Cast of Characters:

Mistermark – @user-432503709 – Mark – drums, VST upright bass, electric vibraphone, horns, high organ in the last section, percussion (shaker, hand claps), production, editing, mix, and composition

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Fender Custom Shop Tele Thinline electric guitar and mastering

J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ, electric piano, synthesizer

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – PRS semi hollow body electric guitar


This song began its life some 20 years ago recorded on Mark's old skool keyboard workstation as a bass line and drum beat, accentuated by a synth melody playing over some electric piano. It sat as that basic version until just recently, when Mark had gotten into horn arrangements, and wanted to try some out, thus creating the impetus for reviving this old tune. Plus, he wanted to get the Eclectic Collective to play the guitar and keys parts on it for a little extra jazzy pizzazz.
  He turned it over to the rest of the EC gang with a pretty clear vision of what he wanted structurally. Stephen was first up, adding his driving guitar to the fist part of every verse. Josh deftly chimed in with the response line in every verse. JJ then came into the mix last and sprinkled his magic electric piano and other keys throughout. After all of our parts were in the can, Mark went to work dutifully editing and mixing what you hear as the final product. Stephen then did his pro mastering work on it to add a little bit more shine.
 This was a lot of fun to put together. It doesn't feature all of the EC, but the other guys will be on many upcoming creations. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.



Clyde's Glide (Eclectic Collective)

lost in loveland

Cast of Characters:

J.J. Terrell–@j-j-terrell – piano, organ, composition
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar
TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– Suhr electric guitar, mix, and production
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –- four string Fender Precision Bass

This song began one creative Saturday evening several weeks ago with JJ coming up with it on his organ, piano, bass, and drums. He wrote it with the Eclectic Collective in mind and immediately shared it with the rest of us.
  Ken was the first to jump on it, adding his strong, Masonesque drums. Josh excitedly dove in once he had a beat to play off of. Then, it was time for the guitarists in the band to show off their skills. Stephen laid down the psychedelic, textural guitar you hear throughout, as well as the thrilling solo in the middle, starting around 1:25 and ending around 1:50. Tez did his best Dave Gilmour impression, adding rest of the fiery lead solo you hear throughout, as well. 
  Once it was in the can, we needed a mix, of course, and Stephen was kind enough to work his magic on the production.
  This is a perfect example of a JJ seed that took bloom with the EC. We all love working on his songs. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Desert  Moon Flower (Eclectic Collective)

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Gary Reeves: Lead Vocal
Terry Reeves: Spoken Vocal
Hans-Michael Albers: All instruments, Arrangement & Production

Video: youtu.be/4t-H-HHpQ20?si=_reTvkVVmF73vkRi

I was walking down Mare Street, Hackney
Climbing boots and back pack on
Looking for a song of mountains
I had climbed them many times before
Challenge may help to find another door

I’ve climbed arduous N.H.S mountains
Planted flags a'top of wedlock peaks
Hung upside down on magical fountains
With my muscles springing major leaks
My heart is growing smaller by the week

Stood and pointed at hours of darkness
Winds of silence a challenge of their own
Worn out boots a testament to distance
But the misery of counting my toes alone
Sixty three feet behind me as it goes

I have loved being a man of mountains
I hope many will profit from my deeds
I will try to climb just one more mountain
Slide down the other side to save my feet
At the bottom I'll need brand new cleats

This was written over 10 years ago as a George Formby style (Google the name if you’ve never heard of him) ukulele song - a mildly amusing message to Gal to let him know that I was fully aware of the mental health difficulties he was having and that I would always be there if he needed me.

Over the years, we spoke often about the song but nothing much came of it until Gal suggested slowing the tempo and giving it a kind of shuffle beat. As it was about him, I thought he should definitely sing the lead vocal, which I think works rather well. (*Vocalist’s note: It would help if I could still sing…)

You’ll find many personal references to Gal’s life in the lyrics. At the time it was written, he was 63, literally a fatal age for men in the extended Reeves family and he wasn’t having the best of times himself, still wrestling with the grief of a marriage break-up alongside the loss of his big brother and closest friend less than a year before. But even with all of this going on (and not always out of choice) he found there were plenty more mountains to climb.

The transition of the tune from Formby to Albers is a story in itself but suffice it to say that Hans somehow managed to transform it into this rather poignant opus.  He has also made a beautiful film to accompany the piece (see link above). All in all, it testifies perfectly to the reason why Gal’s cleats are somewhat care-worn...and he still has many mountains yet to climb.. (Terry Reeves)

MOUNTAIN MAN - CRIPPLE CLUB

Cast of Characters:

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick four string fretless bass, vocals, lyrics, and seed idea
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums 
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson custom T electric guitar
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – clavinet and VST sax     
Llanpsych-- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, mix, and production
Eclectic Collective -- composition

This song started its life as one of a batch of bass lines Josh came up with around the New Year holiday. He recorded it to a rudimentary drum loop, which Ken replaced perfectly with his own beat. Stephen joined the project next, adding his chordally flavorful, foundational guitar you hear underlying the entire song. Not to miss out on the guitaring, Tez came up with the ethereal guitar fills that float around in there. Mark came after Tez with his textural wah clavinet, also adding the wonderful sax solo you hear in the middle. 
  After it was done musically, Josh went back and wrote some lyrics and sang them, too.
  Once it was in the can, we asked Tez to do the honors of mixing it for us, which he did in his always expert fashion. 
  This is a fine example of the Eclectic Collective coming together to create a heartfelt song.  We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by Josh Clary:Sometimes I think about 
Things we used to talk about
Now I have to go without
Ever looking at your face x2
 
But I want you near me
Wish that you could hear me

What if we could ever reach
Out to the other each
But what would we say?
Is it just another routine day? x2
  
It makes my heart hurt bad
When I think of what I had
Now you’ve slipped away
Seems I saw you just the other day
 
Life can be really cruel
And I can be a fool
But I wish there were a way
I could hear what you would say

Loss (Eclectic Collective)

Link to the video

https://youtu.be/G3v5nrNtafI?si=9HqZYKMrK3_SEs5e


Lyrics
So who holds a key to feel 
their happy inside
and must madness always win 
when sanity slides
if true beauty’s only measured 
by the ugliest stares
why’d you still need to hear 
their magic three words
when holding out for a change 
won’t make a new you
guess maybe the smartest money’s 
still on the biggest fool
cos our wasted day weighs more 
every single year
and in the end you’ll cry drown 
your regretful dry tears

BUT I FOUND BLISS IN IGNORANCE 
THE MORE I SEE THE LESS I WANNA KNOW
TELL ME A STORY AND MAKE IT REAL
SELL ME A STORY JUST MAKE ME FEEL
COS I’M SICK OF LIVING THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS
THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS THROUGH THESE REPEATS
I’M SICK OF LIVING THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS
THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS IT’S ENDLESS REPEAT

Now go find your two reasons 
that get you through
cos nobody’s gonna save you 
from the ghosts of you
so take those chances to make
your feel real today
cos waiting round for forever 
it’s just so passe
and stop blaming tomorrow 
for choices never made
you never thought you’d made

BUT I FOUND BLISS IN IGNORANCE 
THE MORE I SEE THE LESS I WANNA KNOW
TELL ME A STORY AND MAKE IT REAL
SELL ME A STORY JUST MAKE ME FEEL
COS I’M SICK OF LIVING THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS
THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS THROUGH THESE REPEATS
I’M SICK OF LIVING THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS
THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS THROUGH THESE REPEATS
YEAH I’M SICK OF LIVING THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS
THROUGH THESE REPEAT SHOWS ON ENDLESS REPEAT
I’M SO TIRED OF GIVING IN ENDLESS REPEAT
TO GHOSTS THAT KEEP LIVING ON ENDLESS REPEAT
WITH THE MONEY AND POWER REPEATIN REPEATS
RULE THE MEN OF THE HOUR DEFENDING REPEATS
WHILE PEACE CIRCLES VICTIMS IN ENDLESS REPEAT
OUR SHOCK FACTORS DIE IN BIG SCREEN REPEATS
AS WARS AND THEIR SYSTEMS REPEAT AND REPEAT
SO INNOCENCE CAN DIE AS HISTORY REPEATS
INNOCENCE DIES ON ENDLESS REPEAT
INNOCENTS DIE IN ENDLESS REPEATS
INNOCENCE DIES ON ENDLESS REPEAT
INNOCENTS DIE IN ENDLESS REPEATS
THEIR INNOCENCE IS DYING
OUR INNOCENCE IS DYING
INNOCENTS ARE DYING
THE INNOCENCE OF DYING


The Innocence of Dying (Endless Repeats)

ain’t having it (no half stepping)…

Cast of Characters:
Cgmaness – open.spotify.com/album/42qOeOxPcclsxwxlPynFfL – Chris – Gretch bass, Guild Pelora electric guitar, SoundStone on a Harley Benton electric guitar, vocals, composition, mix, and production
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – organ
Llanpsych–@llanpsych –Tez– Fender Stratocaster electric guitar
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Roland Phantom synth
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Gibson Les Paul custom electric guitar

This song began as a mostly fully fleshed out idea from Chris. He presented it to the rest of Eclectic Collective as a bass line with a rhythm guitar chugging the goove. Awesomely powerful groove, but pretty stripped down compared with the final version.

We did this in an odd order this time, for no particular reason. Probably because Chris' bass groove was so strong, Mark was able to first add his ripping organ throughout, inspired by Deep Purple. Tez, again surprisingly, was able to add the fiery solos at the end and the intro, even before the drums were up. Although, we didn't have to wait long for that, because Ken filled them in perfectly, as he always does. Once the structure and rhythm section was complete, Josh decided to add the synth solo in the middle, at the crescendo, which he really enjoyed doing. Stephen came last to the party, but replaced Chris' rudimentary rhythm guitar with a fierocious, but more riff oriented, and less chordy line throughout.

Once it was in the bag, Chris was the natural choice to mix it, since his productions are always top quality, and it was his song to begin with. During the production, he also decided to add the guitar, including the an e-bow like device called a SandStone that sounds a bit like a synth, and vocal tones to the middle and end. He also added the vocalizations you hear in those parts, as well.

This is an example of an Eclecitic Collective song started by Chris, whose music we adore and with whom are always excited to work. His music is all amazing; check out his page if you haven't already. He is also on Spotify, which is where you'll find his new album, which is amazing! We hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as we enjoyed creating it.

The Collective - (Eclectic Collective) song by CGManess

The Beautiful Dark's Open Collab with Llanpsych guitars and mix
Catch the collab offer here
https://on.soundcloud.com/xTKmoK5ZNhk5nzkGD4

Thankful Treasures - with The Beautiful Dark

This is a collaboration with my friend xian3 https://on.soundcloud.com/QOm69lt9nGrn7W0dEL from SoundCloud. His original track had a rock flavor, but I halved the BPM and reimagined it with a tropical jungle vibe. I also got help from mozawa_*  https://on.soundcloud.com/CsHi8jD7VOjfujT9Dq on the percussion tracks. 
You can check out Xian3’s original version. https://on.soundcloud.com/U65g2z6R8LhU8NJ5N4

’Miss Terious’

Basically we're all the same Gifted with a body and a brain And a heart that beats us through all those ways Through glorious nights and fatal days
Still there's something...mysterious
We have changed the world so much In different ways we lost the touch But we don't want to take the blame There's no reason in this game Basically...
Still there's something...mysterious
Working hard in all different ways Winter, spring, summer and fall All the time again and again To deny who is to blame Basically...
Still there's something...mysterious
Still there' something more above A mysterious thing called love

Lyrics and Music by xian3
Percussion tracks by mozawa_*
Composition,Arrangement and Sampling collage by Synline.

Art by Henri Rousseau ’ Snake Charmer’

’Miss Terious’ Xian3=mozawa_*Synline

Manic riff for 2 tenor saxes held together (some of the time) by sensible flutes, 'bass' alto saxes and trad. beat. 
Pic. by NM - from hot air balloon trip in 2007...the first (and last).

Crosstown Dash

"Magic is what we do. Music is how we do it." -- Jerry Garcia

Welcome to my page, my peers, associates, friends, and musical family. I'm a lifelong, multi-instrumentalist musician who records prolifically and joyfully. You'll hear me play guitar, bass (regular four string, and four and five string fretless), mandolin, banjo, keys (piano, organ, synth), lap slide, sitar, and sing on my recordings here. I've been in a few dozen bands in my life, playing everything from bluegrass, jazz, rock, jam band, reggae, funk, afrobeat, Middle Eastern, traditional Irish, singer/songwriter, pop/covers, to experimental/avant garde. 
  Since I found SoundCloud a couple years ago, I've found many talented, creative people with whom to create music. However, in the summer of '23 I formed a band called The Eclectic Collective with some of my favorite musicians I've met through here. It started as a loose collective of musicians and coalesced into a core group of musicians who find other musicians with whom we'd like to make music, then run their songs through our process, and in effect add a full band. That core of The Eclectic Collective includes Tez (Llanpsych), J.J. Terrel, Ken (K2 and the Three), Stephen (Texmex Shaman), Chris (cgmaness), and Mark (mistermark). A couple of other musicians are frequent collaborators, as well, including Artur of Surfers Like Us, and Steve Vervaet of Steve's World. More recently, we've been joined by Carl of The Beautiful Dark fame. 
  The magic of music is amplified exponentially by each person adding to it. So, we really try to add our sorcery all kinds of music from all kinds of artists. Sometimes, we keep it within the group, but a lot of what we do is collaboration with other artists. Therefore these days, 100% of what I do is collaboration, within the group or with other artists on the side.
  I, and we, are also available for hire if you have a song or lyrics and you really want to add bigger instrumentation or a band and good production to it. 
  A small sampling of the artists whom I consider primary influences, and whom you will hear coming through my fingers include Phish, The Flaming Lips, The Grateful Dead, Radiohead, Rye Cooder, Steve Earle, Miles Davis, Fela Kuti, Arcade Fire, Mikey Dread, Yellowman, Purpleman, The Meditations, Michigan and Smiley, Lee Perry, Dillinger, Django Reinhardt, Impossible Recording Machine, The Allman Bros Band, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Bela Fleck, Les Claypool, Sam Bush, David Grissman, John Prine, Talking Heads, Beastie Boys, MMW, Moe., Morphine, Ween, Steve Lukather, Michael McDonald, John Abercrombie, Dave Holland, John Scofield, Victor Wooten,  Cannonball Adderly, Thelonious Monk, Flea, Parliament Funkadelic,  Frank Zappa, Prince Paul, Pete Rock, Thievery Corporation, Amon Tobin, Chet Baker, Joao Gilberto, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, Carol Kaye, Tame Impala, Mumford and Sons, Japanese Breakfast, LCD Soundsystem, Beach House, Sean Lennon, and Billy Strings, but of course there are many more. I also really like and am influenced by traditional Iranian, Palestinian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Sudanese, Mauritian, Somalian, Egyptian, West African, and Syrian music. I welcome anyone who plays non-western music to contact me for a collaboration, too.
 I'm overjoyed to have found my community on SoundCloud. This is a truly unique forum where everyone is sincerely trying to build each other up. The profoundly supportive and positive SoundCloud community has really opened up an exciting new world of collaboration for me. That is the main reason I'm in the Cloud, actually, to connect with other musicians and make music that I enjoy listening to, and hopefully others do, as well. I am ALWAYS looking to collaborate with interesting musicians, mostly though BandLab, which is where I record almost exclusively. It's a solid, free digital audio workstation hub where you can share recording projects, even if it's not where you make your recordings.
  Everything I do is live instrumental, not programmed, and using no computer beyond my phone. That's not to say that I would be opposed to using that kind of tool, it's just not my preferred medium with which to paint. If you like my music, please share it. If you want to collaborate, my BandLab handle is @bingo_pajama. Feel free to contact me at cornbreadband@hotmail.com, as well, even if you aren't on BandLab.
  If your music is primarily AI, please don't come around my page, as I'm not at all interested in complimenting a machine.
  Here's a link to music I've recorded live with a group of musicians here in Pittsburgh called The Northumberland Street Ramblers.
Check out The Northumberland Street Ramblers on #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/fU4Me

Loss (Eclectic Collective)

Entheogenic Psychonaut (Josh Clary)