic Collective with Joe Stroffolino)

Songs with a twinge of humor (and some a bit more serious).  
I do not use AI to create my songs. 
Recently I have had the urge to pick up my guitars (Taylor 114ce and Fender Squire) and I have been trying to use more guitar in my songs.  
My go to .vst plug ins are  EZkeys 2, EZ Bass and  EZ drummer 3) and my DAW is Logic Pro 11. 
I welcome your comments and enjoy listening to all the great music on SoundCloud. 
All songs are originals and copyrighted.

Angry Mob Wearing Red Caps

Joe Stroffolino

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